Purdue football would be held back for grades in loss to Notre Dame
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WEST LAFAYETTE − Purdue football was outmatched by Notre Dame on Saturday.
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The Boilermakers knew it, evidenced by attempting a fake punt in the first quarter at midfield.
Sixty minutes of football verified just how lopsided it was.
The third-ranked Irish beat Purdue so bad, the Boilermakers likely will be held back based on its report card from Ross-Ade Stadium.
Let the grades tell the story of Notre Dame's 49-10 win.
Purdue offense tanks against stout Notre Dame defense
OFFENSE GRADE: F
Purdue's much-improved offense got humbled by the best defense it's faced.
Ryan Browne completed 64.3% of his passes but his 18 completions only accounted for 111 yards. The Boilermakers joined Wisconsin, Rice and Michigan State as teams that could muster nothing in the run game versus Notre Dame's defense. After some garbage time yards by Purdue's second unit and Bisi Owens' touchdown with six seconds remaining, the offense still left averaging just 3.2 yards per play.
Purdue defense allows more explosive plays
DEFENSE GRADE: F
By halftime, Notre Dame had eight plays of 10 or more yards, five of those going for more than 20. It seems the issues that plagued Purdue at Rose Bowl Stadium a week earlier carried over.
After forcing a quick punt on Notre Dame's first drive, the Boilermakers didn't see the Irish punt team again until the third quarter. The Irish had so little respect for Purdue's defense, they went for it on fourth-and-1 from their own 24. Naturally, the Irish picked up the first down. Charles Correa's interception in the third quarter was a rare sign of positivity on an otherwise dismal day. The Irish finished with 11 explosive plays.
Specialists lift special teams to average grade
SPECIAL TEAMS GRADE: C
The fake punt didn't work. Xavier Townsend returned a kickoff out of the end zone that picked up 16 yards before a block in the back penalty started Purdue's drive inside the 10. Jordan Faison gained 16 yards on a return where Purdue's punt team didn't contain the outside.
The placekicker and punter remain quality pieces. Jacobo Echeverria Lozano's 47-yard field goal in the third quarter assured the Boilermakers wouldn't be shut out. Dylan Drennan missiled a 78-yard punt and averaged 52.2 yards per on six boots.
Judging results doesn't favor Purdue football coaches
COACHING GRADE: F
It looked promising early. With the game still scoreless, Purdue put together a 12-play drive that stalled on the direct snap to Antonio Harris with the punt team on the field. Four plays later, Notre Dame was in the end zone. The Boilermakers were coaching with a talent disadvantage, but after that drive that fizzled out at midfield, the Boilermakers played mostly uninspired football. Barry Odom continues to say you're judged on results. Well, Purdue is 1-3 and ends its nonconference portion of the schedule with a 39-point loss.
Notre Dame's Bryce Young changes game against Purdue
GAME MVP: Bryce Young
Bryce Young was a big reason Purdue couldn't move the ball on the ground and also delivered the hit on Ryan Browne that led to Notre Dame's defensive touchdown after Drayk Bowen scooped up the fumble and rumbled 34 yards. That was one of two sacks for Notre Dame's junior defensive tackle.
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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Purdue football would be held back for grades in loss to Notre Dame
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