Ohio State coach Urban Meyer told reporters that his team’s shortcomings were “exposed” in the Buckeyes’ 49-20 loss to unranked Purdue on Saturday. He specifically highlighted his team’s defense surrendering big plays to the Boilermakers.

Purdue had 23 plays from scrimmage of at least 10 yards, seven for more than 20 yards, four of at least 30 yards and three offensive touchdowns of 40 yards or more.

It was largely two players – freshman slot receiver Rondale Moore and senior running back D.J. Knox – who consistently carved up Ohio State’s defense. The duo combined for 348 rushing and receiving yards, five total touchdowns and 15 plays from scrimmage of at least 10 yards.

Knox rushed 16 times for 128 yards and three touchdowns, plus he had a 26-yard reception.

Moore caught 12 passes for 170 yards and two touchdowns, adding two carries for 24 yards.

Here’s a look at how two of the smallest players on the field, the 5-7 Knox and 5-9 Moore, ran wild to lead Purdue to arguably the biggest upset of the college football season.

Purdue repeatedly found ways to get Moore the ball in space, whether it be through a crossing route, rub concept, reverse or jet sweep, which often worked as a complement to Knox.

Moore’s first touchdown of the game came on a “rub” concept, where he was in the slot with fellow wide receiver Isaac Zico lined up outside of him to his right. Their routes crossed, creating room for a catch-and-run by Moore and forcing defensive back Isaiah Pryor to go around Zico in coverage.

The defense never had a good angle on Moore.

Knox broke off a 40-yard touchdown run – the first of six touchdowns in the fourth quarter – on 3rd & 9. That’s typically a passing down with Purdue out of field goal range, and Ohio State rushed six players.

Knox took a quick inside handoff and quickly reached the second level of the defense, only having to make a safety miss to reach the end zone.

After Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins found Johnnie Dixon for a touchdown in the fourth quarter, Purdue took over on offense at its own 25-yard line. The Boilermakers ran the ball five plays in a row, three with Knox and two with Moore.

Moore took a reverse on first down for 11 yards. Knox took the next two handoffs for eight and three yards apiece. Moore took a jet sweep 13 yards for another first down.

On the very next play, Purdue faked another jet sweep to Moore, which drew the attention of Ohio State defenders Jordan Fuller and Pryor, creating a massive lane in the middle of the field, as Knox took a handoff up the middle 40 yards for a touchdown.

Purdue’s final offensive touchdown of the game came on 3rd & 7 at Ohio State’s 43-yard line, where Moore went into motion from right to left and caught a screen pass from quarterback David Blough. Ohio State linebacker Pete Werner dove to make the tackle just past the line of scrimmage, which would have limited Moore to about a two-yard gain and forced a fourth down.

Instead, Moore’s right foot slipped through his hands, then Moore broke a tackle despite seemingly being wrapped up by Pryor, allowing him to squeak through four Ohio State defenders, then outrun two more for the touchdown.

Ohio State has put numerous defensive players in the NFL on an annual basis in recent years, especially players who play in the secondary or on the defensive line, but this year’s Buckeyes team has been pedestrian on that side of the ball. They rank 43rd in scoring defense, 49th in Football Outsiders’ S&P+ defense rankings, 57th in rushing defense and 90th in passing defense.

Purdue may have given the rest of the Big Ten (we’re looking at you, Michigan) the blueprint on how to beat Ohio State: spread the field with quick, elusive players and get the ball to them in space with creative play-calling.