A Purdue football losing streak in Big Ten Conference play continued, but they showed promising signs in Barry Odom’s first league game.
Still, a 33-17 loss to USC showed plenty to improve upon, such as red zone inefficiency, and the defense keeping points off the board. Counterpoint, though, is the Boilermakers held the Trojans’ offense to 26 points when taking away the whacky 70-yard pick-6 by 360-pound defensive lineman Jamaal Jarrett.
This game seemingly had everything, including a three-hour, 15-minute weather delay. Here’s how it unfolded:
USC drives down field for field goal before time expires; Purdue football can’t add on as game ends
The Trojans capitalized on the interception with a 19-yard field goal by Ryon Sayeri, who finished 4 for 5. It capped a seven-play drive, all runs, which included a personal foul penalty on Tahj Ra-El after a play.
The Boilers then went backwards on four plays, leading to a final kneel down.
USC 33, Purdue 17
Ryan Browne throws another interception in the red zone. Purdue football losing to USC in fourth quarter
With a chance to cut the deficit to one score while in the red zone, quarterback Ryan Browne threw a third interception. He pulled the ball on a play-action, stared down receiver Nitro Tuggle and safety Bishop Fitzgerald sprinted through the route for his second interception and returned it 33 yards.
That’s five red zone trips for the Boilermakers and just two scores: a field goal and a touchdown.
USC 30, Purdue 17, 5:37 Q4
Purdue defense holds strong again as USC kicker doinks field goal
The Boilermakers have to play perfect to complete a comeback against USC, and it started with a defensive stand and a miss from near-automatic kicker Ryon Sayeri. He missed from 37 yards, doinking it off the upright, after making from 24, 37 and 48 yards already.
Purdue gets the ball back at its own 20.
USC 30, Purdue 17, 8:24 Q4
Ryan Browne hits Nitro Tuggle for touchdown in red zone: Purdue football score vs USC
Quarterback Ryan Browne pulled the ball from running back Devin Mockobee and found Nitro Tuggle who had inside position on a slant route for a 9-yard touchdown pass to cut the USC lead to two possessions. It was an eight-play, 63-yard drive and the first red-zone trip in four tries to result in a touchdown. Two were interceptions and the other was a field goal.
USC 30, Purdue 17, 14:17 Q4
USC big man touchdown: Defensive lineman Jamaal Jarrett intercepts Ryan Browne for 70-yard touchdown. Jamaal Jarrett weight
How about Jamaal Jarrett? A pass from Purdue quarterback Ryan Browne was tipped and stayed floating above the line of scrimmage. Jarrett caught it and the 360-pound defensive lineman ran 70 yards for the touchdown with nobody catching him.
USC 30, Purdue 10, 2:15 Q3
Purdue defense again holds USC to a field goal
The Boilermakers are hanging around. The defense stepped up with a pair of pass breakups, first by Hudauri Hines and then by Mani Powell. That forced the Trojans into a 53-yard field goal by Ryon Sayeri, who is 3-for-3 on the night.
USC 23, Purdue 10, 5:01 Q3
Purdue football trick play leads to first touchdown vs USC
In one of the more bizarre plays, the Boilermakers scored a 26-yard touchdown run credited to quarterback Ryan Browne. He threw it backwards to the right side of the formation to Michael Jackson III. Jackson then threw it backward, more horizontal, on a lateral toward Browne, but a USC defender couldn’t catch it, stopped playing and Browne picked it up with a convoy of blockers and raced 34 yards for the touchdown.
He was seen on the sideline after the review yelling, “Let’s f—— go!”
It was the first rushing touchdown USC allowed this season.
USC 20, Purdue 10, 8:47 Q3
USC scores first but Purdue defense holds them to field goal
Ryon Sayeri stays perfect with a second field goal makes, this time from 37 yards. The score was set up by Jayden Maiava’s deep pass to Ja’Kobi Lane for 42 yards.
USC 20, Purdue 3, 12:15 Q3
Purdue football score today vs USC: Halftime score, stats in Big Ten college football game
Who knows how the Boilermakers feel trailing 17-3 at halftime. They wasted an opportunity for points with a red-zone interception but have been gashed defensively for big plays and steady drives. The defensive line, at times, has looked good and gotten pressure, but the defensive backs can’t keep up with two likely NFL receivers on USC.
