Five immediate reactions to Notre Dame blowing out Purdue

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It took Notre Dame a little bit to settle in, but once it did, the Irish were off to the races taking a 35-0 halftime lead and defeating host Purdue 49-10 in West Lafayette.

The Irish improve to 4-0 on the season, while the Boilermakers fall to 1-3. It was a complete showing from Notre Dame, as the offense scored 42 of the points, with the defense itself outscoring Purdue (that garbage-time touchdown doesn’t count).

There was plenty to be happy about after this game as the Irish looked like a complete team during its first true road game of the fall. It wasn’t all roses, however, as you can find out my five immediate reactions to Notre Dame blowing out Purdue.

Micah Gilbert’s emergence is huge for Notre Dame

After 170-yards last week, I thought that the breakout was real, and Gilbert backed that up with two receptions for 83-yards and a touchdown. Having a big-play receiver makes this offense much more difficult to account for. Gilbert has waited for his opportunity, and he’s making the most of it right now. Jordan Faison has a solid game as well, showing that the pair are carrying the group right now.

Bryce Young could finally be breaking out

What a game from Young, with two sacks and a forced fumble that was picked up by linebacker Drayk Bowen and returned for a score. Most of the time he looked unblockable, as the need for another edge rusher to step up with Boubacar Traore has been a very positive development.

The run game looked better for Notre Dame

After last week’s performance, it looked like Nolan James Jr. was taking over the starting spot, and he did get the early touches, but it was Aneyas Williams who had the big game. He’d end up with 13 carries for 75-yards and a score, his 22-yard run was the longest by a back all year. Both ran well, although not at the level we’ve been accustomed to seeing. It was improvement, which is exactly what we wanted to see.

Notre Dame didn’t come out of the half playing well

That wasn’t a pretty third quarter, as some of the adjustments made by Purdue were better than those for the Irish. Notre Dame’s final third quarter drive did result in a touchdown, but it was the first play of the fourth. You have seeing a turnover and three-and-out in back-to-back drives, but it does happen.

Great to see Notre Dame using the tight ends again

After not recording a catch last week, the Irish tight ends got back into the game plan with a solid showing. Cooper Flanagan and James Flanigan combined for three catches for 38-yards and a score. Just having the threat of a tight end over the middle opens up lanes in the defense, and

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This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Five immediate reactions to Notre Dame blowing out Purdue

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