Matchup Preview: Purdue-Notre Dame

Purdue at Notre Dame

Here's a look at Purdue's third opponent in 2021, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish:

Time: Saturday, 2:30 p.m. ET

Location: Notre Dame Stadium

Surface: Field Turf

Capacity: 77,622

2021 records: Notre Dame (2-0); Purdue (2-0)

Series notes: Purdue and Notre Dame haven't met for seven years, after facing one another every season for 69 years (1946-2014). The Irish lead the series 58-26-2 and are 30-11 in games played in South Bend. From 1950-68, the Boilermakers won seven of 10 games played under the Golden Dome. But since then, Notre Dame has dominated the games in South Bend, winning 19 of 21. The last game between the two schools in South Bend was in 2012, when the No. 22 Irish connected on a last-minute field goal to win 20-17. The Boilermakers last two victories at ND were in 1974 and 2004.

In total, Purdue's 26 wins against Notre Dame are third most behind USC (37) and Michigan State (28).

TV: NBC

Early line: Notre Dame -7.5

Radio (Purdue): (Tim Newton, play-by-play; Kelly Kitchel analyst; Rob Blackman, studio host)

Pregame: Gold and Black Radio

Purdue roster | Purdue Schedule/Results | Purdue game notes

Notre Dame roster | Notre Dame schedule/results | Notre Dame game notes

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The Irish backfield features a pair of talented backs in Kyren Williams and Chris Tyree, but they have struggled to get the run game going in their two victories. A large amount of that blame, at least to date, lies on the offensive line, which has struggled to replace key contributors from the 2020 team which made the College Football Playoff. Freshman dual threat quarterback Tyler Buchner saw some action last week, and was effective with his arm and legs in the win over Toledo, though it is unknown how much Brian Kelly plans on playing him. The Irish average just 2.7 yards per carry.

Purdue's new-look defense has excelled at bottling up the run so far, allowing just 3.4 yards per carry through two games. That number may even be inflated (or better said deflated) due to some success from UConn during garbage time in the Boilermakers' 49-0 victory. This will be Purdue's biggest challenge on the ground, however, as neither Oregon State nor UConn had backs as talented as Williams and Tyree.

Wisconsin transfer Jack Coan emerged onto the scene in his Irish debut, throwing for 366 yards and four touchdowns in the overtime win at Florida State. A finger injury plagued Coan in the second half vs. Toledo, but Buchner played well off the bench, completing all three passes. The passing attack has won Notre Dame both of its games despite not having game-changing wide receivers. Look for star tight end Michael Mayer to see the ball early and often and for both Williams and Tyree to see targets out of the backfield.

Purdue's secondary comes in with confidence after it held UConn to under 100 yards through the air last weekend. The Boilers have yet to allow a passing touchdown this season. The Irish are a much different matchup than what Purdue has seen so far, as Coan can extend the field vertically in a way that Oregon State and UConn passers could not. Secondary coach Ron English will have his hands full this weekend.

Coach Jeff Brohm was dealt a huge blow on Monday when he announced that starting running back Zander Horvath would miss four to eight weeks with a broken fibula. That leaves King Doerue and Dylan Downing as the only Boilermaker running backs with a carry on the season. While both ran with success against the Connecticut defense, it's hard to know what kind of success the tandem can generate against the likes of Notre Dame. Brohm may resort to using wide receivers such as Jackson Anthrop or TJ Sheffield in the run game in Horvath's absence. A short-passing game also can serve as a run game.

Led by former Purdue linebackers coach Marcus Freeman, the Notre Dame defense has been solid against the run this year, despite giving up the occasional big play. The defensive line gets into the backfield with ease, totaling 20 tackles for loss on the young season. Though the transition to Freeman's scheme hasn't been flawless for the Irish, the loss of Horvath is very significant and will be felt on Saturday afternoon under the Golden Dome.

Jack Plummer built on his strong start, racking up four touchdown passes in the blowout win last weekend. He continues to lean heavily on David Bell and Payne Durham, who each have three touchdowns through two games. There are quality options besides those two, however. Jackson Anthrop remains a reliable target, while TJ Sheffield and Milton Wright have big-play potential, though Wright is off to a slow start in 2021. Plummer's mobility was a leading factor in Brohm's decision to name him the starter, and he has shown It subtly, extending plays with his feet to help move the Boilers downfield.

The Fighting Irish defense forced three interceptions in the win in Tallahassee, though they were unable to come away with one versus Toledo. Safety Kyle Hamilton, a likely All-American and first-round NFL pick, will lurk in the secondary and will look to make a big play to swing momentum Notre Dame's way. Plummer and the offense have plenty of offensive weapons to take advantage of the big-play potential which the Notre Dame defense has allowed this season. The offensive line will have to do its share of work, however, as the Irish front has recorded 10 sacks through just two games.

So far, so good from the Purdue special teams in its quest to improve after a rough 2020. Kicker Mitchell Fineran is perfect through two games, and freshman punter Jack Ansell looks comfortable in his first year of American football. TJ Sheffield's return from injury may be able to provide a spark in the return game for Purdue, though they've avoided problems in the return game to this point.

On the flip side, Notre Dame kicker Jonathan Doerer comes in 3-of-4 on field-goal attempts, though his miss came from more than 50 yards. He is a solid kicker, having made all three of his attempts inside 50 yards. Punting has been no problem for the Irish either, with Jay Bramblett averaging over 42 yards. The return game has been a non-factor for the Blue and Dold to this point.

Despite the 2-0 record, Notre Dame is not satisfied with its performance. The 41-38 overtime win vs. Florida State looks less impressive after the Seminoles' loss to FCS Jacksonville State. And the Irish expected more than a three-point, last-minute win over Toledo last week. There were lots of empty seats at Notre Dame Stadium last week, though don't expect that to continue on Saturday. Brian Kelly comes into this game with the chance to tie Knute Rockne's record for wins at Notre Dame, and the Shillelagh will be awarded for the first time in seven years.

Purdue is 2-0 for the second consecutive season after its rout of UConn. Purdue hasn't started 3-0 since 2007, also the last time it defeated the Irish. The Boilers have plenty of reason to feel good about their team after two games, and they come into this one with nothing to lose. Jeff Brohm has preached an aggressive mindset for months now. How aggressive will he be trying to pull off an upset in a setting that has haunted Purdue for decades?

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