Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/167574
Game Preview: Purdue punts were downed inside the Notre Dame 20-yard line, including 52- and 55-yard efforts in the fourth quarter that pinned the Irish back at their 18 and 10 to help set up the dramatics late in the contest. The senior Webster returns with a 43.0-yard career average per punt, which entering the weekend of Sept. 7 was third among active punters in the Football Bowl Subdivision. In the opener against Cincinnati, his three punts averaged 56.3 yards, highlighted by a 73-yarder that was fumbled by the Bearcats and then recovered by Purdue. Meanwhile, Akeem Hunt and Raheem Mostert might be the most dangerous kick return duo in the country. Mostert was the NCAA FBS return leader as a freshman in 2011 with a 33.5-yard average. He had four returns of 71 yards or more last year, including a 99-yard touchdown against Western Michigan in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl. Mostert had a 41yard return at Notre Dame last year that set up a Purdue touchdown to make the halftime score 7-7. Hunt had 867 return yards last season, highlighted by a 100-yard touchdown at Ohio State. ✦ Predictions Tom Loy: Notre Dame 34, Purdue 6 Purdue is going to have its hands full with the Notre Dame offense. Quarterback Tommy Rees looks confident and poised, and if the running game is clicking, led by the play of George Atkinson III and Amir Carlisle, then the Irish should have a field day on offense against a porous Boilermakers defense. This game could have a similar feel to Notre Dame's defeat of Temple, with several more points scored. Dan Murphy: Notre Dame 31, Purdue 7 The Boilermakers haven't shown the offensive ability to run up a lot of points or sustain long drives. That will cause trouble for their defense. Notre Dame's offensive line will be able to grind away at the Purdue front seven all night. That mentality will keep the score relatively close until late in the game — another trademark never-in-doubt victory, but never-out-of-hand victory for Brian Kelly's team. Andrew Owens: Notre Dame 37, Purdue 7 The Irish often encounter difficulties in Ross-Ade Stadium, but this one will be a laugher. The Darrell Hazell era began in embarrassing fashion in a 42-7 loss to Cincinnati, and it's a sign of what should be a miserable season in West Lafayette. Notre Dame running backs should have a field day against a less than stout Purdue rush defense, and the Irish defenders will have no problem stifling the pass-happy Boilermakers. Lou Somogyi: Notre Dame 30, Purdue 13 Ross-Ade Stadium traditionally has been a snake pit for even the best of Notre Dame teams, although 2011 was an exception (a 38-10 Notre Dame win). Seldom has Purdue had poor back-to-back contests at home against the Irish. Expect this one to be tight in the first half, maybe even through three quarters, before the Irish depth takes hold and begins to impose its will.