For Ohio State, It’s Showdown Time

Iowa expected Purdue to rely on its wide-open passing game Saturday.

Purdue changed the plan.

Jerod Void ran for a career-high 120 yards and two touchdowns against one of the nation’s top run defenses, and the No. 16 Boilermakers overpowered No. 10 Iowa, 27-14.

“We wanted to run the ball and we did just that,” Coach Joe Tiller said. “That is the best Jerod has run, in terms of power running, all season.”

Void’s strong performance gave Purdue (8-2) its first 5-1 record in Big Ten play since 1979. The Boilermakers also moved into a three-way tie for first with Michigan and Ohio State headed into a showdown Saturday at the seventh-ranked Buckeyes.

For Purdue, it was an impressive performance against the nation’s No. 4 run defense.

Void carried the ball a career-high 34 times, frequently breaking tackles and running over defenders.

The Hawkeyes, who were allowing 72.0 yards rushing per game and had not given up more than 75 yards in their previous seven games, yielded 77 in both halves.

“We respected their pass game; that was one of our main efforts -- to really stop the pass,” Iowa defensive end Howard Hodges said. “But they came out there today and executed the run game.”

Iowa (7-3, 3-3) gave up 27 points, tying a season high, and had its worst regular-season defeat since a 28-point loss to Ohio State on Oct. 21, 2000.