Arizona State's place kicker, Jessie Ainsworth kicked a 22-yard field goal in the first quarter to give the Sun Devils a 3-0 lead.
Early in the fourth quarter, Orton found all-American Taylor Stubblefield for a 5-yard touchdown pass, reclaiming the lead for Purdue, 16-10.
Arizona State moved the ball on their ensuing drive, but it stalled, and they had to settle for a field goal.
Sam Keller's final touchdown to Rudy Burgess proved to be the game winner, as ASU held off Purdue by a 27-23 margin.
Grammy-winning Texas band Los Lonely Boys performed at halftime.