GoldandBlack.com Saturday Simulcast: Purdue-Notre Dame Wrap

The staff of GoldandBlack.com and co-hosts Nate Barrett and Alan Karpick discuss today’s Purdue-Notre Dame matchup and take your questions following the Irish’s 56-30 win in South Bend.

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Purdue vs. Notre Dame recap:

The Shillelagh Trophy will remain in the hands of the Fighting Irish for yet another year, as Purdue fell in its rivalry matchup against Notre Dame on Saturday, 56-30. The defeat was the 10th straight for the Boilermakers against Notre Dame, dating back to 2007.

Purdue also extended its 2+ year road win drought, going 0-11 since beating Virginia Tech in Blacksburg on September 9th, 2023. That streak will continue until at least October 11th, which is when Purdue travels to Minneapolis to take on Minnesota.

It didn’t take long for Notre Dame to establish its offensive dominance on Saturday. After a three-and-out by the Purdue offense, quarterback CJ Carr found a streaking Malachi Fields for a 66-yard touchdown on the first play of the Fighting Irish’s opening drive. That marked the start of an onslaught by the Fighting Irish attack in the opening 30 minutes of play (or three and a half hours).

Notre Dame scored 35 points in the first half, more than the Boilermakers had surrendered in any game this season, behind its two-headed monster of Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price. The Fighting Irish ran for 138 yards and three touchdowns in the half, and Price added a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

PDF: Purdue-Notre Dame stats

While Notre Dame was scoring touchdowns, the Boilermakers were forced to settle for a trio of field goals in the first half. Spencer Porath provided stability in the kicking game, but it was not enough to keep pace with an explosive Notre Dame offense. That being said, Purdue was within 12 points at halftime after quarterback Ryan Browne found Nitro Tuggle on a 24-yard strike at the end of the first half.

Coming out of the break, Notre Dame rattled off 21 unanswered, to build a 33 point cushion into the fourth quarter and essentially icing the game. Those scores were the first touchdowns the Boilermakers have allowed in the second half this season, and led to their downfall in South Bend.

The Fighting Irish had a near flawless offensive performance, amassing 535 total yards and hanging 56 points on Mike Scherer’s defense. Purdue had yet to allow more than 30 points or more than 460 yards in a game, both marks Notre Dame smashed in the lopsided affair. CJ Carr dazzled, going 10-12 for 223 yards and two scores, with Malachi Fields and Jordan Faison being his top targets.

It was Notre Dame’s running back tandem that did the most damage, however, as Price and Love combined for 373 all-purpose yards and six touchdowns. Purdue was unable to contain either Fighting Irish tailback in their three quarters of work, while also getting dominated in the trenches.

Ryan Browne bounced back after a three interception game against USC last week, guiding the Purdue offense with 250 passing yards, one touchdown and an interception. Nitro Tuggle and Michael Jackson III stepped up in the first half, particularly, with Jackson having four catches for 62 yards and Tuggle had three catches for 66 yards and a score.

The ground game was a struggle, however, as Purdue mustered only 76 yards on the ground. Veteran running back Devin Mockobee was limited to 16 yards on 12 carries and had no space against the Irish defensive front. That showing comes on the heels of being limited to just 52 yards against USC.

Purdue now heads into its bye week coming off back-to-back losses to USC and Notre Dame, where it will have a current top-ten Illinois squad awaiting in the Cannon Trophy Game in West Lafayette on October 4th.