WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue went looking for a spark early, but the Boilermakers came up empty. Notre Dame took advantage early and often in a 49-10 romp at Ross-Ade Stadium.
Barry Odom’s offense had barely touched the ball when he dialed up a fake punt near midfield on Purdue’s second possession, the kind of swing a team with a 27-point deficit in the betting line has to take. The Boilermakers came up a yard short. Odom said afterward the play died because his blockers got their eyes inside instead of outside, and that a coach in his position has to take chances. This one didn’t work. Four plays later, Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr hit Micah Gilbert for a touchdown, and the game never again looked like a contest.
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 26, 2026: Purdue University Sophomore Wide Receiver Jesse Watson (10) gets picked up and thrown backwards by Notre Dame University Junior DL Loghan Thomas (10) during the Purdue Boilermakers vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish football game at Ross-Ade Stadium
(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
Notre Dame made its own fourth-down call and got it right. Facing fourth-and-1 at its own 24 in the second quarter, Carr kept the ball and gained two. The Irish went on to finish a 13-play, 85-yard drive with a Carr sneak for a 21-0 lead. Then Young stripped Browne on a third-down sack, and linebacker Drayk Bowen scooped the ball and returned it 15 yards for a touchdown, making it 28-0 with 4:15 left in the half. Carr threw a 3-yard touchdown to Nolan James Jr. with 29 seconds left to make it 35-0.
The final numbers were lopsided even though Purdue held the ball for 35:16 to Notre Dame’s 24:44 and converted 8 of 18 third downs. The Boilermakers averaged 3.2 yards per play to the Irish’s 7.7, finished with 218 total yards to 444, and gave up six sacks for 46 yards. Browne was 18-of-28 for 111 yards. Fame Ijeboi ran 12 times for 41. Carr went 14-of-22 for 237 yards and three touchdowns with one interception, and Aneyas Williams ran 14 times for 80 yards and a score.
Purdue’s few highlights were small. Charles Correa’s intercepted Carr on the Irish’s first drive of the second half giving Purdue the ball at the Notre Dame 31, but they were unable to convert this into points. Their only points through three quarters came on a 47-yard field goal by Jacobo Echeverria Lozano. Drennan punted six times for 313 yards, including a 78-yarder that went for a touchback. Backup Evans Chuba hit Bisi Owens from 14 yards with six seconds left, the first career touchdown for Chuba and Owens’ first at the FBS level. Owens had 11 at Penn.
The loss left Purdue at 1-3 and 0-1 in the Big Ten with a trip to Champaign Illinois next week to face the Illini in a battle for the Cannon Trophy.
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 26, 2026: The Shillelagh Trophy at the Purdue Boilermaker vs the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 26, 2026: Purdue University Senior Wide Receiver Xavier Townsend (3) during the Purdue Boilermakers vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 26, 2026: Purdue University Quarterback Ryan Browne (15) during the Purdue Boilermakers vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 26, 2026: Notre Dame University Football Head Coach Marcus Freeman during the Purdue Boilermakers vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 26, 2026: Purdue University Senior Basketball Forward Enzo Shahrvin during the Purdue Boilermakers vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 26, 2026: Purdue Boilermaker Football vs the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 26, 2026: Purdue University Spirit Squad Cheerleading during the Purdue Boilermakers vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 26, 2026: Purdue University Quarterback Ryan Browne (15), Purdue University Senior Defensive Back Donovan Saunders (7) during the Purdue Boilermakers vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 26, 2026: Purdue University Senior Defensive Back Donovan Saunders (7) during the Purdue Boilermakers vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 26, 2026: Purdue University Junior Defensive Back Hudauri Hines (4) during the Purdue Boilermakers vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 26, 2026: Purdue University Junior Linebacker Charles Correa (5) during the Purdue Boilermakers vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 26, 2026: Purdue University Senior Wide Receiver Xavier Townsend (3) during the Purdue Boilermakers vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 26, 2026: Notre Dame University Mascot The Leprechaun during the Purdue Boilermakers vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 26, 2026: Purdue University Quarterback Ryan Browne (15) during the Purdue Boilermakers vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 26, 2026: Purdue University Senior Defensive Back Donovan Saunders (7), Notre Dame University Junior WR Micah Gilbert (14) during the Purdue Boilermakers vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 26, 2026: Purdue University Quarterback Ryan Browne (15) during the Purdue Boilermakers vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 26, 2026: Purdue University Sophomore Running Back Fame Ijeboi (2) during the Purdue Boilermakers vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 26, 2026: Purdue University Freshman Running Back Antonio Harris (22), Notre Dame University Senior LB Drayk Bowen (34) during the Purdue Boilermakers vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 26, 2026: Notre Dame University Sophomore RB Nolan James Jr. (2), Purdue University Linebacker Winston Berglund (20) during the Purdue Boilermakers vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 26, 2026: Purdue University Quarterback