The third-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish are set to showcase their elite-level defense on Saturday against the 2-1 North Carolina (UNC) Tar Heels in Chapel Hill. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect Notre Dame (4-0) is seeking their first 5-0 start to a campaign since 2020, when the Irish opened the year as winners of ten straight. Saturday’s noon matchup with the Tar Heels will be the first time the sides face off since 2022, with the Irish currently owning a five-game streak over UNC. For UNC, the Tar Heels are coming off a bye that followed their first loss of the season. They most recently suffered an eight-point road defeat at Clemson in a game that was interrupted by a nearly two and a half hour weather delay. UNC Results (2-1) 15-10 win vs TCU (in Ireland) 35-3 win vs ETSU 20-28 loss at Clemson Overall, UNC’s offense has been very average, with a tendency to lean on the run to open 2026. This past offseason, the Tar Heels hired Bobby Petrino for their Offensive Coordinator role. Petrino most recently served as OC and interim Head Coach at Arkansas from 2024-25. The Irish got a look at Petrino’s 2025 Razorbacks when they held the explosive offense that finished 19th in the country in total offense to just 13 points and 365 yards. Before this most recent Arkansas stint, Petrino had previously spent time as head coach at Louisville (twice), Arkansas, Western Kentucky, and Missouri State, posting a 137-78 record during this time. UNC enters Saturday averaging a modest 366 total yards per game, including 211 yards via the air and 155 via the ground. The Tar Heels are also averaging 23.3 points per game, but have limited their turnovers to just four, with three lost fumbles and one interception. It could be a long day for the Tar Heels offense this week, as they prepare to go against a defense that is ranked among the best in the country in nearly every key statistic. See where Notre Dame ranks among FBS defenses below: 199.3 total yards per game allowed (1st) 3.6 yards per play allowed (2nd) 8.3 points per game allowed (2nd) 3 touchdowns allowed (tied-1st) 1 rushing touchdown allowed (1 of 10 teams to have allowed 1 or fewer) 53.8 rushing yards per game allowed (5th) 1.7 yards per carry allowed (3rd) 145.5 passing yards per game allowed (9th) 9 turnovers forced (tied-7th) 6 fumble recoveries (tied-1st) 13 sacks (tied-9th) 3.25 sacks per game (tied-12th) Some leaders of the Irish defense that have contributed to this success so far include LB Drayk Bowen (22 tackles, 1 PBU, 1 fumble returned for a TD), EDGEs Bryce Young (14 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, 3 sacks, 1 forced fumble) and Boubacar Traore (9 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble returned for a TD), and CB Leonard Moore (7 tackles, 2 PBUs). Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Now, let’s get to know the UNC offensive personnel ahead of Saturday’s matchup: Quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. UNC Starting QB Billy Edwards Jr. faced some outside criticism following the team’s loss to Clemson, but HC Belichick remains firm in his belief in the 6-3, 220-pound signal-caller. Edwards transferred to Chapel Hill this past offseason as a Graduate transfer with previous stops at Wake Forest, Maryland, and Wisconsin. The Springfield, Virginia native committed to Wake Forest out of Lake Braddock High School. Edwards spent one season with the Demon Deacons, where he redshirted and did not appear in any games. He would then enter the portal and transfer to Maryland in 2022. Maryland is where Edwards has found his most success in college. He appeared in 26 games across three years with the Terrapins, completing 63% of his throws for 3,317 yards and 19 touchdowns with 10 interceptions. He also flashed some dual-threat abilities during this time with 377 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns across 144 carries. Following three seasons at Maryland, Edwards would transfer to Wisconsin in 2025. The Virginia native threw 7/16 for 113 yards in two games played before suffering a season-ending PCL injury. Through three games at his fourth program, Edwards is 44/78 (56%) passing for 611 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. These numbers are mostly carried by the QB’s 15/20, 244-yard, two-touchdown performance against ETSU. Meanwhile, against TCU and Clemson, Edwards has just a 32.7% completion rate with one touchdown and one interception. Edwards came over to UNC with valuable prior starting experience. Like most QBs, if you let the Tar Heel signal-caller get into a rhythm, he does become dangerous in terms of accuracy, as seen by his ETSU game and past performances from his time at Maryland. It can be a long day for Edwards if he does not settle, as he was just 4/13 when pressured in the loss at Clemson. Also, the grad-transfer is a solid runner who is capable of using his legs to pick up gains if needed. Notably, Edwards’ deep throws have been very inconsistent this season. Running Backs Benjamin Hall UNC’s featured ball-carrier through three games has been RB Benjamin Hall. The 5-11, 230-pound redshirt junior is in his second season with the Tar Heels following two years at Michigan. Hall committed to Michigan out of North Cobb High School in Georgia as a three-star recruit. The Kennesaw native played in 11 games during his two seasons in Ann Arbor, redshirting in 2023 after making just three appearances. Hall rushed for 141 yards on 44 carries and added four catches for 12 yards during his time with the Wolverines. Last season, Hall entered the portal and transferred to UNC. He made 11 starts, including one start in his debut season with the Heels. He finished the year with 71 carries for 274 yards and two touchdowns while contributing eight catches for 34 yards as a receiving option. Through his first three games handling a significant workload, Hall has rushed for 215 yards on 33 carries. He ran for a season-high 130 yards on 18 carries in the loss at Clemson. While he has not found the end zone as a rusher, he has hauled in two receiving touchdowns across four catches for 42 yards. He has at least one catch in each game and receiving scores in each of the past two games. Hall has been an efficient runner this season, averaging a solid 6.5 yards per carry. He possesses a physical build and, clearly, his production has skyrocketed compared to 2025. He is also reliable as a receiving threat. Notably, Hall did struggle in Ireland against TCU, rushing for just 36 yards and losing a fumble on 11 carries. Finally, while I would not classify it as much of an issue given the production, his lack of a rushing score could become a storyline to watch. Others to watch: Jaylen McGill, Demon June Receivers Jordan Shipp UNC’s leading receiver from 2025 is off to another productive start in his third season with the Tar Heels. Shipp originally committed to UNC as a four-star recruit out of Providence Day High School in Charlotte. Shipp entered the 2026 season with 24 games played, including 13 starts. During this time, he compiled 69 receptions for 785 yards and seven touchdowns. He was named an All-ACC Honorable Mention in 2025. This season, the 6-2, 200-pound junior has 13 catches for 164 yards, including at least two catches in each game. He impressed against TCU when he recorded five catches for 71 yards and on the road at Clemson when he finished with six catches for 68 yards. Shipp has been consistently targeted and involved in UNC’s pass offense this season, averaging 12.6 yards per catch. He uses his good hands and route-running ability to beat defenses, as he is not necessarily described as an elite athlete. Shipp’s physicality can improve, as he can struggle to separate when pressed. Mason Humphrey The big, physical target of this receiving group is the 6-4, 210-pound senior Mason Humphrey. The Loganville, Georgia native is in his first year at UNC following three years at Lehigh. Humphrey made 29 starts across 32 games played at Lehigh, racking up 90 catches for 1,423 yards and 10 touchdowns. Through three games of FBS football, Humphrey has three receptions for 38 yards with one catch in each game. He displayed big-play upside during his time at Lehigh as a potential red zone and downfield threat, but this FCS production has not translated yet. Trech Kekahuna The most versatile piece of this group has been Trech Kekahuna. The 5-10, 185-pound redshirt junior is in his first season at UNC following three years at Wisconsin. Kekahuna originally committed to Wisconsin as a four-star recruit coming out of high school. The Honolulu native spent his first three years at Saint Louis High School in Hawaii before transferring to Bishop Gorman in Las Vegas as a senior. At Wisconsin, Kekahuna recorded 55 catches for 614 yards and two touchdowns across 29 games played with the Badgers, including seven starts. He also added 15 carries for 140 yards and a touchdown as a runner. Through three games with the Tar Heels, Kekahuna has posted six catches for 71 yards and two carries for 18 yards. He has at least one catch in each game and posted season-highs against TCU when he recorded three receptions for 38 yards. Kekahuna is off to a solid and efficient start to 2026, averaging 11.8 yards per reception. He has displayed good hands and is a legit threat after the catch thanks to his quickness, toughness, and high-level contact balance. A lack of explosive plays through three games is a bit disappointing for the Wisconsin transfer, and he did lose a fumble in the win against TCU. Kekahuna has largely filled in for C.J. Sadler, who did not appear against Clemson while dealing with an off-the-field situation. It is currently unknown if Sadler will suit up this Saturday. Others to watch: C.J. Sadler (DNP vs Clemson) Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Tight Ends Jelani Thurman Ohio State transfer Jelani Thurman has emerged as one of the more productive tight ends in the country early into his UNC career. The 6-6, 245-pound TE originally committed to Ohio State as a four-star recruit out of Langston Hughes High School in Georgia. Thurman spent three seasons with the Buckeyes, hauling in 13 catches for 144 yards and two touchdowns across 33 games played, including one start. Through three games with UNC, Thurman has 11 catches for 183 yards and one touchdown. The redshirt junior has at least three catches in each game and impressed against TCU when he hauled in four receptions for a season-high 94 yards. Thurman is averaging an eye-popping 16.6 yards per catch this season, but he did struggle against Clemson when he finished the loss with just 18 yards on three catches. The former Buckeye possesses great size and good athleticism, but will have to prove he can maintain this production. Thurman also has good run blocking potential, but has been inconsistent as of late. Others to watch: Carson Sneed, Shamar Easter Offensive Line LT Jordan Hall UNC’s big-bodied starting LT is Jordan Hall. The 6-8, 310-pound redshirt junior is in his second year with the Tar Heels as a former UAB transfer. The Columbus, Ohio native committed to UAB as a three-star recruit out of KIPP Columbus High School. Hall spent two years with the Blazers, redshirting and not playing in 2023 and appearing in 12 games, with one start, in 2024. Hall