WEST LAFAYETTE — The third quarter of Saturday’s Purdue football game against USC featured two of the more unusual touchdowns you’ll see, one by each team.
The host Boilermakers, trailing 20-3 and searching for signs of life, attempted a receiver throwback that got the result Purdue wanted, but with an unusual twist.
Quarterback Ryan Browne‘s backwards pass to Michael Jackson III came back in Browne’s direction.
The only problem was Browne was blanketed by linebacker Eric Gentry, who batted Jackson’s throw. Browne then picked up the ball off the ground and ran 34 yards into the end zone. Officials ruled both passes were laterals, thus ruling a 34-yard rushing touchdown for Browne.
WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!
Two laterals and Ryan Browne picks it up and runs it in for SIX!! @BoilerFootballpic.twitter.com/WCnGBg5GvM
— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) September 14, 2025
USC then one-upped Purdue’s quirky TD on the next Boilermaker offensive possession.
Purdue was in the red zone and threatening to cut USC’s lead to one possession when Browne had a pass batted at the line of scrimmage.
That’s when 360-pound defensive lineman Jamaal Jarrett caught it and rumbled 70 yards for a game-changing touchdown with 2:15 to go in the third quarter, putting USC ahead 30-10.
JAMAAL JARRETT RUMBLIN’ AND STUMBLIN’ ALL THE WAY TO THE END ZONE @uscfbpic.twitter.com/S5SUcKMbRp
— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) September 14, 2025
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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Jamaal Jarrett touchdown, Purdue football vs USC, Ryan Browne laterals highlights