9/22/2025 Boilermaker Water Cooler Chat: Conflicted Edition
Rants, ravings, and somewhat sensical opinions following the wild, wacky, and wide-wide world of Purdue sports.
I have a conflicted relationship with Notre Dame.
As you know, I grew up in the shadows of the golden dome, a quick drive over here in the Region. Around here, you can’t get away from the Fighting Irish, and their legions of “Subway Alumni” or as most of us call them, the “people obsessed with Notre Dame having no affiliation with the school, whatsoever.” The logo, the images, the blind following, its all ubiquitous here in this part of the state. Try being a fourth generation Boilermaker nestled deeply in the culture around here…
Part of me has a strong affinity for Notre Dame. Holster your weapons, Boilermakers… it’s not what you think. When I was a teenager, I was blessed with an opportunity to attend a week long Catholic youth camp held yearly at Notre Dame. That week was quite formative for my personality, my spirituality, and my life. My best friend and I attended, and our lives changed as a result. My life was forever impacted by my experiences there. The building of my soul, the spiritual awakening, and incredible memories, things that I will carry my entire life. I met some of the best people that I have ever been blessed to know, that week. The types who you carry in your hearts and minds forever.
So, when I had an opportunity to cover this game, I jumped at the occasion. Pregame, I walked through campus, taking in the sites. Taking in the places where my heart and soul changed. The Basilica of the Sacred Heart. The Grotto. The South Dining Court. All places which have made an impact on me. I celebrated mass in the Crypt, I said my decades at the Grotto, I sent up all the smoke signals that I could. The world is a scary place, right now. I needed a bit of a tune-up, to breathe some rejuvenation back into the Christianity which is tattooed across my heart. I needed it, and I implore those of faith, or others looking for answers, to do the same.
Several hours later, I walked towards the stadium and things began to shift a bit. The Subway Alumni made their presence known, as the tailgate crowds had grown while I celebrated mass. While the churches are comforting and nostalgic, Notre Dame athletics make me… uncomfortable. When I say uncomfortable, I am using that word as a euphemism which is carrying a heavy burden. As a man of a certain age, bleeding the Old Gold & Black, South Bend Indiana is not a place where you tend to feel at home. Full disclosure, the people are incredibly nice, there was no hostility. South Bend is just a place where a Boilermaker feels unease. If you’re over 30, you get it.
Sure, I remember the years of Drew Brees flipping into the endzone, Kyle Orton ravishing the Irish, and Taylor Stubblefield doing that one thing he did… but I also remember several decades of suffering. Several decades of losing by several touchdowns. Danny Hope calling timeouts, and Brady Quinn throwing the ball to what’s his name, for several more touchdowns. Charlie Weiss.
Win, lose, or draw, there is nostalgia involved with Notre Dame. I’ve written here before, that my earliest memory is sitting on my grandfather’s lap, in Ross Ade Stadium, watching Notre Dame take the field. I vividly remember that “They had small flags compared to Purdue.” The rivalry has faded over the years, but in my soul its still the early 2000s where the Boilers had the Domer’s number. As we know, however, time continues, but my old memories burnt bright on hot September Saturday.
Dreamy morning, nightmarish afternoon. The duality of Ben.
The Game:
Purdue 30, #24 Notre Dame 56
The Boilers showed some moxie early. Hutzpah, really. Game stayed close for a while, but was never really in doubt. Notre Dame, over the past several years, is in a completely different universe and this game played out almost exactly how I imagined it would. Boilers didn’t force a punt for the second straight game. The Fighting Irish could not be stopped on the ground or through the air. The officials provided their obligatory blown call in Notre Dame’s favor, leading to points. Boilers fought hard but were out gunned. You know, a Purdue vs Notre Dame carbon copy in South Bend.
Ryan Browne played a solid game, passing for 250 yards, with 1 TD and 1 INT. He also received a touchdown on a nifty trick play when the game was competitive. Devin Mockobee threw the pass, and ended the game with a QB Rating of 547.6… vs 16 total yards rushing. Yowch.
That QBR of 547.6, however, is just barely outdoes the 535 yards that Notre Dame picked up over the night. CJ Carr bombed away when he wanted to, throwing for 223 yards and 2 TD on 10-12 passes. The real pain, however, came from the Irish rushing attack. 254 yards, with the dual headed monster of Love and Price combining for 231 yards, and 5 TDs, all while averaging 8.25 yards per carry, combined. Yeah, that is pretty solid, if I say so myself.
