DETROIT — Purdue recovered two onside kicks and Raheem Mostert returned a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown before halftime to give Purdue a big lead, and the Boilermakers held on to beat Western Michigan 37-32 Tuesday night in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl.
The Broncos had the ball with a chance to go ahead, but their comeback hopes ended when quarterback Alex Carder fumbled for his fifth turnover with just under 2 minutes left.
The Boilermakers (7-6) led 27-15 at halftime after third-string running back Reggie Pegram scored the first two touchdowns of his career.
The Broncos (7-6) scored first on Carder's 49-yard flea-flicker pass to Jordan White and went back ahead midway through the second quarter.
Mostert returned the ensuing kickoff for a TD to put Purdue ahead for good.