Notre Dame Notebook: Marcus Freeman Talks D-Line Dominance, Micah Gilbert After Purdue Win

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West Lafayette, Ind. – Notre Dame’s march to a 49-10 win over Purdue looked as easy as the final score would indicate. The Fighting Irish did actually punt before scoring the first of their seven total touchdowns, but the offense went on to score four consecutive times to close the first half, while the defense scored its own touchdown on Drayk Bowen’s scoop and score before the Boilermakers even sniffed a field goal.  

The key to the game for Marcus Freeman’s team, which won for a program record and FBS-leading 14th straight time, was to shut down Purdue’s passing game. The Boilermakers ranked No. 3 in the nation averaging 366.7 passing yards per game, but allowed just 178 in their fourth win in as many outings this season.  

Purdue starter Ryan Browne had 1,024 yards through his first three games but finished 18 of 28 for 111 yards. He endured 4.0 of the 6.0 sacks the Irish defense laid on the day. 

“I knew we had to get pressure on the quarterback, and however many guys we had to send them, we would do,” Freeman said after the win. “But we got good four-man pressure. It was that pressure. It was the four-man pressure that we were able to get on the quarterback that really helped this defense.” 

D-Line Dominance 

The four-man pressure was brought by Notre Dame’s defensive line. The key to defensive coordinator Chris Ash’s defense working is pressuring the quarterback with the front four. Charlie Partridge’s unit did than and then some on Saturday.  

The line combined for 24 tackles, 5.5 sacks and 6.5 tackles for loss against their B1G opponent. Bryce Young led the sack count with 2.0, including a take down of Browne on the game’s first play and another sack that jarred the ball from Browne’s grasp that linebacker Drayk Bowen gobbled up and returned for the defense’s third touchdown of the season.  

It was the ninth turnover forced this season by Notre Dame. The Irish came into the day with eight turnovers forced through three games, which is the most by a power four team. 

“The one play which was huge is, I think Bryce sacks the quarterback, Boubacar (Traore) forces the fumble, and  Drayk scoops and scores. That was a huge moment for us. I think it put us up 28. 

“They’re deep,” Freeman continued. “They play hard. You’re rolling three guys on the inside with Tionne (Gray), Armel (Mukam) and with (Francis) Brewu, and you’re keeping them fresh. You’re starting to gain some trust in those next (defensive) ends, too. You’re seeing LT (Loghan Thomas), you’re seeing Keon (Keeley) in there and really give us some valuable reps. Look, it’s a deep group. They are well coached. They play extremely hard. It’s a reflection of understanding what’s expected of them.” 

Micah Gilbert…Again 

After a breakout performance last week against Michigan State, wide receiver Micah Gilbert struck gold again against Purdue. He had just two receptions but made the most of each.  

Gilbert’s first grab was a 27-yard touchdown strike from CJ Carr for the game’s first score. He took a short pass on Notre Dame’s next drive and raced 56 yards to setup a 22-yard touchdown run by Aneyas Williams to finish with two catches for a game-high 83 yards. The junior now leads the Irish with 334 yards.  

“I think the trust has been earned over time,” Freeman said of Gilbert. “It’s through the summer. It’s through fall camp. I think the previous years, he had an injury or maybe had  Beaux Collins or  Malachi (Fields). But the trust has been earned between him and CJ. 

“Then the game plan has called for it in the past couple of weeks and will continue to call for it,” Freeman continued. And they capitalize off it because there’s repetition, repetition to it over and over in practice. That trust has to be built. 

“But I don’t want it to be just a reflection of a big play. This takes time. The game determined that that opportunity would come, and he took advantage of it.” 

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