transferred to UNC last season, where he made four starts across five games played. His emergence at the end of 2025 has set him up for success this season. The redshirt junior possesses elite size and length, and he is a good athlete for his size. Hall has good pass-blocking potential, but struggled against Clemson when he allowed seven pressures, five hurries, and one sack in the road loss. This has been a theme for Hall when going against high-level pass-rushers, like Notre Dame employs. LG Andrew Threatt Probably the weakest point of a fairly strong offensive line has been the left guard position. Threatt is a 6-3, 320-pound senior transfer from Charleston Southern, where he spent the previous three years. Threatt originally committed to Charleston Southern out of Chesterfield High School in South Carolina. He appeared in 30 games, with 12 starts, during his time at Charleston Southern, and was named First Team All-OVC in 2025. Threatt has brought this solid prior experience to Chapel Hill for 2026. He is versatile enough to kick out to tackle, has a durable and physical frame, and flashes good run-blocking potential. However, the senior did struggle against Clemson all-around, including as a run blocker and against the pass rush with three pressures allowed. Overall, his pass protection has been inconsistent and will likely struggle against stronger, more physical defensive fronts. C Christo Kelly UNC’s starting center will be 6-4, 310-pound graduate student, Christo Kelly. The Wilmette, Illinois native is in his second season with the Tar Heels following five years at Holy Cross. Kelly committed to Holy Cross out of Loyola Academy. During his extended time with the program, he made 23 starts across 36 games played. Notably, Kelly did not appear in any games and redshirted the 2020 season. In his final season at Holy Cross, the center was named to the 2024 First Team All-Patriot League. Last season, Kelly transferred to UNC, where he appeared in two games before suffering a season-ending injury. Now healthy, the grad student has been one of the more consistent pieces of this line. He has solid prior experience from his time at Holy Cross, although he is still limited against FBS competition. Kelly has flashed as a good run blocker and has been hailed as a reliable presence with good leadership and communication skills. His pass protection has been a bit inconsistent after allowing a sack and two pressures in week one against TCU. RG Aidan Banfield Holding down the right guard position this season has been Aidan Banfield. The 6-3, 300-pound junior is in his third year at UNC after committing to the Heels as a three-star recruit out of Mill Creek High School in Georgia. Prior to 2026, Banfield had made 15 starts across 16 games played at UNC. Unfortunately, the Buford native had his 2025 campaign cut short due to a season-ending lower-body injury after five games played. Banfield provides this line with a proven, reliable starter that excels as a pass blocker. He plays with good size and physicality; however, his run blocking has lagged behind his pass protection. RT Jacqawn McRoy Another mammoth tackle, the 6-8, 330-pound McRoy stars on the right side of this line. The redshirt sophomore is in his first season at UNC following previous one-year stints at Oregon and Arkansas. A former four-star Under Armour All-American, McRoy first committed to Oregon out of Clay-Chalkville High School in Alabama. He spent one season with the Ducks, where he did not play and redshirted the year. Last season, McRoy transferred to Arkansas under OC Bobby Petrino. The Alabama native made one start across six appearances with the Razorbacks, but Notre Dame fans may remember his touchdown scored against the Irish in last year’s ND-Arkansas matchup. Rushing Touchdown vs Notre Dame (2025) McRoy has elite size and physicality. He has been solid in pass protection and has good upside as he reunited with Petrino this offseason. The former Razorback’s run blocking has lagged behind his pass protection, a potential flaw of his huge frame. Overall, he is still fairly limited in terms of his previous experience. Others to watch: OG Cristian Alavarez Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook / Instagram / X / Threads / TikTok Follow @Brenden_Duffy on X Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join the #1 Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

The Fighting Irish have all their season goals intact with a 4-0 record for the first time in Marcus Freeman's tenure as head coach. With the first third of games now under their belt, let's take a look at a few things we've learned. Photo by USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect CJ Carr is as Good as Advertised Coming into the season, CJ Carr had higher expectations than anyone else on this team, and maybe the entire country. Through four games, Carr has lived up to the hype. He hasn't done it with video game-like stats, an iconic play, or any true standout moment. Instead, he has impressed many with a calm, cool, and collected approach to the game that has the Fighting Irish in the driver's seat. Carr is a prototypical pocket passer who shows true control over the entire offense. He seems more confident in making checks at the line of scrimmage and poised to take exactly what the defense is giving him. Last year, there were times where he tried to force the big play, which usually landed him in trouble. Now, he seemingly always makes the right decision, knowing when to check it down and when to cut it loose. All of those good decisions have led him to a 70% completion percentage, 963 yards, nine touchdowns, and only one interception. If Carr continues to play like this, Notre Dame should feel good about their chances every game they play this season, but with the schedule about to stiffen, his best will likely be needed. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! The Run Game is Still a Work-in-Progress After losing Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price, it is no surprise that the run game is not what it was last season. Aneyas Williams and Nolan James Jr. appeared to be a seamless transition at the position, especially with the offensive line returning. While it has not been atrocious, the rushing attack has left something to be desired through four weeks. To start, it has lacked the consistent ability to provide chunk plays for this offense. It was not until this most recent game against Purdue that the Notre Dame run game provided a run of 20 yards or more. Second, it has not been an efficient way to gain yards, averaging just over four yards per carry. Before Purdue, that number was below four. Against the Boilermakers, this group had its best game of the early campaign, averaging 5.5 yards per carry. This is a hopeful sign for the Irish that the run game is continuing to improve as the season wears on. While the passsing attack has been good, Notre Dame will need the rushing attack to pick up some steam if they plan to reach preseason expectations. National Championship teams are almost always some of the best running teams in the country; if that is the case for the Irish, they have a lot of work to do. The Notre Dame Defense is as Good as it Gets Freeman has made defense a staple of his teams at Notre Dame during his tenure. While some of this may be his philosophy or tactics, it also reflects the elite-level talent he has been able to recruit. Looking at this defense, they are talented everywhere, and it shows up on the field. As the only defense in the country to allow fewer than 200 yards per game, Chris Ash's unit has smothered teams through four games. While the secondary has been lights out, it's the defensive line that has been dictating the terms of these first four games. Francis Brewu and Tionne Gray have both been excellent additions through the portal, adding real size and strength in the middle of the defensive line. On the edge, Boubacar Traore, Bryce Young, and freshman Rodney Dunham have been wreaking havoc on opposing QB's, accounting for 6.5 sacks between the three of them. The start of this season has been a revelation for Young, who is finally living up to the hype and the legacy of his father, Bryant Young. In total, this defensive line has accounted for 13 sacks and has held every run game in check. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle On the back end, the secondary has been just as good. Led by superstar corner Leonard Moore, the Irish secondary is currently giving up just 89 passing yards per game, which is second-best in the country. They have also recorded three interceptions, all three coming against their strongest opponents thus far. DJ McKinney was responsible for the first pick of the season against Wisconsin, taking it back for a touchdown in the season opener. As a transfer, he has bolstered an already strong cornerback group that contains Moore, Christian Gray, and Michigan transfer Jayden Sanders. Starting safety Adon Shuler has looked the best he has in a Notre Dame uniform, as he continues to be a physical presence capable of creating turnovers. Next to him, Brauntae Johnson, Luke Talich, and Joey O'Brien have all been strong options at safety, marking it as one of the deepest positions on this team. All of this before even mentioning how good the Notre Dame linebackers have been this season. Drayk Bowen continues to be the leader in the middle of the field who seems to be everywhere. The return of Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa has been a huge plus for this entire defense. When healthy, he is one of the best linebackers in the country, and in his return against Rice, he made it apparent from the jump. Depth may be this Team's Superpower In an era of college football where the depth of teams is being tested now more than ever, Freeman seems to have made it a strength of his team. As mentioned before, the defense has a ton of depth at almost every position. This makes them incredibly tough to beat for an entire game. Ash's group is able to make subs and changes without almost any talent drop-off. The safety position is a perfect example of the depth this defense has. To start the year, Brauntae Johnson, one of the best safeties in the country, went down with an ankle sprain. Talich was next on the depth chart and immediately picked up where Johnson left off. Against Michigan State, Talich was one of the best players on the field, recording a sack and an interception. Unfortunately for Talich, he was injured in that game, giving five-star freshman O'Brien his first chance at starting against Purdue. In his first real game of playing time, O'Brien shined in his snaps. He was a presence all over the field, recording five tackles and a half sack. Even on their third string, Notre Dame has viable and even strong options to use at their disposal. On the other side of the ball, the offense has quality depth as well. At running back, there are a lot of options for Notre Dame to look to. Of course, there is Williams and James Jr., who have been sharing the backfield. While it has not been exactly perfect, the duo does have the talent and skill set to be effective. Behind them, freshman Jonaz Walton has begun to show flashes in recent weeks. In his last competition, Walton broke loose for a 44-yard run, marking the longest of any Notre Dame player this year. Overall, Notre Dame seems comfortable with the backups at almost every position. This gives them flexibility to make changes in the event of injuries or if a player is not performing well. Depth like this is what could separate Notre Dame late in the season and in the playoffs. It is a testament to the recruiting and culture Freeman has built over his five years at Notre Dame. Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook / Instagram / X / Threads / TikTok Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join the #1 Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

