Notre Dame this year has been having a less than average season. Coming into the game today 0-4, the worst in schools history, Notre Dame really did not have much to lose. Although, Purdue coming into the game 4-0, did have something to prove because many people think of Purdue's schedule as weak and that is why they have won the season's first four games. During previous season starts, the Notre Dame versus Purdue game is really a measuring stick of whether or not Purdue is going to be good this year. Notre Dame is normally a powerhouse, although this year they are awful. The game today really wasn't a measuring stick and from my eyes was a bad game for Purdue to play. To be honest, I thought Purdue was going to lose the game today because Notre Dame really did not have any pressure on them and Purdue really needed to win.
Purdue did pull it out controlling the game from the very beginning. To me it seemed like Notre Dame was playing catch up the whole game after going into the locker room at half time being down 23-0.
In the second half, they came back fighting. They only scored once in the third quarter, but in fourth they had two touchdowns. The Irish really have improved since the beginning of the year, although they have a long way to go. ND quarterbacks showed some improvements today throwing for three touchdowns and really putting the ball on the mark in all three of those. Notre Dame still had a chance with only 7:58 still to go in the game only being down by 7 points, but that was it. Purdue then score again with 5:33 sealing the victory. Curtis Painter played well today, although he threw for 2 interceptions. I think against a top ranked team like Ohio State that could prove to be fatal. I also think the key for Notre Dame's loss today was missing the 2 pats, and also the penalties. They had 11 penalties for 110 yards. If they hadn't lost all the yards, I think it would have been a lot closer game. Overall Notre Dame has shown a lot of improvement, but once again, Purdue is too much of a match for them. Maybe Notre Dame should try playing a high school team to get their spirits up, or maybe not because it's possible they would get beaten by them also.
Purdue plays Ohio State next and Curtis Painter needs to come out and perform better than what he did today. His decision making was good other than those two interceptions, although Ohio States defense will give him some problems that he has yet to see this year. My prediction for next week is that Purdue will win because they are in a "winning-groove", and also because the coaches will prepare them for the biggest game on their schedule.