Purdue football coach Ryan Walters gives a taste of Notre Dame
Purdue hosts Notre Dame on Saturday. Hear what Boilermakers coach Ryan Walters has to say about the Fighting Irish matchup.
WEST LAFAYETTE – When the Purdue-Notre Dame football rivalry reignites Saturday, it will be the first time in 11 years that the Fighting Irish have visited Ross-Ade Stadium.
The once annual rivalry was put on hold after the two played at Lucas Oil Stadium in 2014.
Purdue has traveled to South Bend for a meeting in 2021, and Saturday begins a five-year span in which the two will face each other every season, reigniting a battle for the Shillelagh Trophy that was contested for 69 consecutive seasons before being paused in 2014.
Center Gus Hartwig, linebacker Kydran Jenkins and defensive tackle Damarjhe Lewis all started Purdue’s last game against Notre Dame. Mahamane Moussa and Ben Furtney also played in that game.
The Boilermakers are well aware of their chances against one of the most traditional college football programs.
“I can’t even remember the last time Purdue beat Notre Dame,” safety Antonio Stevens said. “I know that would mean a lot to everybody.”
History of the Purdue vs. Notre Dame series
A historical comparison of the two programs might lead one to conclude that the rivalry is one-sided.
Notre Dame has won more than its share in recent meetings, including the last eight, but the Boilermakers have 26 wins over the Irish and are 14-27 against Notre Dame at Ross-Ade Stadium.
Despite Notre Dame’s recent success in the series, Purdue generally seems to be able to compete well.
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In the last 19 meetings, beginning with Joe Tiller’s first season as Purdue’s head coach in 1997, Notre Dame’s average margin of victory was 4.3 points. That number is slightly skewed by Purdue’s 41-16 victory in 2004, but also offset by Notre Dame’s 28-point victory in 2011. Eight of those last 19 meetings have been decided by a touchdown or less.
News from Notre Dame
Quarterback Riley Leonard apparently injured his non-throwing shoulder in last Saturday’s loss to Northern Illinois. Leonard will play Saturday, Irish coach Marcus Freeman said Thursday.
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Speaking of Freeman, Saturday will be his first appearance at Ross-Ade Stadium since 2016, when he was co-defensive coordinator for the Boilermakers.
Notre Dame tight end Mitchell Evans is atop Notre Dame’s list of prospects. After undergoing offseason knee surgery, Evans played sparingly in the Irish’s first two games and caught two passes for 26 yards last week.
Prediction: Purdue Football 23, Notre Dame 20
Before the season, I boldly predicted on the Boilers Xtra podcast that Purdue would beat Notre Dame. Now I backed that up by saying Georgia native CJ Smith would be a factor at receiver. Smith is not expected to play against the Fighting Irish.
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That prediction also came before Notre Dame was upset by a MAC team. Purdue has likely had Notre Dame’s full attention since last Saturday. Not that it hasn’t done so before, but a team with national championship aspirations now needs to be on top for 10 straight games if it wants to have any hope.
But as mentioned, Purdue always seems to be improving its performance compared to Notre Dame. In some of those years, the talent difference was obvious. Right now, that difference is not so great.
Not only is Notre Dame’s secondary not comparable to Indiana State, it is also one of the best in the country under the leadership of All-American safety Xavier Watts.
Hudson Card, who completed an NCAA-record 24 of 25 passes against Indiana State, will have to play well. The defense will have to prevent big plays and Purdue will likely need some on offense.
Considering the extra week of preparation for Ross-Ade and Purdue, a win for the Boilermakers is not so far-fetched.
Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter and Instagram at @samueltking.
