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Pharos-Tribune, Logansport, Ind.
Three matchups to watch for in Notre Dame's Week 4 game against Purdue
- Story byPharos-Tribune, Logansport, Ind.
- Three matchups to watch for in Notre Dame's Week 4 game against Purdue
Notre Dame has been pretty much right on par with expectations through three weeks. The Fighting Irish handled business against Wisconsin , Rice and Michigan State . The defense has been better than advertised and the offense has been solid, but lacking in a few spots.
That defense allows the third fewest points per game in the nation and has given up just 23 points all season. That defense will face its third Big Ten offense in four games as it heads to West Lafayette for its first road game.
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Purdue boasts arguably the best offense the Fighting Irish have seen all season. The Boilermakers have scored at least 35 points in all three games. However, their defense has struggled mightily and could provide Notre Dame with a chance to find a better offensive groove.
Purdue looks to be an improving program, but it still has to face a juggernaut in the No. 3 Fighting Irish who haven't lost to the Boilermakers since 2007.
"I think they're an ascending team," Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman said of Purdue on Monday. "I think they're much improved from last year. Their offense is really good. It will present some challenges that we haven't seen this year, especially with the quarterback and the way he is protecting the football and making good decisions."
Here are three key matchups to watch in the battle for The Shillelagh Trophy on Saturday at 2 p.m.
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Nolan James Jr./ Aneyas Williams vs. Purdue's front seven
It is well documented that Notre Dame's run game has been below average through three weeks. The Fighting Irish put together their best performance on the ground against Michigan State last week, compiling 161 rushing yards.
That mark was their most on the season to date, but efficiency still lagged behind, as those yards came on just 3.7 yards per carry. Nolan James Jr. and Aneyas Williams have been the two main running backs this season and the Purdue front seven could be exactly what they need to face in order to find a groove.
The Boilermakers allow an average of 207 rushing yards per game, which is the 13th-highest mark in college football. In their 52-38 loss to UCLA last week, the Bruins rushed for 369 yards and four touchdowns. Jame's Jr. and Williams could expose that front seven and have big games to spark the Notre Dame offense.
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Notre Dame's secondary vs. Purdue's playmakers
Purdue's offensive success has hinged on its wide receiver duo of Asaad Wassem and Xavier Townsend. The receivers have combined for 588 receiving yards and three touchdowns on 39 catches.
The Notre Dame secondary tasked with slowing them down has been exceptional this season, but will also be a little shorthanded.
Cornerback Leonard Moore will likely shut down one side of the field as he has done all season, leaving DJ McKinney on the other side to handle Wassem/Townsend.
Safety Adon Shuler has been a wrecking ball coming in from the back end, making big plays and forcing turnovers. However, the other safety spot is where questions start to arise.
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Brauntae Johnson started the year as the other safety, but got hurt in Week 1. Former walk-on Luke Talich seamlessly stepped in and performed at a high level over the next two games, recording 11 tackles, a sack, a fumble recovery and an interception. However, Talich suffered a wrist injury against Michigan State and will be out against Purdue.
Freeman said true freshman Joey O'Brien will step into Talich's spot now. O'Brien has drawn high praise for making an impact on special teams and he's had a good week of practice.
"The young safeties have done a really good job," Freeman said on Thursday. "Joey O'Brien has really done a great job at practice. He's a guy that we knew could go in the game at any moment last week. He was the backup and he's done a great job in the starting role this week. We have a lot of confidence in what he can do."
CJ Carr vs. Ryan Browne
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While these two won't directly face off, they have been two of the more impressive quarterbacks in college football through three weeks.
Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr has been as advertised and maybe a little better than that so far. The junior has completed 72.6% of his passes for 726 yards and six touchdowns with no interceptions. His poise and accuracy have been especially impressive and he has displayed the ability to make throws all over the field.
Purdue quarterback Ryan Browne went through his share of struggles as a junior last season. He completed just 58.9% of his passes and had one more interception than touchdowns thrown. This season, he has looked like a different passer.
Browne's completion percentage has jumped to 73.3%; he's thrown seven touchdowns to just one interception and he has the Boilermaker offense humming. Notre Dame's stout defense will be something Browne has not seen this season, but he and Carr should still put together an exciting quarterback duel.
