Safety help: The Irish were depleted at safety after Max Redfield was ejected for targeting. The Irish already were down Austin Collinsworth (MCL strain) and Eilar Hardy (academic investigation) then Redfield’s replacement Nicky Baratti was injured after replacing Redfield. Freshman Drue Tranquill took over in Redfield’s spot.
Golson gets it done: It may not have been Everett Golson’s best game, but the quarterback’s stat line did nothing to drop him from the early Heisman race — 25 of 40, 259 yards, three total touchdowns.
Paying penalty: Notre Dame was flagged for five penalties combined in its first two games. The Irish committed five penalties in the first half alone against the Boilermakers. They cleaned it up in the second half with just two.
Committee: The Irish still employed a running back by committee, with each of its three tailbacks, Tarean Folston, Cam McDaniel and Greg Bryant, rotating duties throughout the game. The Irish finished with 139 yards rushing.
Poor tackling: The Irish had 34 mental errors against Michigan, coach Brian Kelly said. Against Purdue, the errors also included the physical, as the Irish had a tough time tackling Boilermakers, especially early in the first half on Purdue’s first touchdown drive.
Looking ahead: The Irish are off
Saturday before heading to New York City to face Syracuse on Sept. 27.
— Chris Hine
