WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (Interstat) — In a game defined by a record-setting aerial connection and a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights edged the Purdue Boilermakers 27-24 on Saturday at Ross-Ade Stadium.

Quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis, a native of Antioch, Illinois, orchestrated the victory for Rutgers, completing 19 of 27 passes for 359 yards and a touchdown. His primary target was receiver KJ Duff, who hauled in six catches for a staggering 241 yards and a 72-yard touchdown, consistently shredding the Purdue secondary.

The Scarlet Knights improved to 3-3 on the season, while Purdue dropped to 2-4.

The Boilermakers struck first, capitalizing on a 57-yard run by Malachi Thomas that set up a short touchdown. On the ensuing play from the 8-yard line, quarterback Malachi Singleton of Kennesaw, Georgia, took a lateral from starter Ryan Browne and hit Thomas for the score. Purdue added a 20-yard field goal from Spencer Porath later in the first quarter to take a 10-0 lead.

Rutgers finally broke through just before halftime. A methodical drive, powered by running back Antwan Raymond, culminated in a 1-yard touchdown plunge by Raymond with 12 seconds remaining in the second quarter, cutting the deficit to 10-7 at the break.

Purdue responded immediately out of the locker room. A 37-yard run by Antonio Harris set up another trick-play touchdown, with Singleton finding Devin Mockobee for a 3-yard score to extend the Boilermakers’ lead to 17-7.

The Scarlet Knights answered with a big play of their own. On their next possession, Kaliakmanis connected with Duff on a deep post for a 72-yard touchdown, bringing Rutgers back within three points.

The fourth quarter belonged to the visitors. Rutgers took its first lead of the game with 7:45 remaining when Kaliakmanis kept the ball on a 1-yard quarterback sneak, capping a drive that was again fueled by the Kaliakmanis-to-Duff connection. The extra point gave Rutgers a 20-17 advantage.

Purdue fought back, reclaiming the lead with 4:43 left. Facing a critical fourth down, Browne found Nitro Tuggle for a 14-yard touchdown pass, putting the Boilermakers back on top 24-20.

Rutgers was undeterred. Kaliakmanis efficiently moved the Scarlet Knights down the field, setting up a 20-yard field goal by Jai Patel with 1:06 on the clock to put Rutgers ahead 23-24. The game was sealed on the ensuing kickoff when Purdue’s attempt at a last-drive miracle ended immediately as Browne fumbled a backward pass, which was recovered by Rutgers safety Jett Elad.

The Scarlet Knights then ran down the clock before Patel added another field goal, a 30-yarder as time expired, for the final margin.

Raymond was a workhorse for Rutgers, carrying the ball 29 times for 116 yards and a touchdown. Ja’shon Benjamin added 78 yards on eight carries.

For Purdue, the ground game was effective, led by Mockobee’s 91 yards on 16 carries. Thomas added 62 yards on just three attempts, while Harris ran for 42 yards on two carries. Defensively, the Boilermakers were led by safety Tahj Ra-El, who recorded 15 tackles, and linebacker Charles Correa, who had 13.

The win marked a significant road victory for Rutgers, which was projected as a slight underdog by oddsmakers despite statistical models favoring them. The Scarlet Knights travel to face Illinois next Saturday. Purdue, meanwhile, heads to Ann Arbor for a matchup with Michigan.