Ryan Browne (15) during the Purdue Boilermakers vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 26, 2026: Purdue University Sophomore Running Back Jerrick Gibson (4) during the Purdue Boilermakers vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 26, 2026: Purdue University Sophomore Running Back Jerrick Gibson (4) during the Purdue Boilermakers vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 26, 2026: Purdue Boilermaker Football vs the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 26, 2026: Notre Dame University Junior RB Aneyas Williams (22) during the Purdue Boilermakers vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 26, 2026: Notre Dame University Junior WR Micah Gilbert (14) during the Purdue Boilermakers vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 26, 2026: Purdue Boilermaker Football vs the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 26, 2026: Notre Dame University Junior RB Aneyas Williams (22) during the Purdue Boilermakers vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 26, 2026: Purdue Boilermaker Football vs the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 26, 2026: Purdue University Ross-Ade Brigade during the Purdue Boilermakers vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 26, 2026: Purdue University Quarterback Ryan Browne (15), Notre Dame University Senior DL Armel Mukam (88) during the Purdue Boilermakers vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 26, 2026: Purdue University Sophomore Defensive Back Justin Denson Jr. (21) during the Purdue Boilermakers vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 26, 2026: Purdue Boilermaker Football vs the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 26, 2026: Notre Dame University Junior QB CJ Carr (13) during the Purdue Boilermakers vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 26, 2026: Notre Dame University Senior TE Cooper Flanagan (87), Purdue University Sophomore Defensive Back Dee Newsome (29) during the Purdue Boilermakers vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 26, 2026: Notre Dame University Junior WR Micah Gilbert (14), Purdue University Junior Defensive Back Hudauri Hines (4) during the Purdue Boilermakers vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 26, 2026: Notre Dame University Junior QB CJ Carr (13) during the Purdue Boilermakers vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 26, 2026: Notre Dame University Junior QB CJ Carr (13) during the Purdue Boilermakers vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 26, 2026: Notre Dame University Senior LB Drayk Bowen (34), Notre Dame University Senior S Adon Shuler (8) during the Purdue Boilermakers vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 26, 2026: Notre Dame University Senior WR Jordan Faison (6), Purdue University Senior Defensive Back Donovan Saunders (7) during the Purdue Boilermakers vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 26, 2026: Notre Dame University Sophomore RB Nolan James Jr. (2) during the Purdue Boilermakers vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 26, 2026: Notre Dame University Sophomore RB Nolan James Jr. (2), Notre Dame University Junior OL Guerby Lambert (76) during the Purdue Boilermakers vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 26, 2026: Purdue University Quarterback Ryan Browne (15), Notre Dame University Senior DL Boubacar Traore (5) during the Purdue Boilermakers vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 26, 2026: Purdue University Junior Offensive Lineman Boaz Stanley (50) during the Purdue Boilermakers vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 26, 2026: Purdue University Sophomore Running Back Fame Ijeboi (2), Notre Dame University Junior DL Tionne Gray (0) during the Purdue Boilermakers vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 26, 2026: Purdue University Wide Receiver Tra'Mar Harris (11), Notre Dame University Junior CB Leonard Moore (15) during the Purdue Boilermakers vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 26, 2026: Purdue University Wide Receiver Tra'Mar Harris (11), Notre Dame University Fifth Year LB Jaylen Sneed (3) during the Purdue Boilermakers vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 26, 2026: Purdue University Sophomore Offensive Lineman Terrell Berryhill Jr. (71) during the Purdue Boilermakers vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 26, 2026: Purdue University Quarterback Ryan Browne (15) during the Purdue Boilermakers vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 26, 2026: Purdue University Quarterback Ryan Browne (15) during the Purdue Boilermakers vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 26, 2026: Purdue University Freshman Kicker Jacobo Echeverria Lozano (92), Purdue University Freshman Punter Dylan Drennan (42) during the Purdue Boilermakers vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 26, 2026: DJ Band Camp during the Purdue Boilermakers vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 26, 2026: Notre Dame University Sophomore RB Nolan James Jr. (2), Purdue University Junior Linebacker Charles Correa (5) during the Purdue Boilermakers vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 26, 2026: Notre Dame University Senior WR Jordan Faison (6), Purdue University Junior Defensive Back Hudauri Hines (4) during the Purdue Boilermakers vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 26, 2026: Notre Dame University Junior RB Aneyas Williams (22), Purdue University Junior Defensive Back John Slaughter (13) during the Purdue Boilermakers vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - SEPTEMBER 26, 2026: Purdue University Spirit Squad Cheerleading during the Purdue Boilermakers vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish football game at Ross-Ade Stadium(Photo by Steve Bowen / Northern Indiana Sports Report)
