Syracuse scores touchdown in final seconds to take down Purdue during fourth quarter shootout

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Garrett Shrader hit Oronde Gadsden II for a 25-yard touchdown pass with seven seconds left to lift Syracuse to a 32-29 win over Purdue on Saturday.

That touchdown throw capped a wild fourth quarter of dramatic lead changes. Syracuse led 10-9 after three quarters and outscored the Boilermakers 22-20 in the final period. The Orange improved to 3-0, its best start since 2018. Purdue fell to 1-2.

Aidan O’Connell’s 12-yard touchdown pass to tight end Payne Durham with 51 seconds left in the fourth quarter gave the Boilermakers a 29-25 advantage and seemed to seal it for Purdue.

Garrett Shrader #6 of the Syracuse Orange celebrates with teammates after scoring a two point conversion during the fourth quarter against the Purdue Boilermakers at JMA Wireless Dome on September 17, 2022 in Syracuse, New York. (Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)

O’Connell, who completed 38 of 54 passes for 415 yards and three touchdowns, threw for two fourth-quarter scores to rescue the Boilermakers from a 10-point deficit. Charlie Jones caught 11 passes for 188 yards and one score.

But before those O’Connell heroics, Syracuse scored two touchdowns within nine seconds and led 25-15 midway through the fourth quarter.

A scrambling 46-yard touchdown pass from Shrader to Gadsden on fourth-and-one gave Syracuse an 18-15 advantage after Shrader ran for a 2-point conversion. That touchdown happened with 8:17 left in the game.

On Purdue’s next possession, SU’s Jatius Geer wrapped up O’Connell as the Purdue quarterback attempted a pass. The ball wobbled into the hands of Orange defensive end Caleb Okechukwu, who trotted 17 yards into the end zone.

Syracuse led 25-15 at that point,