Entering a college football season with high expectations can be nerve-wracking and exciting. The smallest misstep is analyzed and criticized. The biggest ones become end-of-the-world fodder. Photo by Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images This is what the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team has had to endure. Despite outscoring opponents 109-23 and allowing under 200 yards of offense per game, questions remain about an offense that has yet to fully find its footing. Even though CJ Carr has passed for 242 yards per game with six touchdowns and no turnovers, and Micah Gilbert had 170 receiving yards against Michigan State, unlocking a big-play threat, people still nitpicked that the offense was stale. Enter the cure-all for an alleged struggling offense: playing the Purdue Boilermakers and their bargain-bin defense that gives out yards and touchdowns like they are Black Friday deals. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! On this day, Notre Dame unlocked its big play potential. They had eight plays over 20 yards (including their first run for over 20 yards this season, a touchdown run by Anyeas Williams), and despite Carr throwing his first interception of the season, he finished with 237 yards on 14 of 22 passing. The offense found consistency throughout this game. The one player that has been maligned in regard to the running game struggles has been Williams. After opening the season with 90 rushing yards and a touchdown against Wisconsin, he has been the focus of the running game concerns. This past week showed us that those concerns should have been tempered. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle On his 22-yard touchdown run. He went off the tackle and exploded downhill to get free. In his early season struggles, Williams has been indecisive. Often seen trying to stretch out runs or jump cut, instead of taking the run where it is designed to go. This past weekend, he did that. For the first time this season, we saw the straight-ahead explosiveness that made the loss of Jadarian Price and Jeremiyah Love to the NFL a touch palpable. Then Jonaz Walton entered, adding his own big play with a 44-yard rumble that happened when he just went outside on a counter. Exactly where he was supposed to go and what he was supposed to do. Walton finished second on the team with 66 yards rushing. An argument can be made that this was expected against Purdue. However, sometimes the story isn’t the final score (49-10 Irish victory); it’s what you saw. Notre Dame finished with 177 rushing yards with a 5.5 yards-per-carry average. This is after 161 Yards last week against the Spartans. There are still eight chapters of this season left to be written, and none of us truly know how the story ends. If it becomes the special story we all expect, the running game will need to continue to improve. What we saw today is enough to show that the situation is not as dire as some have painted. As a matter of fact, they could be becoming something special. Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook / Instagram / X / Threads / TikTok Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join the #1 Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

Via USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- In their first true road game of the season, the No. 3 Notre Dame Fighting Irish rolled past the Purdue Boilermakers in a 49-10 victory. The Irish got out to an early lead and never looked back, holding the Boilermakers 90 total yards of offense in the first half. The Irish got the scoring started with another big play by Micah Gilbert, a 27-yard touchdown catch, who followed his career-day last week against Michigan State with two catches for 83 yards. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! The Irish also found greater success in the run game, and turned in their first 20+ yard rush of the season on a 22-yard touchdown run by Aneyas Williams. Williams, who was stripped of his starting role this week, led the Notre Dame running back room with 14 carries and 80 yards. CJ Carr turned in a four touchdown performance this week including three passing touchdowns to Gilbert, Nolan James Jr. and Cooper Flanagan. Carr finished 14/22 for 237 yards, with his sole blemish being his first interception of the season a poor-decision throw on 3rd down. While the offense accumulated six scoring drives, it was the Notre Dame defense that continues to be the star of the show. The Fighting Irish defense had six sacks, one of which was a strip-sack fumble by DE Bryce Young that LB Drayk Bowen returned for a touchdown. This marked the third game this season where the Notre Dame defense scored a touchdown, and Chris Ash's unit continues to shine every week they take the field. Young continues to break out for the Notre Dame defense accounting for two sacks in this one and four total tackles. Entering this game, the Purdue offense averaged 39.3 points per game and 366.7 yards of total offense. The Irish held starting Purdue QB Ryan Browne to 111 passing yards and halted the explosive Boilermaker offense. In the end, Notre Dame aces another opportunity and continues to develop into one of the best teams in the country. Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook / Instagram / X / Threads / TikTok Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join the #1 Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

Much has been said of the Notre Dame offense through the early portion of the season. And while there has been obvious growth in some areas in dire need of reinforcement in years past, there is still much to be desired from a team with national championship aspirations. Photo by USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect It's early enough in the 2026 season that many of the top contenders are still working out obvious kinks or flaws. As I write this, the defending national champions, the Indiana Hoosiers, have just finished off Northwestern in a less-than-convincing victory, 29-23. But for the Fighting Irish, the final scores have been impressive enough thus far to maintain their standing as the third-ranked team in both the AP and Coaches Polls through their first three contests. The defense, as usual, is the anchor of a team whose potential seemed to reach new heights during the offseason. However, despite starting 3-0 through the month of September for the first time in Marcus Freeman's tenure, many fans and pundits have pointed out that the offense, and more specifically the rushing attack, has appeared to become a glaring weakness as we march toward October. Well, as I had mentioned earlier, many of the best teams in the country are still trying to find their footing as they navigate the ever-confusing CFP landscape, and the same can be said for the Fighting Irish. The good news? Many of these issues have been commonplace for Notre Dame over the last handful of seasons, in which the Irish were able to (mostly) right the ship in time. And without a marquee matchup until November, there is still plenty of time to get things pointed in the right direction. So, what are some smaller actions we can expect Notre Dame to take that may end up making all the difference? Let's take a look. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! The Offensive Line - Time to Get Right As a program that is perennially in the conversation for the Joe Moore Award, you would expect the offensive line to be able to get more push than we have seen. I will try and stay away from the RB1 debate and focus on one thing that I know has been true since around 2021; The offensive line has needed time to gel before we see a product that is reminiscent of a contender. Whether it be turnover at the tackle position, injuries along the interior, or just run-of-the-mill rustiness, this is a position Notre Dame has been accustomed to for some time. Let's go back to that date I pointed out - Notre Dame opened the 2021 season against a Florida State team that was in decline. And in a similar vein to this season, the line featured some new faces alongside some incredibly talented and well-established players. Despite the talent gap in the trenches, Notre Dame, (and now star NFL RB) Kyren Williams, only managed to muster a measly 42 rushing yards on 18 carries. A rough start for a group that featured what many thought would be one of the best units in the country. Williams would again be held to 78 yards the following week against... Toledo. A game which required some late heroics, by the way. It wasn't until the Irish approached the midseason mark before they were able to find their footing on the ground. The same has been true, and will continue to be true for Notre Dame until proven otherwise. TLDR; Don't panic, this is nothing new. The Irish line will gel and round into form. The Receiving Corps - Let's Diversify Oh man, am I ever tired of talking about Notre Dame being a one-dimensional team - because while this may have been slightly true in years past, there is simply way too much talent on the outside for this to continue to be the case. Fans have been frustrated with the bill of goods that was sold to them in the offseason. Multiple five-star transfers from Ohio State? A healthy Jaden Greathouse? One of the most reliable receivers in the country in Jordan Faison? One might presume the Irish to be spoiled on paper. But games aren't played on paper, and sometimes, the expectations are too high too early. Such is the case for this particular group. Through two games, Jordan Faison seemed to be Notre Dame's key to moving the ball through the air, as they continued to brute-force a running game that struggled to put the offense in position to stay on schedule, and Faison would be the only receiver to create separation. However, this trend came to a screeching halt last week, as Micah Gilbert, the ever-talented junior, put together a performance that hadn't been seen from a wideout in nearly a decade. As this offence learns who it is, I expect the wealth to be shared further through the remainder of September and well into October. I understand being antsy about a passing attack that isn't historically a strength. But with a quarterback as intelligent as CJ Carr, and talent on the outside that I haven't seen since the days of Michael Floyd, it really is a matter of who is going to step up before the teeth of the schedule. And Gilbert's performance further punctuates this narrative. The Irish are simply too talented to be a one-man show in the passing game. And as confidence builds, so will the product on the field. