Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/167574
Game Preview: Purdue the line, the Boilermakers believe junior end Ryan Russell (seven tackles, 2.5 for loss, at Notre Dame last year) can develop into an elite player like Short or AllAmerican Ryan Kerrigan in 2010. Purdue will face as dangerous a rushing attack as it will see in 2012 against Notre Dame's five running backs. The bulk of the carries are still up for grabs on a weekly basis, and Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly is adamant that each of the three juniors and two freshmen will get a fair shot until the production sorts itself out. Advantage: Notre Dame Notre Dame Passing Game Vs. Purdue Pass Defense Purdue returns three of four players in the secondary, losing only second-team All-Big Ten cornerback Josh Johnson from last year's unit. Senior cornerback Ricardo Allen has compiled four interception returns for touchdowns during his career to set the school record. If he records a fifth in 2013, he will tie a Football Bowl Subdivision record. It's mandatory for the Boilermakers to pressure senior quarterback Tommy Rees and force him into poor decisions. He played one of his best games as a starter in 2011 at Purdue when he completed 24 of 40 passes for 254 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. A year ago, he relieved Everett Golson in the fourth quarter and marched the offense down the field for a game-winning field goal. Notre Dame tight ends have tortured Purdue defenses in recent years, from Indiana native Tyler Eifert's 98 yards a year ago and touchdown in 2011 to Kyle Rudolph's game-winning catch with 25 seconds left to stun the Boilermakers in 2009. This year, junior tight end Troy Niklas is the big target in the middle of the Irish aerial attack, and he has already demonstrated his athleticism in the early season. Advantage: Notre Dame Special Teams Notre Dame's field goal kicking situation is a fluid one, with both junior Kyle Brindza and fifthyear senior Nick Tausch receiving opportunities to convert. Kelly prefers Brindza to solidify the role he thrived in last season, but both kickers will be used until one claims the job. If the Irish offense produces, Brindza won't have to worry about punting much. The Boilermakers returned most of their stellar contributors from last year's special teams. Senior punter Cody Webster has a strong leg and is one of the elite punters in the NCAA. Hunt is a skilled kick returner and scored once in that capacity last season on a 100-yard return, versus Ohio State. Junior Raheem Mostert is just as dangerous. Advantage: Purdue Coaching Purdue pried Darrell Hazell away from Kent State last offseason after the 49-year-old developed into one of the rising stars in the coaching profession. Two weeks after Cincinnati throttled his squad 42-7 in the season opener, Hazell faces one of the country's top coaches in Kelly. Irish defensive coordinator Bob Diaco's units have allowed 12, 10 and 17 (seven of which stemmed from a Notre Dame turnover) points, respectively, against the Boilermakers during his time at Notre Dame. This week, his defense will face an offense that returned just five starters from 2012. Advantage: Notre Dame Intangibles Despite Notre Dame's frequent struggles at RossAde Stadium (the Boilermakers won four of six matchups at home from 1997-2007 and the Irish escaped in 2009 with a last-second victory), Purdue is no match for Notre Dame. With the Boilermakers having already suffered a 35-point loss to Cincinnati this season under Hazell, they will likely struggle against an Irish team that has played well on the road. Advantage: Notre Dame