Notre Dame Battles Purdue
No. 3 Notre Dame visits Purdue for the 90th edition of the historic Shillelagh Trophy rivalry.
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Key Points
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Notre Dame’s most recent visit to West Lafayette ended in a 66-7 victory, while the Irish won 56-30 in last year’s meeting in South Bend. Purdue has not possessed the Shillelagh Trophy since 2007.
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Notre Dame’s defensive resurgence is especially notable because the unit has been playing without starters Brauntae Johnson and Jason Onye since Week 1. The Irish rank in the national top 10 in opponent yards per play and success rate; Purdue offensive coordinator Josh Henson called the defense fundamentally sound and praised its tackling.
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Purdue’s passing attack is led by a quarterback who ranks second nationally in passing yards per game at 341.3, while receivers Asaad Waseem and Xavier Townsend both rank among the nation’s top 30 in receiving production.
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Notre Dame is pursuing more than another rivalry win: the Irish are also aiming for their first national championship since 1988 after missing last season’s College Football Playoff. Play-by-play announcer Tony Simeone described quarterback CJ Carr as potentially a high NFL draft pick and noted that Carr has thrown no interceptions across the past two games.
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The Shillelagh Trophy was donated by Joe McLaughlin, a merchant seaman and Notre Dame supporter who brought the club back from Ireland; the trophy debuted in 1957. The teams’ rivalry also featured an annual meeting from 1946 through 2014.
No. 3 Notre Dame visits Purdue on Saturday for the 90th Shillelagh Trophy clash, extending a dominance that has seen the Fighting Irish win 10 straight meetings. Notre Dame enters undefeated at 3-0 with a 13-game winning streak, while Purdue sits at 1-2 and searches for its first Big Ten victory since 2023. The rivalry pits Notre Dame's elite defense against Purdue's explosive passing attack, which ranks second nationally in passing yards per game at 341.3 according to USA Today, creating a fascinating tactical battle.
The Shillelagh Trophy, awarded to the winner since 1957, has not been held by Purdue since 2007. Notre Dame's defense operates without key starters Brauntae Johnson and Jason Onye but still ranks in the national top 10 in opponent yards per play. Purdue quarterback Ryan Browne threw for 378 yards and three touchdowns last week, showcasing the firepower that could test the Irish secondary this weekend.
Irish Defense Dominates Despite Missing Key Pieces
Notre Dame's defensive unit has emerged as one of college football's most impressive in 2024, even with starters sidelined since Week 1. Under coordinator Chris Ash, the defense ranks among the nation's best, allowing opponents just 4.1 yards per play. USA Today reports that Purdue offensive coordinator Josh Henson praised the Irish defense as "fundamentally sound," highlighting their exceptional tackling technique that makes explosive plays difficult to generate.
The Irish have yielded just 7.6 points per game through three contests, a remarkable rate that should concern Purdue's high-octane offense. Notre Dame's success comes from discipline and assignment football rather than star power, suggesting the defense can contain even dynamic passing attacks through sheer fundamentals and pressure schemes.
Purdue's Passing Game Seeks to Break Through
Purdue's offense has operated at an elite level despite the team's 1-2 record, with quarterback Ryan Browne orchestrating a high-powered passing attack. Browne ranks second nationally in passing yards per game at 341.3, having surpassed 300 yards in all three games. Receivers Asaad Waseem and Xavier Townsend both rank among the nation's top 30 in receiving production, giving Browne multiple weapons to stress the Irish secondary.
The challenge for Browne on Saturday is avoiding forcing throws against Notre Dame's aggressive pass rush. Purdue's offense has shown progress in decision-making but faces its toughest test yet against a defense that lacks household names but executes at an elite level. Browne's ability to take what the defense gives him will likely determine whether the Boilermakers can hang points on the scoreboard.
Notre Dame Eyes National Title While Extending Streak
The Fighting Irish are not merely chasing another rivalry victory—they are building toward a national championship, their first since 1988. Notre Dame missed last season's College Football Playoff, fueling internal motivation to prove this season is different. USA Today notes that quarterback CJ Carr has thrown zero interceptions over the past two games and is viewed as a potential high NFL draft pick by play-by-play announcer Tony Simeone, adding another layer to Saturday's matchup.
Carr's efficiency has been key to the Irish's offensive success, complementing the defense's dominant play. A convincing win at Purdue would silence any playoff concerns and keep Notre Dame's momentum rolling into conference play, where tougher tests loom.
Trophy's History Reflects Nearly 130 Years of Rivalry
The Shillelagh Trophy debuted in 1957 after merchant seaman Joe McLaughlin, a Notre Dame supporter, brought the club back from Ireland as a gift to the university. The trophy has symbolized the rivalry for nearly seven decades, though the teams' annual matchups began in 1896—making this one of college football's historic pairings. Purdue has held the trophy for just one stretch since 2007, a testament to Notre Dame's recent dominance in the series.
Saturday's game marks the 90th official meeting between the programs, a milestone that underscores the deep history between these Midwest rivals. The Shillelagh Trophy may be heading back to South Bend, but Purdue will fight to reclaim a piece of rivalry glory it has not possessed in 17 years.
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