SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 16: Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman looks on in action during a game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Central Michigan Chippewas on September 16, 2023 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, IN. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire)
Notre Dame and Purdue are no strangers to one another, but Saturday’s meeting at Notre Dame Stadium carries fresh weight for both programs. It will be the 89th all-time clash in a series that dates back to 1896, with the Irish holding a commanding 60-26-2 advantage.
For Marcus Freeman’s Notre Dame squad, the home date with Purdue is a chance to steady the ship after a heartbreaking start. Ranked No. 24/21 entering the week, the Irish sit at 0-2 following narrow losses — 27-24 at Miami (OH) and 41-40 against Texas A&M. Both defeats came down to the wire, leaving Freeman and his staff encouraged by the competitiveness but searching for a breakthrough.
Purdue, meanwhile, arrives at 2-1 under first-year head coach Barry Odom. The Boilermakers fell to USC last week, but their offense has already proven it can light up the scoreboard. Purdue ranks 17th nationally in passing offense (323.3 ypg) and 25th in total offense (480.3 ypg), averaging more than 42 points per game.
Notre Dame’s profile shows the opposite trend — strong through the air but struggling to establish balance. Freshman quarterback CJ Carr is coming off a 293-yard performance against Texas A&M, but the Irish ground game sits just 115th nationally at 114.5 rushing yards per game. Freeman will look for more production from his backfield duo of Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price.
Defensively, both teams have questions to answer. Notre Dame has allowed 413.5 yards per contest, ranking 108th nationally. Purdue isn’t far ahead at 77th (350.7 ypg allowed) and has particularly struggled against the pass, giving up 299.3 yards per game to rank 124th.
History also adds intrigue. The two programs compete for the Shillelagh Trophy, introduced in 1957, with Notre Dame holding 41 wins in the 60 trophy games. Last year’s 66-7 Irish rout in West Lafayette was the most lopsided result in series history.
For Freeman and Odom, Saturday offers more than bragging rights. It’s about direction: whether Notre Dame can finally turn close calls into wins, or if Purdue can prove it’s ready to knock off a ranked opponent on the road.
Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on NBC.
About the Author
Dalton Tinklenberg is the Founder and Media Director of The Scouting Depot, where he leads comprehensive coverage of college and professional football. He is an active member of some of the most respected organizations in sports journalism, including the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA), Maxwell Football Club, Online News Association (ONA), National Football Foundation (NFF), and the Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE).
Before launching The Scouting Depot, Dalton worked with Blue HQ Media, where he covered major sporting events such as the Indianapolis 500, the College Football Playoff, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
Through his professional affiliations and on-the-ground experience, Dalton combines deep knowledge of the game with recognized standards of storytelling, editorial excellence, and authenticity in sports coverage.
