Notre Dame football finally got its first win of the 2025 season on Saturday afternoon, or evening due to the long weather delay, over in-state rival Purdue 56-30.
The Irish as a whole played much better than we saw in their previous two games, and the result shouldn’t be surprising given that fact. Notre Dame didn’t play a perfect game, but it was more than enough for them to get a multiple score win.
We all surely have some instant reactions from Notre Dame’s win, and here are the five that stick out to me the most.
Secondary still has issues
Sure, the Irish were missing safety Adon Shuler for the first half and star corner Leonard Moore, but entering the year, this looked like a strength of the team due to its depth. It was great to see Christian Gray getting a pick, but it wasn’t due to him making a play on the ball, it was off a tipped pass. He still deserves credit for making the play, as it led directly to a Notre Dame score. Freshman Dallas Golden had a pick late also, but it was when the game was out of hand. Mark Zackery had a few lapses as well, but overall this unit did play better, but still has areas to clean up.
Pass rush looked much better
It didn’t look great early for the Notre Dame defensive line, but as the game went on, they wore down the Boilermakers. All the sacks came after the lengthy weather delay as defensive tackles Donovan Hinish and Gabriel Rubio teamed up for one, and end Boubacar Traore and Bryce Young each took down the quarterback as well. It was a much better showing that we had seen in the previous two games, and it was great to see. There is too much talent in this unit for them to not perform at a high level, and they showed that today.
Offense looks much better when leaning on the run game
Quarterback CJ Carr threw just 12 passes on the day, competing ten of them for 223-yards and two scores. A lot of it had to do with two of his throws, a 66-yarder to Malachi Fields and a 48-yarder to Jordan Faison, both going for a score. Want to know what I noticed in each of those throws? There was no safety help due to the Irish being effective running the ball. Jeremiyah Love returned to form and had a career-high 157-yards today with two scores, and Jadarian Price seemingly scored a touchdown every time he touched the ball. This offense is so much better when they are running the ball, and it showed today.
But is Jordan Faison returning to form?
There is a big need for Notre Dame’s offense to have a second threat aside from Malachi Fields, who scored a touchdown today, and while many expected it to be Jaden Greathouse, he once again was a no-factor. It was Faison that had a huge game, catching 5 passes for 105-yards and a score. This is a great development for Carr, as he’s already found some footing with Fields, and it looks like he’s finding another in Faison.
A step in the right direction
If you thought that all of Notre Dame problems would get fixed in one week, you probably aren’t watching enough football. Sure, with two sides of the ball, they each can work on some aspects, but it’s a progression. The Irish did that today, they moved forward and got better in multiple areas. I highlighted more than a few above, and you also have to give credit to the offensive line as well. They looked much better, and the rushing statistics showed that even though they did allow a sack / fumble. A very positive outing for Notre Dame today, and it can build off this victory.
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This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Five instant reactions to Notre Dame’s blowout victory over the Purdue Boilermakers
Reporting by Michael Chen , Fighting Irish Wire / Fighting Irish Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