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle The Running Backs - Committee Expansion Breaking news: Replacing two first-round picks in the backfield is not a slam dunk. Notre Dame has been on the wrong end of conversations when it comes to their stable of backs for the better part of three weeks, and it's easy to see why. Last season, Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price formed the most lethal duo in an Irish backfield this millennium. With both declaring, and subsequently making history in the NFL Draft for Notre Dame, that left what was formerly a powerful ground attack in the hands of Aneyas Williams, a junior back who made teams pay on third down out of the backfield throughout his career. Unfortunately, Williams has looked less than explosive, to put it nicely, through the first handful of games. This has led to more of a committee approach in the room, with Nolan James earning the Lion's share of the carries last week after an impressive opening resume. And despite the tandem of backs earning plenty of reps, yards on the ground are still incredibly hard to come by. Well, this is why I started this piece discussing Kyren William's early struggles in 2021 - he ultimately eclipsed 1,000 yards. It's just not realistic to expect the explosiveness we have been accustomed to between two backs who proved to ultimately be what NFL GMs believed were the top-2 ball carriers in the draft. After Williams' humbling performance against Michigan State, I think the staff will lean on a committee of more than two members to mix up the style and what the defense will ultimately key in upon. Backs like Kedren Young and Jonaz Walton have earned high praise from the staff, and once again, after a period osettling innt and trusting the more experienced athletes, I expect Notre Dame will ultimately make a change that galvanizes the backs and keeps defenses honest enough that the backfield won't be running into a line of defenders. It's likely not a matter of if - but when for this talented backfield. Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook / Instagram / X / Threads / TikTok Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join the #1 Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish finish September at 3-0 and are firmly in control of their own destiny in the College Football Playoff (CFP). Photo via Michael Caterina-Imagn Images This week, the Irish face in-state rival Purdue. Last season’s game was a turning point for Notre Dame. Starting 0-2 and with many questioning the new defense under then-new Defensive Coordinator Chris Ash, the Irish were in a shootout with Purdue 28-16 when a nearly two-hour weather delay came about. That delay seemed to right the ship for the Golden Domers. They only allowed two more scores to win 56-30 and begin a win streak that is now up to 13 consecutive games. The Boilermakers come into this game on a two-game losing streak. They do possess a potent offense that is averaging a touch over 39 Points Per Game (PPG). They are led by returning starting quarterback Ryan Browne, who has already eclipsed 1,000 yards passing with seven touchdowns and only one interception. His top target is wide receiver Assad Wasseem, who has 321 yards receiving and one touchdown. Running Back Fame Ijeboi leads the rushing attack with 248 yards on the ground and six touchdowns. This gives the Boilers a more complete offensive attack than last season. While Purdue can be very explosive offensively, they do allow plays on the defensive side of the ball. They are allowing close to 37 PPG and have only forced one turnover this season. This puts them near the bottom of most defensive statistical categories. Of note, they allow over 200 yards rushing per game; could be a great game for the running game to find consistency. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Road Game Jitters This is the first true road game for the Irish this season, and being an in-state rivalry, it would be safe to assume the West Lafayette crowd will be on full tilt for this game. Also, looking at the statistics, one would assume that Notre Dame could be able to do what they please against this defense. In the early stages, that thought process must be removed. The best way to give Purdue hope would be to make major mistakes. They should run their offense and then try for explosive plays. Throughout this season, the Irish have been methodical in wearing teams down. The temptation to go for the early kill will be there, but temptation can lead down the road to ruin. If they play within themselves, the opportunities will be there. Strength on Strength. Purdue can put up some points if this early season is any indication, albeit against less-than-stellar competition. Notre Dame has shown they do not allow points along with anything else. The calling card for this team has been a defense that can only be defined with three words: mobile, agile, and hostile. They force turnovers (accounting for eight so far) and are downright stingy in yardage, only allowing 193 per game. This will be a large step up in talent and depth for Purdue to contend with. Look for Notre Dame to impose their will early. Purdue will try to stretch the field; despite missing Safeties Luke Tallich and Brauntae Johnson for this game due to injury, the horses are still there to force Purdue to slow down the attack and get away from their game plan. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Road Game and Rivalry? No Matter. Notre Dame has been privileged to not play their top-ranked foes to start the season. This has allowed them to gain confidence and iron out issues (running game) before the competition picks up. I feel this game could be a turning point for this offense, much like last year was for the defense. The opportunities will be there for the Irish to get big plays, as long as they are patient and let them come naturally and do not take any unnecessary risks to make them happen that could lead to disastrous results. I feel Purdue is improving under second-year coach Barry Odom, but this would be an upset that would dwarf past early-season missteps. At some point it comes down to talent and the “ Jimmies and the Joes”. Notre Dame has every advantage in this game other than the venue. I look for them to impose their will on both sides of the ball, early and often. My prediction: The Irish prevail 53-13. Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook / Instagram / X / Threads / TikTok Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join the #1 Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today

Michael Caterina-Imagn Images Notre Dame’s offense has an opportunity for a field day on Saturday against a Purdue Boilermakers defense that allowed 645 total yards last week, their most given up in a game since 2012. Purdue Results (1-2) 44-19 win vs Indiana State 36-38 2OT loss vs Wake Forest 38-52 loss at UCLA Just three games into the 2026 season, Purdue fans are calling for change on the defensive side of the ball. Specifically, they are encouraging a playcalling change from Defensive Coordinator Kevin Kane to Head Coach Barry Odom. As of now, it is expected that Kane will be calling the defense on Saturday against Notre Dame. After playing LB at Kansas from 2002-05, Kane has had stints as DC at Northern Illinois (2016-17), SMU (2018-20), and Purdue (2023-24). Last season, Kane left Purdue to become Minnesota’s OLB and Nickels Coach but has since returned to West Lafayette as the Boilermakers DC and LB Coach. The upset Purdue fans have good reason for their discouragement considering they currently rank last in the Big Ten in points allowed per game (36.33), total yards per game allowed (446.7), total yards per play allowed (6.9), rushing yards per game allowed (207), yards per carry allowed (5.5), and opponent third down conversion rate (54.1%). Additionally, the Boilermakers defense is just one of ten units in the country with one or fewer forced turnovers. Finally, the Purdue passing defense is allowing a modest 239.7 yards per game, with their one interception marking the team’s lone takeaway through three games. As for the Notre Dame offense, Saturday will mark a test for the rushing attack that has struggled to open 2026, averaging just 130 yards per game. This season, RBs Nolan James Jr. and Aneyas Williams have combined for 313 rushing yards and six touchdowns on the ground. It appears James is taking control of the RB1 position, but the floor is open for Williams to have a big game against this lackluster Boilermakers rushing defense. The Irish enter Saturday averaging 40 points and 407.7 total yards per game, led by QB CJ Carr and the passing attack. They are averaging 277.7 passing yards per game with six touchdowns and no interceptions. Notre Dame is just one of six teams with no turnovers in 2026. As for Carr, he brings a 72.6% completion rate with six touchdowns and no interceptions into West Lafayette this weekend. It could be another big day for WR Micah Gilbert, who is up to 13 catches for 251 yards and a touchdown on the year following his breakout performance last week. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Now, we take a look at Purdue’s defensive personnel by position group ahead of this year’s edition of the Battle for the Shillelagh Trophy: EDGEs Keyshawn Burgos One of the few players who have looked solid through three games on this Purdue defense is Virginia Tech (VA Tech) transfer, Keyshawn Burgos. The 6-5, 285-pound senior is in his first year with the Boilermakers following four years at VA Tech. Burgos originally committed to the Hokies as a three-star recruit from Chesterfield, VA. During his time at VA Tech, the EDGE appeared in 41 games, including ten starts. He finished his Hokies career with 58 tackles, seven TFLs, 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. Last season, Burgos opted to redshirt the year after making four tackles in four games played. Through three games with the Boilermakers, Burgos has recorded six tackles and one PBU. He came up with a season-high of three tackles in the loss against Wake Forest. The senior has been good against the run and can generate pressure, but is more of a natural complementary pass rusher. He has tallied two QB hurries this season, so the next step in his game is turning these into sacks. Jeremy Lewis Purdue’s standout EDGE through three games has been Iowa Western Community College (IWCC) transfer, Jeremy Lewis. The 6-4, 260-pound junior is in his first season at Purdue following two years at IWCC. The Saint Louis native appeared in 24 games over the last two years at IWCC. During this time, he racked up 71 tackles, 21 TFLs, 10.