USC has outgained Purdue 263-134 with 184 of those yards coming through the air. Jayden Maiava is 11 for 14 for 184 yards with Ja’Kobi Lane catching two passes for 73 yards and Makai Lemon with a team-high three catches for 47 yards. Four other players have caught passes.
Purdue is 1 for 7 on third-down conversions. They’ve been helped by USC committing six penalties for 70 yards, extending drives at several times. Ryan Browne is 8 for 14 for 96 yards with the across-body pick. Tight end George Burhenn has three catches for 25 yards and running back Devin Mockobee has 43 yards rushing on eight carries.
Cradle of Quarterbacks legend Gary Danielson calls Purdue football game vs USC from field
The Boilermakers are set to honor Cradle of Quarterbacks member Gary Danielson during their game vs CBS. Danielson is retiring after 36 years and is on the field at Ross-Ade Stadium, calling the game from a different vantage point.
USC running back Waymond Jordan scores touchdown to take two-score lead on Purdue football
The Trojans seemingly got whatever they wanted on a touchdown drive that Waymond Jordan finished with a 6-yard touchdown drive. The 75-yard drive lasted 13 plays with three passes totaling between 11 and 14 yards to give the drive enough chunks to keep Purdue’s defense off sequence.
USC 17, Purdue 3, 3:18 Q2
Purdue football coach Barry Odom on USC quarterback Jayden Maiava
Both Purdue coach Barry Odom and USC quarterback Jayden Maiava were together at UNLV. Here is more on their relationship that was referred to on CBS.
Purdue kicker Spencer Porath gives Purdue football score to cut into USC lead
Brownsburg native Spencer Porath is now 4-for-4 on the season after making a 39-yard field goal to get the Boilermakers on the board. It capped a 10-play, 56-yard drive that was helped by a pair of personal foul penalties by USC.
USC 10, Purdue 3, 10:49 Q2
USC leaps Purdue shield, leading to Boilermakers first down
A weird rule that doesn’t often come up, a USC special teams player leaped over the shield to try and block Purdue’s punt. It led to a 15-yard penalty and a first down for Purdue.
Quarterback Jayden Maiava touchdown run gives USC two-score lead on Purdue football
Jayden Maiava has been great through the air — 6 for 7 for 147 yards — but put USC up by two scores with a 3-yard touchdown run to start the second quarter.
USC 10, Purdue 0, 14:54 Q2
USC passing game has explosive plays against Purdue football defense
There is a clear discrepancy in terms of talent between USC’s wide receivers and Purdue’s defensive backs. All five explosive plays for the Trojans have come through the air, and total 151 yards — an average of 30.2 per play.
The Trojans are inside the Purdue 5 once again after settling for a field goal in the first quarter.
USC 3, Purdue 0, End 1
Ryan Browne throws interception in end zone as Purdue football misses out on points in red zone
After coming off for a snap, Ryan Browne was flushed to his left and threw across his body looking for an open EJ Horton Jr. But USC defensive back Bishop Fitzgerald broke up the pass, bobbled it and secured it for an interception in the end zone.
It was a costly mistake after marching 72 yards in eight plays to the USC 3.
Malachi Singleton enters the game for Purdue football
The Boilermakers “have a package” for backup quarterback Malachi Singleton, who came in for one play to run a designed quarterback run.
Purdue football holds USC to opening score, but only a field goal after goal line stand
Credit the proverbial bend-but-don’t-break defense that Purdue had on the goal line. They stuffed USC for a loss of 4 on a swing pass on third-and-goal from the 3. The Trojans settled for a 24-yard field goal by Ryon Sayeri
USC 3, Purdue 0, 7:39 Q1
USC big play: Quarterback Jayden Maiava hits Ja’Kobi Lane for a 59-yard gain against Purdue
Purdue had a prime opportunity to get off the field but the vaunted USC passing attack struck. Jayden Maiava hit a wide-open receiver beyond the defense and Ja’Kobi Lane made it a 59-yard catch-and-run.
Nitro Tuggle slips on wet field after lengthy weather delay, rain as Purdue football punts to USC
An unfortunate opportunity was Nitro Tuggle running an out route with space, but he slipped on a field that has been drained but can’t totally avoid moisture after the 3-hour, 15-minute delay.
It force Purdue to punt, and punter Jack McAllister landed a 41-yard punt at the USC 9, where it was fair caught.
Devin Mockobee picks up Purdue football first down on fourth down
The offensive line struggled to block on a pair of pass plays by Ryan Browne. That forced Browne to scramble for 9 yards on third down, and then handed off to running back Devin Mockobee who picked up a first down on fourth-and-1.
