ANN ARBOR, Mich. | Purdue defensive tackle Mike Neal has said all year the Boilermakers wouldn't quit on the season.

Nothing rang truer on Saturday as Purdue defeated Michigan, 38-36, for the program's first win in Ann Arbor since 1966. The win came one week after getting dismantled by Wisconsin, 37-0, in Madison.

"We don't quit, we don't quit," said Neal, a Merrillville grad. "A lot of teams would have come off a loss like (at Wisconsin) and would probably hang their heads going into the next game.

"We don't do that. We keep fighting and that has been proven throughout the whole season."

Neal had four tackles and two sacks, while Kawann Short (E.C. Central) added three tackles and a pass breakup. Albert Evans, a Portage grad, also had three tackles.

"I don't think I've ever been around a group of guys that just don't quit and don't give up," Evans said.

Purdue (4-6, 3-3 Big Ten) not only rebounded from last week's loss, but also a 24-10 halftime deficit. Michigan then took a 30-17 lead in the third quarter on quarterback Tate Forcier's 6-yard keeper. However, the Wolverines missed the extra point kick, which would prove costly.

After Purdue pulled to within a score, 30-24, on Ralph Bolden's third touchdown of the day, they recovered an onsides kick. One play later, Purdue quarterback Joey Elliott threw a 54-yard touchdown pass to Cortez Smith, giving the Boilermakers a 31-30 lead, with 1:21 left in the third quarter.

Elliott's 8-yard touchdown rush put Purdue ahead, 38-30, with 10:28 left in the game.

Michigan (5-5, 1-5) had a chance to tie the game after Brandon Minor scored on a 1-yard rush with 2:10 left in the game. Forcier, though, was sacked on the two-point conversion and Purdue recovered the ensuing onsides kick.

It's the first road win in the last 11 tries for Purdue, dating back to the 2007 season.

If the Boilermakers win against Michigan State at home on Saturday, and at Indiana the following week, they would become eligible for postseason play, after starting the season 1-5.

"We're not worried about a bowl game," Neal said. "We're just worried about the next game. We're worried about beating Michigan State and that's where we're taking it from here."

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Purdue 38, Michigan 36

Merrillville grad Mike Neal had two sacks in historic win.

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