WEST LAFAYETE — Purdue football coach Joe Tiller couldn't believe the ridiculous special teams play by both teams in his team's 48-42 win over Michigan on Saturday.

But for the Wolverines, it was just another Saturday.

Michigan freshman Martavious Odoms returned the Boilermakers' first punt 73 yards for a touchdown. Then he fumbled his second return, setting Purdue up for a short touchdown drive.

And the special teams play didn't get much more usual as the game progressed with a 61-yard run on a fake punt by Purdue linebacker Anthony Heygood, the Boilermakers downing a punt at the one-yard line and negative-three-yard kickoff return by Odoms.

“They say 'If you've been around enough, you've seen it all. If you've seen it all and you stick around, you'll see it all again,' “ said Tiller, who has been coaching for 54 years. "Well, I ain't never seen that. I'm not going to see it again either, I don't think.”

The Michigan special teams roller coaster started when the Wolverines dropped their first two kickoff returns at Notre Dame and has rarely slowed down since.

Redshirt junior Zoltan Mesko, one of 10 semifinalists for the Ray Guy Award, given to the nation's top punter, had been the lone special teams bright spot.

And he kept Michigan in the game Saturday. The Wolverines, outgained 522-300 in total yards, averaged 21.7 more net yards per punt than Purdue.

"There wasn’t much pressure, just because I trust my teammates and they do their job," Mesko said.

Michigan's returners played well Saturday, too. In addition to his punt return for a touchdown, Odoms had a 45-yard kick return. Freshman Boubacar Cissoko had a 53-yard kick return.

Ranked 110th in the nation in punt returns two weeks ago, Michigan now sits at 64th.

But a play in the fourth quarter, which junior defensive end Brandon Graham called the game's turning point, tarnished the Wolverines' mostly improved special teams.

With the game tied at 35 and Purdue facing a fourth and eight at its own 32-yard line, Tiller called for Heygood's fake. His coaches asked him three times if he was sure. He was, and Heygood, the up-man on the play, took the snap and raced 61 yards along the left sideline.

“I’m disappointed on the punt because we kind of anticipated it, and we yelled that it may be coming because of the alignment,” Rodriguez said.

It was the biggest swing in a wild special teams game.

“It was an entertaining kicking game for everybody but me,” Tiller said.

Imagine how Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez feels every week.

Burn that redshirt: About two months ago, Rodriguez said freshman Justin Feagin would redshirt. Even though he's Michigan's best running quarterback, he wasn't polished enough to play this year.

But Feagin made his college debut Saturday, burning his redshirt in the process. His playing time came on the punt-return team.

Feagin said he talked with the coaches before the game about whether he would play.

“I wanted to play,” Feagin said.

Most schools recruited Feagin as a defensive back, but Rodriguez offered the Deerfield, Fla. native a chance to play quarterback.

Feagin worked at quarterback in fall camp, but struggled to pick up the schemes. He has worked at slot receiver as well during the season.

Rodriguez has previously said Feagin's future is likely at slot receiver.

Siller time: It was difficult to watch Purdue quarterback Justin Siller and not wonder how much he could have helped Michigan this year.

Siller was the prototypical spread quarterback Saturday — 21-of-34 for 266 yards and three touchdown passes, 15 runs for 77 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

“He's got a lot of improving to do,” Tiller said. “I'm not quite sure where, but he does.”

Siller played at Orchard Lake St. Mary's High School, but he wasn't offered a scholarship by the Wolverines.

“I grew up watching Michigan,” Siller said. “When I was younger, they were really good.”

And the Detroit native's breakout game came in his first career start.

“We put pressure on the quarterback early, a young quarterback, inexperienced,” fifth-year senior defensive end Tim Jamison said. “As the game got along he got more confidence. He’s going to be a good player in the future.”

Siller started for the injured Curtis Painter, who missed his first start in 40 games.