Purdue football vs USC to start after weather delay. What TV channel is Purdue football game on?
The Boilermakers are set to play USC after a 3-hour, 15-minute weather delay. Fans are back in the stands and a CBS graphic reads, “the storms are finally over!”
Estimated start time for Purdue football game vs USC. When will the weather delay end?
At long last, there will be football after what will amount to a more-than-three-hour delay. Purdue officials said that the gates are expected to open at 6:15 p.m. with the game restarting at 6:45 p.m. That is as long as there isn’t another lightning strike within a 10-mile radius of Ross-Ade Stadium.
Purdue football vs USC weather delay updates: When was the last lightning strike? When will the game start?
The last lightning strike within a 10-mile radius at Ross-Ade Stadium was 5:31 p.m. The 30-minute clock restarts with each lightning strike and once it ends, teams will be allowed onto the field, and fans in the stands, before a warm-up period to start the game.
Purdue football vs USC weather delay updates: Lightning strikes, heavy rain subsiding but no start time yet
There still is no start time yet for Purdue’s Big Ten opener against USC. A live report on the CBS broadcast by sideline reporter Jenny Dell was encouraging: blue skies and sunshine. However, there are still hurdles to clear until the game can begin.
A thunderstorm cell is still within the 10-mile radius of Ross-Ade Stadium, meaning lightning is present. Each lightning strike leads to a 30-minute delay, and then there will be a lengthy build up for players when they’re able to take the field.
Fans who had left were lined up outside Ross-Ade Stadium but not yet allowed in. Others were still on the concourse.
CBS reported there were more than 900 lightning strikes and 1.25 inches of rain. Teams were pulled from the field at 3:11 p.m. USC took the field for warmups at 2:41 and Purdue entered at 2:56.
When will Purdue football game vs USC begin? Weather delay continues, rain and lightning update
Things are lightening up around Ross-Ade Stadium, though the stans remain empty with fans pushed into the concourse. What once was a steady rain has since lightened as the severe thunderstorm warning expired at 5 p.m.
There is still no update on what time the game may begin. It’s unclear when the last lightning strike was. Each one resets a 30-minute clock that, once it expires, leads into a 10-minute warmup period before the game begins. Plus, fans would need to be welcomed back into the stadium.
What are fans, players doing during weather delay for Purdue football vs USC? Severe thunderstorm warning, weather delay, lightning, rain
CBS is discussing what to do if you’re a player during the weather delay as it is a downpour at Ross-Ade Stadium. Fans have evacuated and there is a glimmer of sunlight overlooking the stadium as it continues to rain. But each lightning bolt sets a 30-minute delay plus a 10-minute warmup period for teams.
The CBS studio crew recommended players taking their pads off. USC players were shown laying and stretching on mats. Sideline reporter Jenny Dell reported that Purdue players had music playing in their locker room and that they won’t begin stretching until a start time is set.
Dell said there was a severe thunderstorm warning until 5 p.m. and that storms may produce hail.
Updated weather forecast for Purdue football vs USC game. When will the rain, lightning, weather delay end? Indiana weather radar for Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025
The Weather Channel has updated its forecast for the Purdue football game vs USC at Ross-Ade Stadium, which has since been evacuated for the safety of fans. The Weather Channel now estimates rain ending around 5:45 p.m. after previously saying it would at 4:30. Chances for rain decrease to 15% by 6 p.m. according to TWC.
The lightning delay continues without an estimation of when it will end. Each lightning strike resets the clock for a 30-minute delay, and then a 10-minute warm-up period for teams. Plus fans will have to be let back into Ross-Ade Stadium.
There is a radar-indicated severe thunderstorm warning between Rensselaer and West Lafayette.
Why is Purdue football delayed vs USC? When will college football game start?
Lightning has caused a delay of the Big Ten college football game between Purdue and USC. Officials said that a mandated 30-minute delay would be up and the game would not begin until “at least 3:50 p.m.”
That, obviously, has come and gone with the stands still evacuated and teams in their locker rooms, and no word yet on when it may start. Each lightning strike resets the 30-minute timer. Teams will be permitted a 10-minute warmup afterwards. The last lightning strike happened at 4 p.m., as seen by IndyStar’s Nathan Baird.
Fans were instructed to evacuate Ross-Ade Stadium and seek shelter at Lambert Fieldhouse, Mackey Arena or Holloway Gymnasium. Some simply stayed on the concourse, though.
