Braxton Miller saw an opening in the Purdue defense and was through it in a bright red flash. The Heisman Trophy contender burst up the middle to pick up the first down and then veered toward the sideline to his right as Boilermakers scrambled after him. After picking up nearly 40 yards on the run (and handing out one stiff arm), Miller was pulled down awkwardly. Miller's head smacked into the turf in Columbus as Purdue corner Josh Johnson brought him down.
After laying motionless on the field for a few tense, Miller was helped to the sideline. Visibly dazed, Miller was helped to a cart to go back to the locker room. ESPN later reporte that Miller was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital, via SI.com
The Buckeyes were trailing 20-14 when Miller was helped from the field, forcing back-up Kenny Guiton into action. Even without its Heisman candidate in the backfield, Ohio State pulled out a 29-22 win in overtime to improve to 8-0.
UPDATE 5:53 p.m. EST: Not long after the game, there was good news on Miller from Ohio State associate athletic director Dan Wallenberg.
Buckeyes team spokesman Jerry Emig also gave The Associated Press a positive update.
"He passed all of the tests and he's getting ready to be released," said Emig, who added that there were no symptoms of a concussion or other serious injury.
MORE FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller was hurt late in the third quarter of the seventh-ranked Buckeyes' victory over Purdue on Saturday.
In his postgame remarks after Ohio State's 29-22 overtime win, coach Urban Meyer said he didn't know Miller's exact injury or his status.
"I think it's (his) head and that concerns all of us," he said.
Miller, mentioned among the top Heisman Trophy contenders, was at the end of a 37-yard run when he was thrown to the turf by cornerback Josh Johnson.
Miller didn't get up for several minutes — he was in obvious pain — while he was attended by several doctors and trainers. Eventually he sat up, then stood on shaky legs for at least 60 seconds before he was led to the sidelines. He was later taken to the locker room by cart.
Ohio State did not offer an official statement on the nature or severity of the sophomore's injury.
Miller completed 9 of 20 passes for 113 yards with an interception and ran for 47 yards on 12 carries before leaving the game.
His replacement, Kenny Guiton, led Ohio State to a touchdown with 3 seconds left, then after that scoring pass also threw a two-point conversion pass to send the game into overtime.
In the overtime, Carlos Hyde scored on a 1-yard plunge for the Buckeyes before Purdue failed to complete any of its four passes.