Purdue – Notre Dame Gallery by Mark Elsner: https://iscpurdue.com/purdue-football-vs-notre-dame-9-20-25/
Break It Down:
This Purdue team is lightyears ahead of where they were last year. That being said, Notre Dame is light years ahead of the Boilermakers. Purdue hung in there for a bit, aided by some creative play calling, but the Fighting Irish did what they needed to do, and simply out skilled the Boilermakers. Notre Dame won play over play, dominated the line of scrimmage, and had the speed advantage to the edges. Yes, disappointing, but there was fire from this team. Lest we forget, Purdue has played two of the best offenses in the nation over the past two weeks. This is not a fair measuring stick.
Purdue showed fight. They didn’t roll over and croak like they did week over week last season. There was creativity in the play calling. There were some positives to take from this.
Yes, Purdue got smacked around. Yes, Purdue kinda looked ok while doing so. Yes, I am disgusted that Purdue lost to Notre Dame. Yes, I am well aware that the Boilermaker-building-blocks are clearly available. The general state of a Purdue fan, the conflicted Boilermaker.
What Went Well:
- Creative Play Calling: A slick Mockobee to Brown passing play following a handoff caught the Irish napping. This is the type of play calling that Brohm did his first few years at Purdue, but stopped doing in later years. If you’re going to be overmatched, you might as well go down swinging!
- Ryan Browne: Had some sophomore moments, but he has proven to be a trustworthy QB back there under center. His 2 minute drill to end the 1st half, was incredible, going the length of the field in 50 seconds to score a TD to keep it close.
- Myles Slusher: Had himself a game. 11 tackles, 9 solo, and a strip sack to initiate the first take away of the year for the Boilermakers.
- Pretty Special: The kicking and punting game was a highlight for the Boilermakers. Porath went 3-3 on field goals including a 48 yarder early on. McCallister had 5 punts with an average of 45.2 yards, and ran for a first down on a fake punt. His 10 yard run on fourth down, accounted for 13% of Purdue’s rushing yards.
Opportunities for Improvement:
- When Your Punter: …was the leading rusher for much of the game you are in for long day. Devin Mockobee averaged 1.3 yards per carry. Poor performance? Maybe. The reality lies in the offensive line who absolutely could not get any push on the Fighting Irish.
- Twice This Season: Purdue has had lightning delays. This one lasting nearly 2 hours. Luckily the Notre Dame Pressbox had delicious coffee, because this game extended well past my bedtime.
- I Mean…: Notre Dame averaged 5.9 yards per carry, and that is down due to mop-up time. The two headed monster averaged over 8 yards per rush. Mercy. So add the defensive line to the mix too.
- 6: Penalties for 60 yards. This Purdue team is much more disciplined than last year. The penalties were rough early on. While 6 penalties isn’t a -ton- when they happened it absolutely wrecked Purdue. I understand the two holding penalties. Notre Dame is fast and when you’re out skilled, you have to hold to keep your position. Two personal foul penalties? Nope. Both dumb. Can’t give your opponents yards like that.
- Speaking of Penalties: I am fairly certain that it is written into referees’ contracts that they must “provide Notre Dame with a touchdown” with a completely blown call. During the 100 yard kickoff return for touchdown, a wall of humanity hit the ground, which very clearly was a holding penalty. Replays showed it clear as day. The official saw it, threw the flag. Then he thought about it for several minutes, and decided to wave the flag off. I will be very clear, Purdue was not going to win this game… but Notre Dame didn’t need help. Instead of it being a two score game, it is now a 3 score game. To the surprise of nobody, this was a Big Ten officiating crew. Big Ten Crews get intimidated by South Bend… or infatuated… not sure which. Also, to the surprise of nobody, since this is a Big Ten officiating crew, nobody will be held accountable for the ineptitude.
Big Man on Campus:
Due to popular demand, the BMOC award will not be handed out this week. Coffee is for closers.
A Look Ahead:
The Boilers limp into the bye week needing to lick their wounds. There are a lot of positives to grow on, but several negatives that need addressing. A week off is just what the doctor ordered.
Following the bye week, Purdue will welcome the (suddenly cowardly) Illinois Fighting Illini, who just got massacred by the Indiana Hoosiers. I will be attending that game as a fan, so feel free to buy me a beer or just come by and say hi!
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