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COLUMBUS, Ohio (Ticker) -- The cheers must have been music to Steve Bellisari's ears. The oft-maligned quarterback threw three touchdown passes -- two in the fourth quarter -- as Ohio State routed 24th-ranked Purdue, 35-9, in a Big Ten Conference contest. Bellisari, who was booed at Ohio Stadium earlier in the season, helped the Buckeyes pull away in the fourth period, tossing TD passes of 13 yards to Ben Hartsock and seven yards to Chris Vance. "We stepped it up in the second half against a good team today," Bellisari said. "I wasn't really doing anything different today. They had a lot of people in the box trying to stop the run. That's something they've (the defense) been doing all year." Bellisari overcame five sacks to complete 14-of-20 passes for a season-high 263 yards for the Buckeyes, who outgained Purdue, 429-211. "Steve and the receivers would pass every down if we let them," Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said. "They get excited when we turn on the film and there are eight, nine men in the box and there's a tough run team we're going to face." Vance grabbed seven passes for 138 yards, both career highs. Among his grabs was a spectacular one-handed reception in the fourth quarter. "I just wanted to come out and have a complete day," he said. "Steve did a good job throwing the ball. I practice one-handed catches in practice all the time." Ohio State (6-3, 4-2 Big Ten) also recorded a pair of safeties and intercepted Purdue quarterback Brandon Hance three times. "Our goal was to give up 13 points or less," Ohio State linebacker Matt Wilhelm said. "We came out aggressive and turned it up a notch in the second half. We wanted to force their quarterback to make decisions. If the defense does that for the rest of the year, we're going to see a good second-half defensive ballclub." The Buckeyes have won two straight since a 29-27 loss at Penn State and became bowl eligible under first-year coach Jim Tressel. They can gain at least a share of the Big Ten title by wining their final two games against Illinois and Michigan, who are tied atop the conference. "That's something we want," Bellisari said. "That's something we want to shoot for. If we want to be where we want to be, then we have to go undefeated in November." Purdue (5-3, 3-3) suffered its second straight loss and has dropped three of its last four after a 4-0 start. A redshirt freshman, Hance's inexperience has been a factor during Purdue's slide. He completed just 10-of-22 passes for 122 yards against Ohio State and was replaced by Kyle Orton in the fourth quarter. "I learned a long time ago after a disappointing performance I am better off keeping my mouth shut until I have a chance to review the film," Purdue coach Joe Tiller said. Saturday was a far cry from last year's game against Ohio State when Drew Brees completed 39-of-65 passes for 455 yards and four touchdowns in a 31-27 victory. "I thought we would be better (without Brees), not significantly better, but better than we are overall," Tiller said. "I am not that disappointed in the quarterback. I would not have substituted at that position but the game was out of hand, so it was an opportunity to play a young guy (Orton)." The Buckeyes also had the edge on the ground, outrushing the Boilermakers, 166-71. Jonathan Wells rushed for 101 yards on 21 carries for Ohio State, while Purdue's Montrell Lowe was held to just 30 yards on 14 carries. Wells has surpassed the century mark in three straight games. After Ohio State jumped to a 12-0 lead, the Boilermakers closed to 12-9 at the half on Travis Dorsch's 41-yard field goal and Hance's one-yard TD run with 2:04 left in the second period. But the Buckeyes quickly answered in the second half, taking a 19-9 lead on Bellisari's 53-yard TD strike to Michael Jenkins 2:26 into the third quarter. During a halftime ceremony, Ohio State retired the uniform number No. 27 of former Heisman Trophy winner Eddie George.
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