No. 3 Notre Dame (3-0) at Purdue (1-2)
Ross-Ade Stadium | 2:00 PM ET | Peacock | Line: Notre Dame -27.5| Total: 57.5
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Five Players To Watch
Notre Dame DE Boubacar Traore
It's hard to single out standouts on Notre Dame's defense when so many players have shined, but Traore lived up to expectations as a dominant pass rusher to start this season. His win rate against true pass sets is 38.1% and he recorded six pressures against Michigan State. Purdue protects with five a lot, and that means he'll be single-blocked in pass protection, which could lead to another big day.
Purdue QB Ryan Browne
Browne looks like the most improved quarterback in the country to start this season. He has cut down on the interceptions and has been exceptionally accurate. His adjusted completion percentage went up from 71% to 80.2% and Purdue's passing offense is fifth in passing success rate. He has thrown for over 300 yards in each game this season, but he hasn't faced a defense anywhere close to Notre Dame's. Can he put up the same kind of numbers when the competition gets better?
Notre Dame S Joey O'Brien
O'Brien played 22 snaps in the first three games, but the true freshman might be elevated to a starting role if Luke Talich can't go. It's not an ideal situation for anyone to be put in when Notre Dame will be facing a prolific passing offense, but O'Brien was a 5-star for a reason. He and Ethan Long are extremely talented and we'll see how they handle added responsibility.
Purdue Slot Xavier Townsend
Purdue has two highly productive slot receivers in Townsend and Asaad Waseem. Waseem has been more of the deep/intermediate threat while Townsend has been dynamic after the catch on short passes. The Irish will have to contain the former high school running back who is averaging 10.3 yards after the catch per reception.
Notre Dame WR Micah Gilbert
There were plenty of questions about the boundary receiver position heading into the season, but Gilbert looks like he is exactly what Notre Dame has needed there. He's been a reliable pass catcher and a deep threat who cooked Michigan State for 170 yards. Everyone knows what he is capable of and now we'll see what he does for an encore.
Quotes of the Week
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman:
“I think every coach and every administration has to do what's best for their program. As far as speaking for our program, we would love to continue this longstanding rivalry for many different reasons. It's a great rivalry. It's a great opponent, a well-respected opponent and one that we value. If they decide to not continue to extend this rivalry, we'll make adjustments and fill our schedule with the right opponent.
“As far as this program, we do value it and hopefully it continues to carry forward.”
Notre Dame Special Teams Coordinator/Asst. DB Coach:
“We look at all kinds of situations and scenarios in terms of just trying to be aggressive. It’s something that we talk about. We spend a lot of time during the week, not just Xs and Os, but understanding the situation. We just felt like it was an opportunity.”
Notre Dame WR Matt Jeffery:
“I love every aspect of that. I'm an aggressive competitor as well. I just want to take all those chances that coach gives us, like the punt fake and trying to go block punts, stuff like that on special teams that gives us a little bit of an edge on other opponents.”
Notre Dame DL Francis Brewu:
“Pass rush was a thing I really wanted to focus on this year. I really wanted to get my pressure numbers up, you know. Sack numbers come, but pressure numbers really show, and win percentage really shows how many times you're beating offensive linemen. You can beat offensive linemen, and, you know, a quarterback will throw it. So our main focus this year is getting my pressure number up and win percentage up, and Coach Partridge helps me do that in every single way”
For Your Nerves
Notre Dame Fighting Irish Under Armour No Weigh Backpack
