Purdue’s Brian Lankford-Johnson reaches the end zone during Purdue’s 45-24 win against Eastern Kentucky Saturday afternoon at Ross-Ade Stadium. (Photos by Dave Deak)

WEST LAFAYETTE – Leroy Clark and Gelen Robinson’s first-quarter interceptions helped Purdue build an early 21-0 lead, and the Boilermakers defeated Eastern Kentucky 45-24 in the season opener for both teams Saturday.

Purdue running back Markell Jones hurdles a Eastern Kentucky defender.

Clark’s interception of Maty Mauk, the fifth-year graduate transfer quarterback from Missouri, set up Purdue’s second touchdown and a 14-0 lead, and Robinson’s 78-yard interception return for a score pushed the Boilermakers’ advantage to 21-0 with 3:31 remaining in the first quarter.

Boilermaker redshirt sophomore quarterback David Blough ran for two touchdowns and threw a 35-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver DeAngelo Yancey, giving Purdue a 28-8 lead late in the second quarter.

Jones carried 24 times for 143 yards for a Purdue team that now has won 13 consecutive home openers, including 4-0 for fourth-year head coach Darrell Hazell.

Each team struggled to generate any third-quarter offense, especially after Colonels quarterback Bennie Coney, who replaced Mauk in the first quarter, took a hard hit while scrambling and was helped to the sideline, prompting Mauk’s return.

Eastern Kentucky’s Neiko Creamer is about to get leveled.

Purdue finally broke the second-half scoring drought on Blough’s second TD run, a 1-yard plunge with 12:48 remaining in the game to extend the lead to 35-18.

J.D. Dellinger’s 30-yard field goal with 4:56 to play capped a 13-play, 66-yard drive and gave the Boilermakers a 38-18 lead.

Blough finished 25 of 43 for 245 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Domonique Young caught eight passes for 74 yards.

Purdue capped its scoring with a 48-yard touchdown run from freshman Brian Lankford-Johnson with 4:23 left. The Colonels got a TD with 1:34 remaining to complete the scoring.

UP NEXT

Purdue: The Boilermakers are home again on Sept. 10, hosting Cincinnati at noon. The Bearcats defeated Purdue in September of 2013 in Hazell’s first game with the Boilermakers, 42-7 in Cincinnati. The Bearcats opened the season Thursday night with a 28-7 victory against Tennessee-Martin.

DeAngelo Yancey hauls in a touchdown catch for Purdue.