 Ohio State opened the season with four wins at home, defeating SMU, Oregon, Purdue and Northwestern.The Big Ten opener matched them against the number one-ranked Boilermakers and although threatened three times in the first half, Purdue held Ohio State scoreless.In the 3rd quarter junior Ted Provost intercepted a pass, returning it for a touchdown, and after sophomore starting quarterback Rex Kern was injured, senior Bill Long, who had quarterbacked the team the previous two seasons, returned to score the decisive final touchdown in the 13–0 upset.