Game Preview: Purdue
surrendering lots of yards as long as the opponent is
denied the end zone.
Any turnovers will devastate Purdue's chances at
pulling off an early-season upset, and Henry will have
to avoid coughing up the football — his touchdownto-interception ratio is barely above 1:1 in his career.
Advantage: Notre Dame
Notre Dame Running Game
Vs. Purdue Run Defense
When these two teams met last year, the Boilermak-
ers' front controlled the line by limiting Notre Dame to
52 yards rushing, highlighted by five sacks. Purdue lost
a valuable component when Kawann Short graduated.
Yet even with his presence a year ago, the Purdue
front allowed 182.3 rushing yards per game — the
program's most since 2006.
Five of the front seven return, led by linebacker Will
Lucas, who finished with 66 tackles and 6.5 tackles for
loss in 2012. Three of the team's top six linebackers
graduated, but the returning players are an experienced group of mostly juniors and seniors. Along
Senior cornerback Ricardo Allen boasts a school-record four interception returns for touchdowns.
photo courtesy purdue media relations
