Purdue ends Michigan’s streak of bowls at 33

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue’s Justin Siller and Greg Orton tossed out Michigan’s generations-long streaks of success.

Siller passed for three touchdowns and ran for another in his first career start, and Orton lateraled to Desmond Tardy after a catch for the final score with 26 seconds left in the Boilermakers’ 48-42 victory over slumping Michigan on Saturday.

The win by Purdue (3-6, 1-4 Big Ten) snapped a five-game losing streak and assured Michigan (2-7, 1-4) of its first losing season since 1967, ending any possibility the Wolverines had to extend their streak of 33 straight bowl appearances.

Michigan, which has lost five in a row, tied the game at 42 with 1:20 to go on the third touchdown run by Brandon Minor.

But Siller, starting in place of injured Curtis Painter, quickly passed 18 yards to Keith Smith and 20 yards to Tardy, taking Purdue to the Michigan 35. After a 3-yard run by Siller, he passed 4 yards to Orton, who flipped the ball to Tardy for the go-ahead score.

Michigan’s desperation heave into the end zone with no time remaining fell harmlessly to the turf, sending the Wolverines to a school-record seventh loss.

Orton also had a touchdown reception. Kory Sheets, who rushed for three touchdowns, had the third TD catch from Siller, who finished 21 of 34 for 266 yards passing.