Despite an almost two-hour weather delay and a defense that still faces more questions than answers, head coach Marcus Freeman’s Notre Dame outdueled rival Purdue 56-30 on Saturday to collect their first win of the season. The Irish were once again led by the standout backfield duo of juniors Jadarian Price and Jeremiyah Love. The pair combined to rush for 231 yards on 28 carries, reaching the end zone six times. Defensively, the secondary was much improved from a week ago, with junior cornerback Christian Gray hauling in his first interception of the campaign and freshman cornerback Dallas Golden collecting the first of his career.
Tale of the tape
Despite the newfound success of the Indiana Hoosiers, culminating in last year’s College Football Playoff (CFP) First Round showdown with the Fighting Irish in South Bend, Notre Dame’s most historic in-state rivalry has long been with the Boilermakers. Saturday’s contest marked the 89th all-time meeting on the gridiron between the two northern Indiana institutions, with Notre Dame leading the series 58-26-2 (wins in 2012 and 2013 were vacated).
Separated by a little more than 100 miles, the two programs first met in 1896 and have contested a slew of notable games over the years. Purdue has taken down a top-ranked Notre Dame side four times, while the schools also met as No. 1 and No. 2 in the polls back in 1968. The annual series was cancelled in 2014 due to the Big Ten realignment, but the rivalry is still scheduled intermittently throughout the coming years.
Following last season’s embarrassing home opening defeat to Northern Illinois, the Irish went into West Lafayette and stomped Purdue 66-7, marking the largest margin of victory in series history. The Boilermakers would limp to a 1-11 record in 2024, before resetting the program by hiring head coach Barry Odom away from UNLV and welcoming in over 60 transfers.
Notre Dame opened 2025 on the wrong note, staggering to a 0-2 start after close setbacks to No. 2 Miami and No. 9 Texas A&M. After losing renowned defensive coordinator Al Golden to the Cincinnati Bengals, the unit has struggled, allowing 68 points across its first two contests. Under the leadership of freshman quarterback CJ Carr, the Irish offense has looked impressive both through the air and on the ground, but it hasn’t been enough to make up for the defensive woes.
Across the sideline, Purdue had already surpassed their win total from a year ago, entering South Bend at 2-1. They opened the season with a shutout win over Ball State before taking down Southern Illinois a week later. The Boilers dropped their Big Ten opener 33-17 to USC, but look to be much improved under head coach Barry Odom’s new schemes.
How it unfolded
After winning the coin toss and deferring their selection to the second half, Notre Dame’s defense forced a three-and-out on Purdue’s opening possession. The Irish offense then wasted no time taking advantage, as Carr found Virginia transfer wideout Malachi Fields on a deep post on their first play from scrimmage.
Fields, a Charlottesville native, beat cornerback Tony Grimes to haul in the 66-yard reception and give Notre Dame the early 7-0 advantage.
Purdue responded quickly, as receiver Nitro Tuggle snagged an impressive grab down the left sideline to gain 31 yards before the Boilermakers reached the end zone with some trickery. On first-and-goal, quarterback Ryan Browne handed off to running back Devin Mockobee, who pitched a forward pass back to Browne, who had rolled out to the right side.
After a 42-yard kickoff return from Price, a vintage Love drive allowed the Irish to retake the lead at 14-7. The St. Louis native carried eight times for 39 yards on the drive, resulting in his second rushing score of the season.
Purdue’s next possession stalled out before a fake punt from their own 40 exposed the overloaded Irish pass rush, with punter Jack McCallister scampering to gain 10. Later in the series, Browne escaped a collapsing pocket on third-and-11 to find pass-catcher Michael Jackson III over the middle. Notre Dame’s defense held up in the red zone, forcing a 48-yard field goal try, which kicker Spencer Porath converted.
Offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock’s concerted effort to feed Love continued into the second quarter, as he saw 14 carries before Price even appeared on offense. Price didn’t waste his first touch however, as he capped off a nine-play, 75-yard drive with a 21-yard touchdown run.
Following that, a third-down pass intended for Jackson was tipped in coverage by freshman linebacker Madden Faraimo, before it was picked by Gray. The ensuing five Irish plays were all Price runs, with a nine-yard score extending his team-leading touchdown total to four and the Notre Dame edge to 28-10.
Purdue settled for three again on their next drive, with Porath connecting from 26 yards away. The Boilermaker defense finally made a play late in the first half, with cornerback Myles Slusher strip-sacking Carr inside the Notre Dame 20-yard line. That quick shift in momentum would be the final play before lightning caused an evacuation of Notre Dame Stadium.