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, one interception, and four blocked kicks. Last season, Lewis helped IWCC win the NJCAA DI National Championship as he was named a second-team All-American. Now at Purdue, Lewis has tallied nine tackles, 2.5 TFLs, and 1.5 sacks through three games as a Boilermaker. He recorded a season-high five tackles, 2.5 TFLs, and 1.5 sacks in week two against Wake Forest. Lewis looks to have transitioned well as a pass rusher in three games against increased competition. He possesses good size but still needs to prove he can consistently produce every down. Lewis was a part of a group that got exposed last week as he came up with two tackles while allowing 369 rushing yards. Others to watch: Trey Smith, Breeon Ishmail, Elo Modozie (could make his season debut this week after dealing with an injury) Interior Linemen Curt Neal Another starting DL in his first season at Purdue is this 6-0, 301-pound senior. The Cornelius, North Carolina native has spent previous seasons at Wisconsin and Illinois. Neal committed to Wisconsin out of high school as a four-star recruit. He spent three years in Madison, making 13 starts in 29 appearances. He finished his Badgers tenure with 45 tackles and 4.5 TFLs after redshirting and playing in four games in 2022. Last season, Neal entered the portal and transferred to Illinois for the 2025 campaign. He recorded 16 tackles and two PBUs across 12 games played, including eight starts. Through three games at his third Big Ten program, Neal has tallied seven tackles, 1.5 TFLs, and an assisted sack. He finished the Wake Forest and UCLA games with a season-high three tackles in each contest. Obviously, Neal brings valuable prior Big Ten experience to this Purdue DL. He should remain a strong presence against the run despite last week’s struggles. The senior is capable of creating interior pass rush pressure but has not been consistent enough this season. Ian Jeffries Next to Neal will likely be Ian Jeffries. The 6-4, 303-pound junior is in his second season at Purdue as a former Arkansas State transfer. The Southaven, Mississippi native committed to Arkansas State out of high school as a three-star recruit. Jeffries appeared in 16 games, making eight starts, across two years with the Red Wolves. During this time, he recorded 21 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, and one forced fumble after redshirting and appearing in just three games in 2023. Last season, Jeffries transferred to Purdue, where he appeared in 12 games, including six starts. He finished his Boilermakers debut season with 20 tackles, three TFLs, and one sack. He did not record any stats against Notre Dame last year. Jeffries enters Saturday’s matchup with six tackles, two TFLs, and one sack on the year. He flashed in week one against Indiana State with four tackles, two TFLs, and one sack in the season-opening win. The junior DL has shown solid interior pass rush ability but did struggle last week. Jeffries plays with good size and physicality, but he appears to still be developing his overall game. Others to watch: Rodney Lora Linebackers Charles Correa The first Purdue Linebacker to highlight is this 6-3, 230-pound junior in his second year with the Boilermakers. Correa, a native of Kuli’ou’ou, Hawaii, came over to Purdue last season following one year at UNLV. Correa made 16 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, one forced fumble, and one PBU in 14 games played (2 starts) in his one year at UNLV. Last season, Correa transferred to Purdue and was a legit contributor while starting all 12 games played. He finished the season with 96 tackles, a team-high 7.5 TFLs, three sacks, and two PBUs. The All-Big Ten Honorable Mention tied his season-low of three tackles against Notre Dame last season. Correa is again flashing as a productive tackler this season, with 21 tackles and four PBUs through three games. He finished Purdue’s week two loss against Wake Forest with a season-high 12 tackles. The junior enters Saturday’s matchup with six career double-digit tackle games. The experienced starter has been limited in terms of splash plays this season, just a year after leading the team in TFLs. Correa can also struggle in coverage. Jojo Hayden Another Illinois transfer, Hayden should be starting next to Correa on Saturday. The 6-2, 245-pound LB originally committed to the Illini as a four-star recruit out of East St. Louis, IL. At Illinois, Hayden recorded 34 tackles, two TFLs, and one fumble recovery in 22 games played across three years in Champaign. Notably, he did not play and redshirted in 2023. Hayden has flashed this season through his first few games as a Boilermaker with 17 tackles and 1.5 TFLs. He set season-highs against Wake Forest when he finished the loss with 11 tackles, including one for a loss. Like Correa, Hayden is another productive tackling LB. The Illinois native possesses good size, frame, and physicality. He did struggle in last week’s road loss and can struggle in coverage, especially this season. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Defensive Backs CB Hudauri Hines One of Purdue's starting corners is this 6-1, 201-pound junior. Hines is in his third year at Purdue after committing to the Boilermakers as a three-star recruit out of Indianapolis. Hines entered 2026 with 38 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, eight PBUs, and one interception across 19 games played, including 11 starts. He recorded three tackles in last year’s meeting with Notre Dame. This season, Hines has tallied five tackles, including at least one in each game. His presence marks a returning starter with valuable experience. He has flashed good ball skills in the past, leading the team in PBUs in 2025, but has failed to display this aspect thus far in 2026. Hines possesses good size, featuring an impressive mix of length and physicality. The junior could be someone Notre Dame picks on, as coverage was a bit of an issue last season when he allowed 21.9 yards per reception and 9.2 yards after the catch when targeted. S John Slaughter Starting at one of the safety spots will likely be John Slaughter. The 6-2, 210-pound senior is in his first year at Purdue as a former Tennessee and Colorado transfer. Slaughter committed to Tennessee out of high school as a three-star recruit. The Clarksdale, Mississippi native spent two years with the Volunteers, appearing in 23 games. He was able to come up with six tackles and one interception in his limited playing time with the Vols. Last season, Slaughter transferred to Colorado, where he made three starts while appearing in 11 games. He finished his lone season with the Buffaloes with 25 tackles, one forced fumble, and two interceptions. Through three games as a Boilermaker, Slaughter is already up to 22 tackles. He had a season-high of 11 tackles in last week’s loss at UCLA. Obviously, the senior is a productive tackler. He has been great against the run, exhibiting good physicality. Slaughter possesses good size and frame; however, his coverage impact has been questionable this year with no passes defended yet. CB Don Saunders The owner of Purdue’s only takeaway this season came courtesy of Don Saunders. The well-traveled CB is in his first season with the Boilermakers following stints at Cal Poly, Texas A&M, and Utah. A native of San Diego, Saunders committed to Cal Poly out of high school, where he spent two years. The DB recorded 26 tackles, 15 PBUs, and five interceptions across 18 games played, including 11 starts, during his Cal Poly career. Notably, he was named to the 2022 All-Big Sky Second Team. Saunders would transfer to Texas A&M in 2024 for one redshirt season. He appeared in two games and made two tackles with the Aggies before transferring to Utah in 2025. Last season, the 6-4, 201-pound corner tallied seven tackles and two PBUs across eight games played with the Utes. The senior transfer is off to a much more productive start at his fourth program compared to his previous two stops. Saunders brings 21 tackles and a pick-six into Saturday’s meeting. He came up with the pick-six against Indiana State, and then recorded a season-high 11 tackles last week against UCLA. As mentioned, Saunders has showcased good production through these first three games. His week one pick-six marked Purdue’s first since 2022. However, he has struggled in coverage this season with four completions allowed on five targets, including a 43-yard reception. There is room for growth as Saunders has elite size and length, and he was solid in coverage last season at Utah. Nickel Smiley Bradford Likely starting at the nickel position will be Smiley Bradford. The 6-0, 200-pound junior is in his third year at Purdue after originally committing to the Boilermakers as a three-star recruit out of high school. Prior to the 2026 season, Bradford had made 47 tackles, five TFLs, six PBUs, and one interception in 17 games played, including five starts. The DB recorded four tackles against Notre Dame last year. So far this season, Bradford has 10 tackles. The St. Louis native is a good tackler and plays with good physicality. He has not been very productive in coverage this season, but he was solid in 2025. Additionally, the junior has struggled against the run this year despite this being a strength of his in the past. S Jaden Mangham The final player to highlight on the Purdue defense is Safety Jaden Mangham. The 6-2, 210-pound senior is in his first season with the Boilermakers as a former Michigan State and Michigan transfer. Mangham committed to Michigan State as a four-star recruit out of high school. He flashed during his two years with the Spartans, totaling 73 tackles, one TFL, one fumble recovery, three PBUs, and four interceptions across 19 games played, including 12 starts. He was named an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention in 2023. Mangham would transfer to the rival Michigan Wolverines in 2024. In ‘24, the DB redshirted after appearing in just one game and failing to record any stats. Last season, he was able to make his mark with 30 tackles, two TFLs, and two PBUs in 13 games played, including five starts. Through three games at his third Big Ten program, Mangham has 14 tackles and one PBU. He recorded a season-high six tackles and a PBU last week against UCLA. Mangham provides valuable, previous Big Ten experience to the Purdue DB room. He is a good tackler and has competent size for the position. The senior also has a good history of ball skills, but this has not flashed as much yet in 2026. Others to watch: S Justin Denson Jr., CB Mister Clark (injury; likely game-time decision after missing last week) Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook / Instagram / X / Threads / TikTok Follow @Brenden_Duffy on X Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join the #1 Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

