Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/82255
On Paper Revisted By Lou Somogyi Purdue Running Game Vs. Notre Dame Run Defense It is going to be difficult for anyone to run on Notre Dame this year as long as the unit stays relatively healthy. Even with fifth-year senior defensive end Kapron Lewis-Moore (strained calf) injured during the first half and his substitute, freshman Sheldon Day, suffering from dehydration, Purdue’s running backs accounted for only 64 yards on 20 carries. Sophomore defensive end Stephon Tuitt and junior nose guard Louis Nix III were anchors throughout the contest, both against the run and pass, making it far easier for their compatriots at linebacker and in the secondary to clean up on plays. This should continue to be Notre Dame’s top strength through 2012. Advantage: Notre Dame Purdue Passing Game Vs. Notre Dame Pass Defense Tuitt and Nix combined for 3.5 sacks, in addition to two quarterback hurries by Tuitt and two deflected passes by Nix. Purdue had its share of yards after the catch on several missed tackles by Notre Dame’s secondary, but the Boilermakers also dropped several catchable balls. Bennett Jackson’s first interception set up a two-score advantage (17-7) in the third quarter. If you can limit a passing attack to about only 50 percent (19 of 37) and 5.4 yards per attempt (anything under 6.0 is outstanding), plus generate two interceptions and four sacks, you’ve won that battle as a defense. Advantage: Notre Dame Notre Dame Running Game Vs. Purdue Run Defense The Irish rushed for 293 yards in the opener against Navy and 287 in a 38‑10 trouncing of Purdue last year, yet managed a paltry 52 this time against the Boilermakers. Granted, five quarterback sacks resulted in 46 yards in losses, but senior running back Theo Riddick netted only 53 yards on 15 carries. The Irish attempted only one designed rushing play by a back in the first quarter, conceding that it was not going to be able to penetrate against the Boilermakers stacked front that featured seven and sometimes even eight men in the box. They were going to make sophomore quarterback Everett Golson pass. A case could be made that several quick pitches to Riddick that picked up good yardage could be considered “running plays” rather than a forward pass. Golson was used on the read option a couple of times to keep the defense honest, but sophomore speedster George Atkinson III’s lone carry netted zero yards. Advantage: Purdue Notre Dame Passing Game Vs. Purdue Pass Defense Boilermakers defensive tackle Kawaan Short demonstrated why he is a potential first-round NFL pick with his two sacks and the general havoc he wreaked up front, helping result in five sacks by Purdue. Still, Golson extended plays on several occasions — most notably a 30-yard toss to sophomore tight end Troy Niklas on third down to lead the first touchdown drive — and the plan to roll him out and move him in the pocket paid off. One of the game’s most important plays was his option-like run down the line on third-and-16, and then fading back in Tony Rice-like (1987-89) fashion to deliver a 22-yard strike to senior tight end Tyler Eifert on the second touchdown drive. Four different Irish receivers caught four passes in much more diverse patterns than in the opener. Golson completed 21 of 31 throws for 289 yards with no interceptions, and then junior signal caller Tommy Rees provided the ideal insurance policy on the game-winning drive. Advantage: Notre Dame Special Teams A missed 40-yard field goal by Notre Dame’s Kyle Brindza in the first quarter and Purdue’s 41-yard kickoff return to its 42 to set up the tying touchdown by halftime gave the Boilermakers the edge in the first half. Brindza came through in the second half with a 30-yard field goal in the third quarter and the 27-yard game winner with seconds left. However, the top performer was Purdue punter Cody Webster, who pinned Notre Dame inside its 20 six times. His 52- and 55-yard punts in the fourth quarter forced the Irish to open drives on their 18 and 10, helping keep Purdue in the game. Advantage: Purdue Third-Down Conversions The story of the game was the clutch third-down passing of Golson during the first two touchdown drives and then by Rees on the game-winning drive. Overall, the Irish were 11 of 19 (57.9 percent), while Purdue was 6 of 17 (35.3 percent). However, Purdue did convert all three of its fourth down attempts, most notably the 15-yard touchdown on fourth-and-10 from the Irish 15 with 2:12 remaining in the contest. Advantage: Notre Dame Turnovers Notre Dame had a 2-1 edge, but we call it even because the interception by junior cornerback Bennett Jackson on the final play came on an overthrown, desperate “Hail Mary” attempt. Jackson’s first interception set the Irish up at the Purdue 20 for a field goal and a 17-7 lead. Golson’s fumble at his 15 led to Purdue’s touchdown that tied the game at 17. Advantage: Even Analysis No victory against a BCS conference foe should ever be taken for granted. The Irish lost mainstays such as Eifert (slight concussion), Lewis-Moore (strained calf), safety Jamoris Slaughter (shoulder), Cat linebacker Ishaq Williams (elbow), Day (dehydration), wideout DaVaris Daniels (sprained ankle) and even kicker Nick Tausch (groin injury) prior to the game, yet prevailed against a game and veteran Purdue squad. The defense was the rock through all four quarters, while the offense and special teams came through when most needed.