Freeman commented postgame on the mindset of his players returning from the extended delay.
“You just got to do your job,“ he said. “You can't do somebody else's job. You can't try to make a play. You just have to trust your technique and do your job and win that play.”
As action resumed, Notre Dame’s pass rush did its job, recording a sack and forcing Porath into his third successful kick of the day. Price quickly struck back for Notre Dame, bouncing off tacklers to return the ensuing kickoff 100 yards. His third score of the day tied the record for the longest touchdown in Notre Dame Stadium history.
Purdue then easily drove 75 yards through the Notre Dame defense in just 53 seconds, making the score 35-23 at the intermission. After 30 minutes, Purdue had outgained the Irish 286-231. Browne was 17-for-26 through the air for 224 yards, while Carr had only attempted four passes. Love and Price were left to do much of the heavy lifting, totaling 138 yards on 20 combined carries.
That trend would continue into the second half, with Love breaking multiple tackles on the opening possession en route to a highlight reel 46-yard touchdown scurry.
Despite finishing with just 12 passing attempts, Carr consistently dimed up receivers. Perhaps his best throw of the day was an audibled double move to Jordan Faison that went for 48 yards, extending the Irish lead to 26. The young quarterback finished the day 10-for-12 for 223 yards, with two scores and a near-perfect passer rating. Faison also turned in a career day, eclipsing the 100-yard mark for the second time as he finished with five catches for 105 yards and a touchdown.
“The guy has been different from the minute he walked on campus,“ Freeman said about his budding star at quarterback. “He is an ultra-talented individual and ultra-competitive individual that uses that competitive spirit to prepare. When you add all those things together you get the output that you've seen in three games. I've seen it for a year and a half.”
The Irish attack continued to hum in the dominant third period, as Price scored from one yard out for his fourth touchdown of the day. His career day stuffed the stat sheet, as he galloped for 74 yards on just nine carries, averaging 8.2 yards per rush. Love slightly edged him out, averaging 8.3 yards per carry, racing for a career-high 157 yards on 19 carries and finishing the day with two scores of his own.
Freeman was also complimentary of Price, but focused more on his character than his ability.
“He is talented, but he’s the most unselfish individual,” he said.
That mindset was also exhibited in Price’s postgame conversation with the media.
“It’s everything for team glory,“ Price said. “Whatever I need to do, whether score six touchdowns or score zero, it doesn't matter to me.”
Carr joined in on the praise for his running backs.
“It’s easy when you have Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price and the best o-line in the country,“ he said. "It just takes all the pressure off my shoulders.”
Defensive coordinator Chris Ash’s defense hunkered down in the second half, with the young and inexperienced secondary stepping up to make timely plays. Midway through the fourth quarter, Golden hauled in his first career interception by jumping into an underthrown ball from Purdue backup Malachi Singleton. Although the 30 on the scoreboard remains an eyesore, the defense created much more chaos this week, tallying two sacks, five tackles for loss and two interceptions.
Freeman applauded the work of his young defensive backs.
“There are not many freshmen that get a chance to come in and start, play as a true freshman at Notre Dame,“ he said. “They got here in June and we need them and we trust them. There will be a time where Mark Zackery gives up a big play and the next time he knocks it down. Dallas Golden will intercept the ball on a fade and next time it’s a catch … that’s going to help them get better.”
The Boilermakers would steal a garbage-time touchdown on a juggling 24-yard reception by Jesse Watson, but it made little difference. All told, Notre Dame prevailed in dominating fashion for a second straight season, besting Purdue 56-30 to capture the Shillelagh Trophy. The Irish outgained the Boilermakers 535-379, including an astonishing 254-76 advantage in the rushing game.
Freeman concluded by stressing the importance of cherishing success, but also recognized that his team’s performance wasn't perfect.
“You guys saw it. I saw it. There is work to do,” he said. “There are things we have to continue to try to get fixed.”
What’s next
Now at 2-2, Purdue will be idle next week before resuming Big Ten play on Oct. 4 against one-loss Illinois. The Fighting Illini, ranked No. 23 in the new AP Poll, will travel to West Lafayette as they pursue the program’s first CFP appearance.
Notre Dame’s early-season gauntlet will roll on next weekend, as they enter SEC country for a battle with Arkansas. Sam Pittman’s Razorbacks are 2-2, coming off consecutive close losses to unbeaten Mississippi and Memphis. Arkansas’ offense has been electric thus far, possessing the exterior speed and skill that plagued Notre Dame against Miami and Texas A&M. Saturday’s contest between the Razorbacks and the Irish from Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville is set for a noon kickoff, with a national broadcast on ABC.