The Notre Dame passing defense will face its biggest test yet this season when the Irish put their ten-game winning streak against the Purdue Boilermakers on the line this Saturday in West Lafayette. Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Despite a 1-2 start to 2026, Purdue looks improved in year two of the Barry Odom era. Offense, called by Offensive Coordinator and Tight Ends Coach Josh Henson, has not been the issue, with the Boilermakers averaging over 39 points per game led by a strong passing attack. Henson came over to call Odom’s offense when he received the job last season, following three years as Lincoln Riley’s OC and Offensive Line Coach at USC, where Riley calls the Trojans’ offense. Through three games, Purdue’s offensive attack has tried to be balanced; however, the passing game is having much more success compared to the ground. Overall, the Boilermakers are averaging an impressive 488.7 total yards per game, including 6.8 yards per play. Purdue Results (1-2) 44-19 win vs Indiana State 36-38 2OT loss vs Wake Forest 38-52 loss at UCLA A large credit for the Boilermakers’ passing success thus far belongs to returning starting QB Ryan Browne, someone Irish fans saw last year. Purdue’s 366.7 passing yards per game currently leads the Big Ten and is the third-most among FBS programs. For the Irish, they should be able to create pressure against an offensive line that has allowed seven sacks this season and disrupt Browne. Browne also made his first notable error last week when he threw his first interception of the season in the road loss against UCLA. Purdue’s rushing attack has lagged behind the pass, averaging just 122 yards per game and 3.4 yards per carry. This 3.4 yards per carry mark is the worst among Big Ten opponents and is a bottom-20 number in the country. Last week was a big struggle when the Boilermakers averaged a mere 2.3 yards per carry while totaling 63 yards on 28 carries. Notably, all three of Purdue’s turnovers this season came against UCLA last week, with Browne’s interception coming along with two lost fumbles. For as big of a test this might be for the Notre Dame defense, I can almost guarantee the Purdue offense views this matchup with more fear than the Irish. Below, you can find where Notre Dame ranks defensively amongst FBS teams in various statistics: 7.7 points per game allowed (tied-4th) 2 touchdowns allowed (tied-3rd) 193 total yards per game allowed (3rd) 58.3 rushing yards per game allowed (6th) 1.9 yards per carry allowed (5th) 134.7 passing yards per game allowed (tied-14th) 5 fumble recoveries (tied-1st) 3 interceptions (tied-31st) Some notable players to highlight on the Irish defense are LB Drayk Bowen, who has a team-high 19 tackles, including one TFL. Next, the EDGE duo of Bryce Young and Boubacar Traore have combined for 15 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, and three sacks. Lastly, CB Jayden Sanders has contributed two tackles and a team-high three PBUs as his counterpart Leonard Moore seemingly sees fewer targets each week. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Now, we take a look at Purdue’s offensive personnel by position group ahead of Saturday’s Battle for the Shillelagh Trophy: Quarterback Ryan Browne As mentioned above, a big reason for Purdue’s offensive success is credited to QB Ryan Browne. The 6-4, 225-pound junior is in his fourth year in West Lafayette after committing to the Boilermakers as a three-star recruit out of Clarkston, Michigan. Last season was Browne’s first as the full-time starter, but it came with plenty of struggles. He completed 58.9% of his pass attempts for 2,153 yards and nine touchdowns with ten interceptions in 12 games played. He was able to add 206 yards and four touchdowns on the ground across 66 carries. Against Notre Dame last year, Browne was 21/34 passing for 250 yards with one touchdown and an interception. He also contributed 18 yards across six carries and caught a 14-yard touchdown on a trick play while facing the Irish defense. This season, Browne is 74/101 (73.3%) passing for 1,024 yards with seven touchdowns and one interception. His 341.3 passing yards per game currently ranks second in the country, and last week he became just the second QB in Purdue history to throw for over 300 yards in each of the team’s first three games since Jim Everett accomplished this feat in 1985. Browne threw for a season-high 378 yards with three touchdowns and a pick in last week’s loss at UCLA. Entering Saturday’s matchup with Notre Dame, Browne is playing accurately and efficiently with his 73.3% completion rate and 10.1 passing yards per attempt. He has demonstrated good downfield ability this season with 41 completions of ten or more yards and six completions of 40-plus yards, including a 75-yard touchdown last week. 75-yard touchdown to WR Xavier Townsend vs UCLA Browne has also done a good job of getting everyone involved in the pass game and is not reliant on just any one receiver. He has shared the ball with various receivers, running backs, and tight ends through the team’s first three games. The Junior QB has provided value, in general, as a returner starter with valuable experience, including the game against Notre Dame in 2025. Similarly to Michigan State QB Alessio Milivojevic, Browne can flash sneaky athleticism on the run but has not displayed it much in 2026. The largest question surrounding Browne is whether he will be able to maintain this high level of play. He started hot in 2025 too, but his play dramatically dipped beginning in mid-October, highlighted by inaccuracies and turnovers. Running Back Fame Ijeboi The Boilermakers’ featured RB is Minnesota transfer and sophomore, Fame Ijeboi. The 6-0, 215-pound RB spent the previous two seasons with the Golden Gophers after committing to the program as a three-star recruit out of Folcroft, Pennsylvania. After playing in just two games in 2024, Ijeboi broke out in ‘25 when he rushed for 441 yards and two touchdowns on 97 carries across 11 games played, including one start. He also contributed 12 catches for 54 yards and one touchdown as a receiving option in 2025 with the Gophers. Since transferring to Purdue this offseason, Ijeboi has rushed for 248 yards and six touchdowns on 55 carries. His best performance so far this season came in week two against Wake Forest when the sophomore racked up 114 yards and three touchdowns on 27 carries. Notably, Ijeboi’s six rushing scores are tied for the third-most in the country. As a receiver this season, the RB has added eight catches and 72 yards. He added six receptions for 42 yards in his dominant outing against the Demon Deacons. Ijeboi has displayed solid explosive play ability this season, and even had a 63-yard touchdown run against Indiana State called back because of a WR holding penalty. His 97.3 PFF rushing grade against the Sycamores was the highest in the country week one. He also displayed a good mix of contact balance and power against Wake Forest when 95 of his 114 rushing yards came after contact. Additionally, he serves as a legit short-yardage, goal-line option and rushed in a one-yard wildcat score in the week one domination. Ijeboi offers good versatility as a receiving threat, but his pass-blocking will be something to watch in this somewhat pass-heavy offense. Finally, as a unit, Purdue’s run game really struggled last week against UCLA. This could be the start of a negative trend for the Boilermakers offense with an elite run-stopping Irish defense visiting on Saturday. Receivers Chauncey Magwood Purdue’s main deep threat in 2026 has been 6-0, 204-pound senior Chauncey Magwood. The Albany, Georgia native is in his second year at Purdue following stints at Kentucky and UCF. Magwood committed to Kentucky out of high school as a three-star recruit, where he spent two years. The WR was able to haul in eight catches for 121 yards and one touchdown across 25 games played, including one start, during his time in Lexington. In 2023, Magwood decided to enter the portal and transferred to UCF. He appeared in 16 games across two years with the Knights, totaling nine catches and 142 yards. Magwood redshirted the 2023 season after appearing in just four games. Last season, Magwood transferred to Purdue, where his year was cut short due to injury. He recorded two catches for 17 yards in two games played in 2025. Through three games in 2026, Magwood has already contributed eight receptions for 110 yards and a touchdown. He recorded a season-high in catches and yards against Wake Forest when he brought in five receptions for 77 yards. He also added an 18-yard carry against the Demon Deacons on his lone rush of the year. Magwood has flashed solid contested catch abilities this season, including this snag below, over the Wake Forest defender. Contested catch vs Wake Forest The Senior WR has also been productive with his touches this season, averaging 13.8 yards per catch. He showed his versatility as a runner with the carry against Wake Forest. Now, he needs to prove he can consistently produce at this level while injuries and overall durability remain a concern. De'Nylon Morrissette One of the few disappointing pieces of the Purdue offense to open 2026 has been the lack of emergence from senior WR De’Nylon Morrissette. The 6-1, 205-pound wideout is in his third year at Purdue as a former Georgia (UGA) transfer. Morrissette committed to the Bulldogs out of high school as an in-state four-star recruit from Stone Mountain, GA. He spent two years in Athens, totaling just four catches and 34 yards across 13 games played at UGA. He redshirted in 2023 after appearing in just three games. Following this redshirt campaign, Morrissette transferred to Purdue in 2024. In his first season with the Boilermakers, the former Bulldog tallied 11 catches for 106 yards and two touchdowns in 11 games played, including four starts. Last season, Morrissette unfortunately missed the entire year after suffering a severe ankle injury during the 2025 fall camp. In his return from this injury, Morrissette has recorded three catches for 30 yards and a touchdown this season. He flashed against Wake Forest when he brought in two receptions for 26 yards, including a touchdown. Nine-yard touchdown vs Wake Forest Despite the overall discouraging career production, Morrissette still possesses good physical upside. He features a good mix of size and athleticism, and has been described as a RB with WR skills in terms of physicality. He also has good speed and explosiveness, and poses as a solid red zone threat. Morrissette is still working on establishing himself as one of Browne’s primary targets; however, the injury history remains a concern. Xavier Townsend While Morrissette may be on the disappointing side of things, Xavier Townsend has been a very productive surprise for the Boilermakers offense. The 5-11, 195-pound senior out of Tampa, Florida, is in his first year at Purdue as a former UCF and Iowa State transfer. Townsend began his collegiate career at UCF, where he made 14 starts in 29 games played across three years. During his time with the Knights, the receiver hauled in 66 receptions for 521 yards and four touchdowns. He also had 278 yards and a touchdown on the ground across 33 carries. Townsend also served as a solid kick and punt returner during his time at UCF. Last season, Townsend transferred to Iowa State, where he appeared in 10 games, making one start. He finished the year with 243 yards on 18 receptions and added his only score of the year on his lone carry of the season on a five-yard run. Notre Dame reportedly had interest in the Tampa native this past offseason when he entered the portal, but Townsend ended up at Purdue. That decision looks to be working out well for the weapon. He has racked up 19 catches for 267 yards and two touchdowns through three games this season, including at least six receptions in each contest. He flashed last week against UCLA when he finished the loss with six catches for a season-high 162 yards and two touchdowns. 