In a bizarre first half, which opened with Michigan's first defensive touchdown since October of last year, the Wolverines lead Purdue at Ross-Ade Stadium, 14-13.

The Michigan defense -- ranked seventh to last in the NCAA before this game -- stepped up in the first half, allowing just 21 yards through the air from Purdue's ragtag group of quarterbacks. The Boilermaker running game, led by quarterback Rob Henry, did have over 100 yards in the first half, but the Wolverine defense put up its best performance in a half all season, allowing just six points on seven possessions.

But Michigan's offense hasn't had the same luck. Ranked fifth in the NCAA before the game, the Wolverines committed three turnovers in the first half, adding on to the five they committed in their win over Illinois last weekend. So with eight turnovers in the last three halves, Michigan will have to hold onto the ball if it has any hope of keeping its lead.

Six minutes into the game, it was Purdue that couldn't hold onto the ball. Season-leading rusher Dan Dierking lost the ball after being tackled by sophomore defensive end Craig Roh, and redshirt freshman spur Cam Gordon scooped the ball up and returned it for a 58-yard touchdown.

Then, after a weak push from Purdue and a nine-yard punt, sophomore quarterback Denard Robinson capped a 37-yard drive with a touchdown pass to his new favorite target, redshirt sophomore wideout Roy Roundtree to take a two-touchdown lead. Roundtree had a record 246 yards last week against Illinois.

Robinson has 141 yards passing, completing 10-of-15 passes, and sophomore running back Vincent Smith has had his best first half of the season.

But turnovers killed much of Michigan's first-half momentum as the injury-depleted Boilermakers recovered a fumble from Robinson and freshman running back Stephen Hopkins and also returned a bad pass from Robinson for a pick-six.

It could be up to Michigan's offense to determine whether Purdue's 104th-ranked offense scores any more points in the second half.