By LARRY LAGE

AP Sports Writer

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) - Joey Elliott threw for a career-high 367 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another to help Purdue rally past Michigan 38-36 Saturday, dealing a serious blow to the Wolverines' bowl hopes.

The Boilermakers (4-6, 3-3 Big Ten) trailed 24-10 at halftime but Michigan came undone in the third quarter again, allowing 21 points for the second week in a row.

In danger of missing a bowl after a 4-0 start, Michigan (5-5, 1-5) had a chance to tie the game after Brandon Minor's third TD with 2:10 left. But Tate Forcier was sacked on a 2-point conversion that Michigan was forced to attempt because of a missed extra point.

After Purdue recovered the onside kick, Michigan forced a punt, but went almost nowhere from its own 10, ending the game in a flurry of laterals on consecutive plays.

Rich Rodriguez had a school-record nine losses last year in his debut season with college football's winningest program.

This season started much better, but it might end with a flop that could be compounded by more problems. The NCAA is investigating the Wolverines to find out if they have violated rules limiting practice hours and regarding voluntary offseason workouts.

Michigan, which has lost five straight Big Ten games, has enough problems on the field, though.

In the past three games, Michigan has been outscored 75-12 in the second half by Illinois, Penn State and now Purdue.

The Wolverines mounted a threat in this one, but also hurt themselves with miscues.

They appeared to convert a fourth down from the Purdue 20, but the play was overturned by replay because running back Carlos Brown was ruled to have made an illegal forward pass.

Forcier finished 15 of 24 for 212 yards with a TD. He ran for a score and fumbled on an option that Purdue recovered early in the second half, going on to score as it began a comeback from a 24-10 deficit at halftime.

Minor ran for 143 yards and three TDs. Roy Roundtree, a former Purdue recruit, had 10 receptions for 126 yards and a score.

Elliott completed 28 of 39 passes - surpassing his previous career high of 313 yards - with two TDs, two interceptions and a TD run that gave Purdue a 38-30 lead early in the fourth quarter.

Purdue's Ralph Bolden ran for 98 yards and two TDs. Keith Smith had 11 receptions for 84 yards.

The Boilermakers started the day tied with Utah State for the longest active skid on the road.

11/07/09 16:04 © Copyright The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained In this news report may not be published, broadcast or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.