20-yard touchdown at UCLA Townsend has been Purdue’s most explosive receiver this season, especially after last week’s breakout performance where 152 of his 162 yards came after the catch. He also demonstrates this with an impressive 14.1 yards per catch. Townsend has a knack for making defenders miss with the elusive moves that make him a consistent YAC threat. Going forward, the question will be whether Townsend can sustain performances as he did against UCLA. He is not particularly big and has failed to consistently produce in past years. Others to watch: Asaad Waseem Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Tight Ends George Burhenn Purdue’s main threat at tight end is this 6-5, 245-pound junior in his fourth year at Purdue. Burhenn originally committed to the Boilermakers out of McCordsville, Indiana, as a three-star recruit. Prior to 2026, Burhenn had appeared in 19 games with one start. During this span, the TE totaled 15 catches for 171 yards and a touchdown. His Purdue career has been unfortunately riddled with injuries, with a broken foot in 2024 and a broken arm in 2025 limiting him to just eight combined games played over those two seasons. Burhenn had two catches for 20 yards against Notre Dame last season before suffering his arm injury during the contest. Burhenn has looked strong in his return from back-to-back season-ending injuries, tallying five catches for 90 yards and one touchdown. He has been able to haul in at least one catch in each game, including a 30-yard touchdown last week. 30-yard touchdown at UCLA The Boilermakers TE has showcased big-play ability this season, averaging 18 yards per catch. He possesses solid size for a receiving TE. Burhenn’s durability is a concern with his injury history, and he was reportedly limited against Wake Forest in week two due to an undisclosed injury. Others to watch: Jackson Berryman Offensive Line LT Nuku Mafi The first Purdue offensive lineman to highlight is starting tackle Nuku Mafi. An Oklahoma State transfer, the 6-4 and 325-pound sophomore is in his first season with the Boilermakers. Mafi committed to Oklahoma State out of high school, where he spent the previous two years. After not seeing any action in 2024 and redshirting, he started all 12 games for the Pokes last season, making 11 starts at LT and one at RT. The Rose Park, Utah native has brought over this valuable experience to West Lafayette in 2026. Mafi’s pass protection has been solid this season, looking much improved from a year ago. Despite the good size and physicality, the Oklahoma State transfer has been inconsistent as a run blocker. LG Brock Brownfield Something to monitor on Saturday is who is starting at LG for the Boilermakers. Brownfield left Purdue’s week two contest with an apparent shoulder injury and did not appear in last week’s game at UCLA. However, he was not listed on the Big Ten’s mandated injury report before the UCLA game, leading me to believe he is trending towards playing. If Brownfield is unable to go, expect Marques Easley to take over at this spot. Brownfield is a 6-4, 300-pound true freshman who committed to the Boilermakers out of New Palestine, Indiana as a three-star recruit. Against Indiana State in week one, the in-state native became the first true freshman to start on Purdue’s offensive line in a season opener since freshmen became eligible in 1972. Brownfield possesses good upside as he is a big, strong, tough, and smart player. C Boaz Stanley One of the more reliable pieces of this line through three games has been Boaz Stanley. The 6-4, 305-pound senior is in his first year at Purdue following stretches at Georgia Military College, Troy, and South Carolina. The Bogart, GA native began his college career at Georgia Military College, where he earned JUCO All-American honors after one year in the program. In 2023, Stanley transferred to Troy, where he would spend two years. The lineman redshirted in 2023 after appearing in just one game played. However, he started all 12 games in 2024 with the Trojans, splitting time between C and RT. He allowed just two sacks and committed no penalties during this breakout campaign. Last season, Stanley entered the portal again and transferred to South Carolina. He made nine starts in 12 games played last year with the Gamecocks. As mentioned earlier, Stanley has been one of the more dependable pieces on this unit, displaying consistently good pass protection. He brings solid prior experience over to West Lafayette. The senior also possesses physical size with a solid frame. However, his run blocking has lacked, and this is a trend with the Boilermakers’ interior line. Lastly, Stanley has been praised in the past for his leadership and maturity, but there have been instances of bad communication across the line this season, especially last week, which typically falls on the center. RG Micah Banuelos Starting opposite of Brownfield or Easley will likely be this 6-2, 310-pound USC transfer in his first year at Purdue. Banuelos transferred to the Boilermakers following three seasons with the Trojans. The Auburn, Washington native committed to USC out of high school as a 2023 Under Armour All-American. Banuelos appeared in 13 games, including five starts, during his time at USC. Last season, he split time between LG and RG as he played in ten games, including five starts. Banuelos brought this good experience and positional versatility to Purdue this offseason. Part of the reason for his decision to transfer to the Boilermakers was the chance to reunite with Josh Henson and Zach Crabtree. As mentioned before, Henson previously served as USC’s OC and OL Coach from 2022-24, where he recruited and coached Banuelos. Crabtree served as a graduate assistant and assistant OL Coach under Henson at USC during this time, and now serves as Purdue’s OL Coach. Banuelos has played well in pass protection so far this year, but his run blocking has struggled. He will need to prove he can consistently perform coming off a 2025 season where he struggled and was forced to split reps. RT Jude McCoskey The final player to highlight on the Purdue offense could see his playing time coming to a halt as presumed starter Joey Tanona prepares to make his season debut in the coming weeks, possibly as soon as Saturday. Jude McCoskey is a 6-8, 310-pound senior in his second year at Purdue as a former Indiana State transfer. He committed to the Sycamores out of Terre Haute, IN, where he spent two years, making 20 starts across 22 games played. McCoskey transferred over to Purdue last season, where he appeared in 11 games; however, he received just 33 offensive snaps. The senior OL has seen this time increase through three games in 2026. He has flashed as another good pass blocker whose run-blocking has struggled on this unit. McCoskey possesses elite size and length, but looks like he is still adjusting to the improved level of competition. Others to watch: OG Marques Easley (if Brownfield is out), OT Joey Tanona (could make his season debut this week after reportedly dealing with a sprained ankle) Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook / Instagram / X / Threads / TikTok Follow @Brenden_Duffy on X Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join the #1 Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

The golden Midwestern sun shone down upon the endless array of screaming patrons, all dawning gold and black. The faithful fans were avidly rooting for their beloved Boilermakers, as the underdog team from West Lafayette, Indiana, was about to upset the dreaded private school from South Bend. Purdue held a 24-14 lead as they now headed into the final quarter of football. Photo By Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports Notre Dame, led by Dan Devine, was upset just a week earlier at the hands of the Ole Miss Rebels. The Irish had been ranked third by the AP Poll at the start of the 1977 season, in part due to pocket commander Rusty Lisch. The Notre Dame offense had been largely ineffective against the Boilermaker defensive attack. Lisch was a run-based quarterback, but the Irish struggled to get anything going on the ground. Coach Dan Devine opted for Lisch's backup, Gary Forystek, just before the conclusion of the first half. Forystek was an excellent passing quarterback, so the Irish would attempt to utilize the passing game to mount a comeback. The ball zipped downfield, but Notre Dame failed to capitalize in the endzone. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Suddenly, hope appeared for the Irish, as things finally started to click for Forystek. The team looked mature and moved with gusto, as the now eleventh-ranked squad finally started to prove why they deserve to be ranked. However, a Purdue defender snuck through the Irish's wall of offensive linemen to sack the backup quarterback. Forystek didn't rise up quickly like Notre Dame fans had been accustomed to, and the team medic rushing out to midfield confirmed the sinking stomachs of Irish fans. Forystek had broken his collarbone. All the hopes and dreams of Notre Dame having a championship season now rested on the shoulders of their third-string quarterback; a skinny kid with wavy hair from rural Pennsylvania. Joe Montana was now feeling the pressure as he came under center for the first time in two years. Montana completed his first pass despite feeling the heat from the Purdue defensive line. Montana followed up his first pass with another. Then another. Then another. At the end of the Irish's seven-play drive, Montana had gone 7/7 and brought the score seven points closer to a comeback. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle The Irish defense would hold up better than previous Boilermaker drives, forcing Purdue to punt. Montana would take advantage of the opportunity as he stormed down the field to score yet another passing touchdown. As the smoke settled, Montana had led the Irish to 17 unanswered points and a win over the in-state rival. The aftershock of this game hit South Bend later in the season, as Montana never left the starting spot underneath the center. The 1977 season would end with a ring and trophy after the Irish defeated a very talented Texas team 38-10 in the Cotton Bowl. The legend of Joe Montana had just finished it's first chapter, which would see a Hall-of-Fame selection and four Super Bowl rings. Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook / Instagram / X / Threads / TikTok Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join the #1 Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

