Notre Dame vs. Purdue score, takeaways: Fighting Irish flatten Boilermakers for much-needed bounceback

Notre Dame flexes muscles for a 66-7 win over the Boilermakers

No. 18 Notre Dame cruised to a 66-7 victory over Purdue to rebound after a crushing loss to Northern Illinois in Week 2. The Fighting Irish scored 42 unanswered points in the first half and never looked back, even pulling quarterback Riley Leonard after the half. 

Leonard and running back Jeremiyah Love combined for more than 200 yards and four touchdowns on the ground as the Fighting Irish ground Purdue's defensive front to a pulp. Three players finished with at least 80 yards rushing and a touchdown as the Fighting Irish posted 364 yards rushing in a dominant performance. Leonard was the first Notre Dame quarterback with 100 yards rushing and three rushing touchdowns since Brandon Wimbush in 2017. 

The trenches on the other side weren't much better for the Boilermakers as Purdue surrendered four sacks to Notre Dame's front and barely averaged 1.0 yards per carry. Quarterback Hudson Card posted only 124 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. More than 50 yards came on one broken play to set up the touchdown. 

The dominant win was much needed for Notre Dame after becoming the first top-five team to lose to a MAC opponent in history. The 59-point victory shatters the previous biggest margin of victory in the series, set in 1992. This was the seventh straight victory for Notre Dame against Purdue. 

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Notre Dame settles nerves

The Fighting Irish were coming off one of the worst losses in program history against Northern Illinois a week ago, but the performance against Purdue helps settle that this team still has plenty of potential. Marcus Freeman teams are built around playing strong defense and running the ball, and the Irish got back to business against Purdue. 

Perhaps most encouraging, Notre Dame got some real production in the passing game. While Riley Leonard is still finding his footing, offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock sent his receivers side-to-side and got 112 yards passing from Leonard on 16 attempts. Backup quarterback Steve Angeli is one to watch, too, with 100 yards and two scores in garbage time. The quarterback situation in general looks encouraging. 

 
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Boilermakers hit bottom rung

Purdue struggling against Notre Dame isn't a new trend, but the performance on Saturday left plenty to be desired. The Boilermakers got completely wiped off the field by Notre Dame and looked like they didn't belong at the same level. Purdue mustered only 162 yards and gave quarterback Hudson Card almost no support. 

Purdue coach Ryan Walters is a defensive coordinator by trade, but the team did not look prepared for the moment on either side. The Boilermakers lost every single statistical category, from turnovers to yards per carry to third down efficiency. They were unfortunate to catch Notre Dame in a bounce-back spot after a loss last week, but there are many losses left on the schedule if this is the production they get. 

 
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OL injuries mar win

Notre Dame's offensive line played exceptionally well in the matchup, but the Fighting Irish face some major question marks along the unit after injuries. The Fighting Irish only returned two linemen with starting experience heading into the season -- center Ashton Carter and right guard Billy Schrauth -- both needed help leaving the field with leg injuries. 

The Fighting Irish were one of the youngest offensive lines in football, especially after losing multiple potential starting linemen to injury over the offseason. Notre Dame needs both players back and healthy to make it through a 12-game season. The depth is completely unproven. 

 
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Angeli showing some moves

End 3Q: Notre Dame 52, Purdue 7

Notre Dame is mostly chewing clock in the second half, but backup quarterback Steve Angeli has flashed some potential. Angeli completed 5-of-6 passes for 91 yards and two touchdowns in the quarter, including a 28-yard throw on his first attempt for a touchdown. He added a 29-yard scramble to keep the ball moving. Notre Dame's backup quarterback situation looks to be in good hands. 

 
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Purdue sets up TD with broken play

3Q: Notre Dame 49, Purdue 7

Purdue took advantage of a Notre Dame miscommunication for the first chunk play of the day to set up a touchdown. Two Irish defenders ran into each other in cover, which set up a 52-yard connection from quarterback Hudson Card to Kam Brown to get into the red zone. Two plays later, Card hit De'Nylon Morrissette for a five-yard touchdown to finally get on the board. The 75-yard drive essentially doubled Purdue's yardage, though many of the yards were against Notre Dame's backups. 

 
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Leonard's day is done

3Q: Notre Dame 49, Purdue 0

Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard has been pulled after just one half for backup Steve Angeli. Leonard posted 112 yards passing and 100 yards passing with three scores on the ground to help Notre Dame take control of the game. Angeli didn't waste any time, throwing a 28-yard touchdown on his first attempt to extend the lead once more. 

 
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ND defense still eating

Purdue decided to try and convert a fourth down on the first drive of the second drive to set the tone, but a Hudson Card pass was nearly picked off and Notre Dame gets the ball back in positive field position. Nothing has gone right for Purdue, not even a play. 