The game will be broadcast on CBS.
Lightning delay causes Ross-Ade Stadium evacuation. When will Purdue football vs USC start?
Thunderstorms are moving through and around West Lafayette this evening. As such, lightning caused a delay in the scheduled 3:30 p.m. start time. Officials announced a delay until “at least 3:50 p.m.,” but it figures to be much later.
Sighting of lightning causes a 30-minute delay. Teams are then allowed a 10-minute warm-up. Each new lightning occurrence triggers another 30-minute delay.
Plus, Ross-Ade Stadium was evacuated as a result.
Cradle of Quarterbacks great Gary Danielson previews Purdue football vs USC
While waiting for the weather to pass and the game to start, enjoy Gary Danielson on the BoilersXTRA Podcast with Purdue insiders Nathan Baird and Sam King.
When will Purdue football game vs USC start? Is Purdue football game vs USC delayed? Estimated start time for Big Ten college football game delayed by severe weather, evacuation
The Boilermakers and Trojans will not being their game at its scheduled start. Officials said the game is delayed until “at least 3:50 p.m.,” which is at least 20 minutes. Ross-Ade Stadium was evacuated due to severe weather in the area.
The Weather Channel’s most recent forecast calls for rain being out of the West Lafayette area around 4:45 p.m. The chance of rain drops to 18% at 5 p.m.
Ross-Ade Stadium evacuation due to severe weather in West Lafayette. When will Purdue football game vs USC start?
It’s reasonable to believe Purdue’s Big Ten opener against USC will not start at 3:30 p.m. as officials have ordered an evacuation of Ross-Ade Stadium due to the threat of severe weather. See the forecast and radar below this post.
Indiana weather radar, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025: Rain chances for Purdue football vs USC in West Lafayette. Will game be delayed?
The Weather Channel is forecasting rain continuing around West Lafayette until 4:30 p.m. It forecasts an 88% chance of rain at the 3:30 p.m. scheduled kickoff time for Purdue’s game against USC. The chances of rain decrease to 15%
USC football injury report at Purdue. Who is out for Trojans?
Lincoln Riley’s team will be without six players against the Boilermakers: Zacharyus Williams, Prophet Brown, Prince Strachan, Bryan Jackson, Alex Graham and Caden Chittenden.
Purdue football injury report vs USC. Who is out? Crew Wakely injury status
The Big Ten availability report was released two hours before kickoff and several players remain out for Purdue. They include: Chauncey Magwood, De’Nylon Morrissette, Jalil Hall and Jon Grimmett. Redshirt freshman defensive back Isaiah Needam is a new addition to being out.
Of note, senior defensive back Crew Wakley is listed as questionable. Nature of injuries are not disclosed on the reports.
Meanwhile sophomore linebacker Winston Berglund is available.
When is Purdue vs USC game in Week 3 of the college football season? What date is Purdue at Southern California football?
Purdue vs USC is Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette.
What time does USC vs Purdue game start today, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025? When does Purdue football vs USC begin?
Purdue vs USC begins at 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025.
What channel is Purdue football vs USC game today? How to watch USC at Purdue on TV
TV: CBS with Brad Nessler (play-by-play), Gary Danielson (analyst) and Jenny Dell (sideline)
Watch Purdue football vs USC on Fubo (free trial)
Where to stream, watch Purdue vs USC football football game today, Saturday, September 13, 2025? Streaming Purdue football at Ross-Ade Stadium
Streaming options include Fubo, which offers a free trial.
Catch Purdue vs USC on Fubo
How to watch, stream the Purdue football vs USC game today, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025? Streaming Purdue vs USC at Ross-Ade Stadium
Catch all the action between Purdue football and USC from West Lafayette on CBS (Fubo offers a free trial).
Watch Purdue and USC live
How to listen to Purdue football vs USC game today on radio, Saturday, Sept. 13? Streaming USC vs Purdue at Ross-Ade Stadium
Purdue football vs USC tickets
Ticket prices for the Purdue vs Southern Illinois game at Ross-Ade Stadium start at $38 on StubHub.
Buy Purdue football tickets
Who is favored between Purdue football and USC? Predictions, picks, betting odds for Purdue vs USC
Odds courtesy of BetMGM
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Purdue football vs USC final score, recap: Bizarre plays, whacky weather in Odom’s first Boilers loss
Reporting by Evan Frank, Chris Sims, Nathan Baird and Aaron Ferguson, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
