Three Lessons from Notre Dame's Victory Over Purdue

The Irish Dominance Over Purdue

Another year, another opportunity for Notre Dame to exact revenge on the Purdue Boilermakers after a tough loss. While this game highlighted more about the struggles of Purdue football than the performance of Notre Dame, it's still interesting to witness how this once-competitive matchup has transformed into a built-in "get-right" game for the Irish. The team used this game as a chance to vent their frustrations from their previous losses, even though it wasn't the original plan to face Purdue after Northern Illinois in 2024.

Let’s take a closer look at what went right and what still needs improvement ahead of Notre Dame's upcoming road game against Arkansas.

The Punishers

If the goal of the game was to punish Purdue for the audacity of playing after Notre Dame's two opening losses, then the running backs and offensive line were the chief enforcers. Facing a lighter opposing front than usual, Notre Dame's offensive line dominated, creating opportunities for Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price. The duo had a 76.3% rush efficiency rate, with backups taking over in the fourth quarter.

How effective was the Irish running game? CJ Carr recorded 223 yards and two touchdowns on just 12 pass attempts. The only question mark was which running back looked better. Price had four touchdowns, including a 100-yard kick return where a tackler bounced off him like a bullet off Superman. Love, meanwhile, rushed for 157 yards, including a touchdown run that seemed to humiliate every member of Purdue’s defense. While the opponent was clearly outmatched, it was important for the offense to get the reps needed to build chemistry.

Marginal Improvements

Notre Dame's defense showed some positive signs in this game. Their run defense was outstanding, limiting Purdue to just 76 yards and recording 14 run stuffs. This improvement came from the interior defensive line, who have been a frequent target of criticism in the first two games. The tackling also improved, and although pressure on Ryan Browne was lacking, the defense managed to sack him twice and record five tackles for loss.

Christian Gray, another player under scrutiny, showed better focus and awareness with an interception in the first half. Additionally, the defense improved significantly in the third quarter with the return of Adon Shuler from his suspension. His presence helped stabilize the secondary, especially with Leonard Moore and Devonta Smith sidelined due to injuries. It's hoped that these players will be available for the next game, where they might face a more dynamic passing offense.

Jack Bauer is Disappointed

Now, let's address the concerns with Notre Dame's pass defense. The secondary struggled in the first half, but a specific issue has plagued the team throughout their first three games: an inability to perform in ticking-clock scenarios. In each of Notre Dame's two losses, the defense allowed touchdown drives in the closing minutes of each half, and this trend continued in the game against Purdue.

After leading 35-16 following Price's kick return touchdown with one minute left in the second quarter, the defense allowed a 6-play, 75-yard drive in 53 seconds. This series revealed vulnerabilities in the players' understanding of the system and poor situational play-calling. The lack of pressure up front made the defense susceptible to hurry-up offenses, and fans are reminded of Brian VanGorder's past struggles.

Had the Irish stopped this drive, they would have limited Purdue to 7 fewer points and 70-some fewer yards through the air. A 180-yard performance by Ryan Browne instead of 250 would have changed the perception of the game and the defense overall. While there are mitigating factors due to the absence of veteran defenders, fans expect significant adjustments in play-calling or tactics.

That’s all for this week – hopefully next time we’ll be breaking down three more observations from a win.