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✦ top storylines: notre dame vs. purdue In this year's opening-game, a 42-7 loss at Cincinnati, Purdue turned the ball over four times compared to three takeaways. In game two against Football Championship Subdivision opponent Indiana State, the Boilermakers had zero turnovers compared to one by the Sycamores — an interception by star senior cornerback Ricardo Allen with 19 seconds left, after ISU had reached the Purdue 36-yard line, to preserve a 20-14 win. ATTENTION IRISH FANS Packages are available for all Notre Dame home games during the 2013 season 2013 HOME GAMES Aug. 31 Sept. 21 Sept. 28 Oct. 19 Nov. 2 Nov. 23 A Kick-Charge A major reason why Purdue was able to hang with Notre Dame drown to the wire last year was because of its punter, Cody Webster. Six of his seven 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 43.1yard career average per punt, which is second among active punters in the Football Bowl Subdivision, behind Florida's Kyle Christy (44.0). 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. Last week against Indiana State, his six punts averaged 46.7 yards. Webster is the current national leader in punting average with a 49.9 figure. 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 that season, including a 99-yard touchdown against Western Michigan in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl. Last year, Mostert had a 41-yard Senior punter Cody Webster averaged a nation-best 49.9 yards on his first nine punts this season, with a long of 73 yards and four placed inside the 20. photo courtesy purdue media relations return at Notre Dame 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. Then last week against Indiana State, he helped return the opening kickoff for a 99-yard score, traversing the final 90 yards after taking a handoff from redshirt freshman B.J. Knauf on a trick play. His 47.7 yards per return this season is second in the FBS to Alabama's Christian Jones (54.5). Despite the loss at Michigan, Notre Dame had its own good news on special teams, including converting all three field goals, solid coverage for the most part, four touchbacks, an 18-yard punt return by TJ Jones and a 50-yard kick return by George Atkinson III. "It's the first time since I've been here that we hit all of our goals on special teams," Kelly said. Winning the special teams battle again this week would be notable. ✦ Temple Michigan State Oklahoma USC Navy B.Y.U ALL HOME GAME PACKAGES INCLUDE *Game Tickets end zone to the 40 yard line. *Two Nights Hotel *Great Customer Service Please visit www.diamondtravel.com for complete details 1.602.870.9197 DIAMOND TRAVEL 25 YEARS IN BUSINESS ✦ Page 8