 
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Bad day gets worse

2Q: Notre Dame 35, Purdue 0

Purdue quarterback Hudson Card has been under duress all day and it finally went the wrong direction. Card lost the ball while getting sacked late in the second quarter and the ball was recovered by Notre Dame defensive lineman Boubacar Traore and returned for a touchdown. The unfortunate play made the matchup a 35-point game with only minutes until halftime. Purdue has been unable to hang in any aspect of the game. 

 
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Another OL down for ND

Notre Dame had only two offensive linemen with starting experience heading into the year. Both have gone down against Purdue. Center Ashton Craig went down after appearing to get rolled up on by a Purdue defender. He needed help getting to the sideline, but was able to walk with help. Craig joined right guard Billy Schrauth as the only Notre Dame linemen with starting experience coming into the year, leaving the unit extremely young. Both have now left the game. 

 
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Key ND defender goes down

Notre Dame defensive lineman Jordan Botelho went down with what appeared to be a non-contact knee injury in the first half against Purdue. Botelho was carted off the field. The senior recorded his first sack of the season against Purdue and was a terror against the Boilermakers early. In his stead, freshman Bryce Young entered the lineup at the edge position. Botelho is the second Notre Dame starter to go down with an apparent knee injury against Purdue. 

 
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Irish keep pouring on

2Q: Notre Dame 21, Purdue 0

Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard broke off a 34-yard scramble for a touchdown and the Irish are running away from the Boilermakers. All three of Purdue's touchdown drives have gone at least 68 yards and primarily come on the ground. Running back Jeremiyah Love and quarterback Riley Leonard have combined for 161 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. Purdue has only 46 total yards. 

 
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OL starter ruled out

Notre Dame right guard Billy Schrauth it out for the rest of the game after suffering an apparent leg injury in the first quarter against Purdue. Schrauth went to the locker room to be evaluated and returned to the field without pads and on crutches. The sophomore started three games for the Irish in 2023 in relief and won a starting job over the offseason. 

In his stead, backup Rocco Spindler entered the game. The Irish are inexperienced on the offensive line, especially after losing multiple players to injury during fall camp. 

 
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Notre Dame rolling

End 1Q: Notre Dame 14, Purdue 0

Notre Dame came into Week 3 far more focused and is bullying Purdue on the ground to take an early lead. The Irish have rushed for 124 yards on 10.3 yards per carry, including a 48-yard breakaway touchdown from running back Jeremiyah Love. The Boilermakers have failed to generate any consistent offense and sit at just 10 yards rushing. Quarterback Hudson Card has missed on more passes against Notre Dame in one quarter (four) than a full game against Indiana State (one). 

 
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Irish imposing will on ground

Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard has still been conservative through the air, but the Irish have started to physically take over the game. The Irish rushed the ball six times for 51 yards -- including a 21-yard run by Jeremiyah Love -- as part of an 11-play touchdown drive capped off by a Leonard run. Notre Dame lost starting right guard Billy Scrauth during the drive, but the Irish were still able to keep the ball moving. 

 
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Irish lose key lineman

Notre Dame offensive lineman Billy Schrauth suffered an apparent leg injury in the first quarter against Purdue. While blocking, Schrauth appeared to get rolled up on by Purdue defensive lineman Joe Anderson and his leg bent awkwardly. Schrauth was helped off the field by trainers and replaced by junior Rocco Spindler. The Irish are inexperienced on the offensive line and Scrauth was a three-game starter in 2023 when he returned to campus in 2024. 

 
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Purdue looking for life

After the breakaway touchdown from Notre Dame on the first drive, Purdue and ND have traded punts. The offenses haven't found much consistency. Purdue especially was stifled on the ground, with three yards on the first drive. The game could come down to Hudson Card and the receivers creating explosive plays to keep Purdue in it. 

 
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Love sets tone early

1Q: Notre Dame 7, Purdue 0

Notre Dame has hit the ground early and the underclassman-filled offensive line has created opportunities for the Irish. Running back Jeremiyah Love got the scoring started early for the Irish, breaking off a 48-yard touchdown run to take a quick 7-0 lead against Purdue. Notre Dame has had little trouble going side-to-side against the Boilermakers and the Purdue front has struggled to keep pace and get to the edge. 

 
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Notre Dame starts

Notre Dame gets the ball first and the offense needs to get off to a better start. The Irish mustered only 14 points against Northern Illinois, and it came on the first drive. Purdue's secondary is aggressive and well coached, so Notre Dame can't afford to make mistakes down the field. 

 
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Game prediction

Many successful coaching tenures at Purdue were highlighted with historic wins over Notre Dame, and this certainly appears to be a fallible version. If the Boilermakers can protect quarterback Hudson Card, he represents one of the best quarterbacks the Fighting Irish will defend this season. Notre Dame will pull away for a victory, but Purdue will give the Irish their best shot. Pick: Purdue +10.5

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Hudson Card continues Purdue QB legacy

Purdue quarterback Hudson Card probably didn't think much about West Lafeyette when he came out of high school. However, Card is tapping into a long legacy of successful Texan quarterbacks at Purdue -- one of whom left as the greatest Boilermaker of all time. 

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