There has been a lot of talk regarding the lackluster start the Notre Dame wide receiver group has had to the season. With Micah Gilbert's impressive performance against Michigan State, he could be exactly what this offense needs going forward. Via USA TODAY NETWORK via Reuters Connect This wide receiver group came into this season with lofty expectations. They have the talent, the quarterback, and an offensive system that seemed like the perfect scenario for this group to hit the next level. Through three games, the Notre Dame passing attack has looked largely the same, with the receiving core still struggling to provide consistent, explosive, and dangerous options for CJ Carr. While the group is still looking to find their footing, Micah Gilbert may have finally hit his stride against MSU with a breakout performance. Gilbert made his mark against the Spartans from the opening play of the game, linking up with Carr for a 61-yard pass completion. The play not only set up the offense in field goal range, but it was also the kind of explosive play this offense has been lacking against P4 competition. Gilbert then went on to be the most important piece of the Irish offense throughout the remainder of the contest. He caught a pass on a key fourth down to extend a drive and was the target on multiple mid-to-deep passes to move the chains. Gilbert was a consistent and reliable weapon for the Irish offense all game long as a chain-mover and big-play option. He went on to cap off his career night with another explosive play, getting behind the defense once again for a 39-yard completion, which required an acrobatic effort to set the Irish up in the red zone. Gilbert finished the night with 170 receiving yards, marking the most by a Notre Dame player since Chase Claypool in 2017. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! The good news for Notre Dame is that the Irish may have found another reliable receiving option besides Jordan Faison who can sustain the offense through the air. If they can keep both of them heavily involved, defenses will have a much harder time zeroing in on just one player. To add to that, this performance could be the spark and confidence boost the entire room needs. Despite Gilbert's performance, there were only three receivers who recorded receptions. Among them was Mylan Graham, who only recorded one reception for eight yards. For a former five-star player, Graham has yet to show any kind of true impact or real separation in a game this season. In total, he only has three catches for 32 yards this season. Jaden Greathouse, another presumed leader of this core, has also been quiet through the first three games, only recording four receptions thus far. Greathouse should be a go-to target at this point in his career, but his time at Notre Dame has been marked by inconsistency. He is another player who needs to find a way to get himself going if this group wants to evolve and take that next step. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Gilbert's performance against MSU is one of the reasons why people were excited about this group. It was projected to contain a lot of players capable of a performance like his. If Gilbert, or others not named Jordan Faison, can continue to string together impressive showings, it will make it incredibly difficult for defenses to predict where the ball is going. The Fighting Irish offense, as a whole, feels like it still has another gear to hit - both through the air and on the ground. The run game has not quite clicked yet, and the passing attack still feels like a one-or two-man show. If it does all come together, with the way they are currently playing defense, this team will be exactly who so many thought they would be: national championship contenders. If it doesn't, this team will still be good, but it will lack the consistent offense needed to navigate the gauntlet that is the College Football Playoffs. Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook / Instagram / X / Threads / TikTok Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join the #1 Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

William Liang-Imagn Images When a collegiate football program is as legendary and historic as Notre Dame, having players not just make it to the National Football League (NFL) but succeed is not a surprise, its expected. Each week this season, the Irish Tribune will showcase the top NFL performers that at one time excelled on Saturdays. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Offensive Standouts Jeremiyah Love, Running Back, Arizona Cardinals: Love faced a tall task in his second game of his rookie campaign, taking on the Seattle Seahawks and one of the leagues’ best defenses. The Cardinals had to get away from the run early, and Love only had nine carries for 29 yards. The Cardinals fell 31-7. Michael Mayer, Tight End, Las Vegas Raiders: Mayer was once again the top tight end for the Raiders with Brock Bowers out for the second consecutive game. He finished the game with three receptions for 23 yards. However, the Raiders defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 26-14 to start the season a surprising 2-0. Jadarian Price, Running Back, Seattle Seahawks: Price saw a familiar face across the field as Seattle took on former teammate Jeremiyah Love and the Arizona Cardinals. Price had a better day, finishing with 52 yards on 13 carries. His day was shortened when he suffered a chest injury in the second half. The Seahwaks moved to 2-0 by downing the Cardinals 31-7 Eli Raridon, Tight End, New England Patriots: Raridon finished his second game with one catch for 30 yards. After that catch he departed the game with a thigh injury and did not return. The Patriots defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 20-7. Kyren Williams, Running Back, Los Angeles Rams: On Monday Night Football, Williams had 10 carries for 78 yards. He also chipped in with two receptions for 12 yards and a touchdown as the Rams rebounded from a disappointing performance in week one to defeat the New York Giants 28-7. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Defensive Standouts Kyle Hamilton, Safety, Baltimore Ravens: Hamilton finished this week's game with 13 tackles, leading the Ravens. Seven of them were of the solo variety, and one of them was for a loss. The Ravens were stunned by the New Orleans Saints 24-17. Cam Hart, Cornerback, Los Angeles Chargers: Hart had four tackles with one pass defended and an interception for the Chargers. The Chargers fell to the Las Vegas Raiders 26-14. Benjamin Morrison, Cornerback, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Morrison finished today’s game with seven tackles and one pass defended. The Buccaneers fell to the Cleveland Browns 23-19. Xavier Watts, Safety, Atlanta Falcons: Following a quiet start to his second-year campaign, Watts had seven tackles and one forced fumble. Sadly, it was in a losing effort as the Falcons fell to the Carolina Panthers 34-3. Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook / Instagram / X / Threads / TikTok Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join the #1 Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect Notre Dame won the Megaphone Trophy against rival Michigan State last Saturday, after defeating the Spartans 27-10 in a sloppy home matchup. The Irish looked on fire against Rice the week prior, but seemed slow and mild against Michigan State. Despite the surprisingly close game, players still stood out for outstanding (and some lackluster) performances. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! CJ Carr - B+ CJ Carr once again benefited from Offensive Coordinator Mike Denbrock continuing to open up the playbook for longer passes. Carr was 18/24 on passing attempts. The eighteen completions culminated in 234 passing yards, with his longest throw being 61 yards. Carr also showed his underrated rushing ability in the red zone, running in a three-yard touchdown to seal the game in the fourth quarter, capping off an impressive four-play, 68-yard drive. Carr also benefited from having multiple targets, with five different players recording a catch. Overall, Carr looks good, but not great yet. Coach Marcus Freeman will need Carr to have more explosive plays when the Irish take on harder defenses as the season progresses. However, Carr did his job against Michigan State, and his grade reflects that. Leonard Moore - A The "Isle of Moore" continues to define the talent and playstyle of the jubilant junior, Leonard Moore. Opposing defenses fear his coverage and physical attack. Spartans Quarterback Alessio Milivojevic was hesitant to throw to the man Moore was covering, until he did. The pass was immediately broken up, as Moore finished with one target and one pass breakup for the game. Moore is the standout for an already top-of-class Notre Dame defense. I predict other offenses will make use of the same judgment to avoid him altogether. Linebacker Core - B The return of Kyngstonn Villiamu-Asa was a sweet symphony last week against Rice, as the junior punished the Owls' offense with his impressive physical play style. However, Villiamu-Asa didn't see much action against the Spartans, as he only recorded two total tackles in the slugfest after Jaiden Ausberry started the game at LB. Fellow LB Drayk Bowen performed to his standard after completing seven solo tackles against Michigan State. Jaylen Sneed performed exceptionally well in his first start of the 2026 season, finishing with four solo tackles. Although the linebacker room looked better put-together than it did in week one, there are still mistakes and miscommunication throughout all four quarters. This needs to be cleaned up if Notre Dame wants to compete against a good rushing, RPO or play-action style of offense. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Run Game - B+ Aneyas Williams continued to struggle to get breakout runs on Saturday, as he only gained 27 yards off nine carries. Nolan James Jr. continued to etch his name in the long history of Notre Dame RB studs, as he broke out for 121 yards over 26 attempts. The running back room is very convoluted, with a potential position battle emerging. The offensive line looked more solid than previous weeks, as fewer side blocks got blown up. Williams will need to take the next step if he wants to live up to Jermyiah Love's hefty legacy. James Jr. needs to continue dominating play after play, as well as stay healthy. Passing Game - A- Despite this being the first game in which CJ Carr didn't record a passing touchdown, the passing position was still potent. Five different receivers brought down catches, with Micah Gilbert as the standout receiver, as he brought home eight catches on nine targets, resulting in 170 yards. Gilbert's breakout speed was on display, as he brought in 33 YAC. Jordan Faison also saw time with the pigskin, recording five catches for 38 yards. The tight end room didn't see much action in the passing game, which is understandable when Gilbert and Faison are at the forefront of the attack. I enjoyed Denbrock opening up the passing tree, and I expect a breakout star to emerge from the receiving corps. Secondary - A Notre Dame's secondary is often considered among the best in College Football, and with good reason. Leonard Moore, Christian Gray, and Adon Shuler all give opposing passing game coordinators migraines. Shuler and Luke Talich both flipped the field with an interception each. 123 passing yards for an opposing offense is outstanding, although mistakes still occurred. It's difficult to determine whether the blame should be placed on the defensive backs or the coaching staff when misassignments and miscommunication occur; however, the problems seem to lessen as the weeks change. I predict this secondary will continue to make its case for the most talented in the country. Notre Dame looked fair in the four-quarter battle against Michigan State. Problems remain in South Bend, and urgency must be a point of emphasis as the Irish start facing off against better opponents. The team needs a breakout offensive player. Carr, Faison, Williams, and James Jr. are all very good, but a player needs to take the next step in order to truly be feared come playoff season. Sights are still set for a National Championship, but the Irish aren't looking too far down the road as the 3-0 team travels south to West Lafayette, Indiana, to take on the in-state rival Purdue Boilermakers. Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook / Instagram / X / Threads / TikTok Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join the #1 Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!