These Five were the stars for Notre Dame at Purdue

These Five were the stars for Notre Dame at Purdue

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These Five were the stars for Notre Dame at Purdue

No. 3 Notre Dame rolled over the Purdue Boilermakers, 49-10, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, In., on Saturday.

There are plenty of Fighting Irish players worthy of praise after a performance like that. Here are our top 5 stars after Saturday's game.

A game that set records, by the way. And allowed for some players to reach individual milestones, as well.

5 ⭐️ – The Defense

Sep 12, 2026; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Boubacar Traore (5) celebrates scoring with defensive lineman Armel Mukam (88) against the Rice Owls during the first half at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Caterina-Imagn Images

If it weren't for a touchdown in the closing seconds, Notre Dame would've kept Purdue completely out of the end zone. It seemed like every time I looked up, Purdue's quarterback was on the ground. There was a wobble early, as Purdue moved the ball a bit on its second drive, but after a fake punt was snuffed out, the Boilermakers did very little against the Notre Dame D.

4 ⭐️ – Micah Gilbert

Notre Dame wide receiver Micah Gilbert (14) celebrates after catching a pass during a NCAA football game against Michigan State at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in South Bend.

Micah Gilbert caught a long pass for 56 yards early and a touchdown later. They were his only two catches, but they were huge. He totaled 81 yards.

3 ⭐️ – CJ Carr

Notre Dame football quarterback CJ Carr saw his streak of 14 straight games with a touchdown pass end against Michigan State. Time to start another one Saturday at Purdue.

Carr was his usual efficient self. He did throw his first pick of the season, but it was too late in the game to matter. He finished 14-of-22 for 237 yards, three touchdowns, one rushing touchdown, and the interception.

He fired off several solid throws to find holes in the defensive zone, and his early 56-yarder to Gilbert got the Irish rolling.

2 ⭐️ – Aneyas Williams

Sep 26, 2026; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Aneyas Williams (22) runs for a touchdown in the second quarter against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

It looked like Williams might be on the outs in favor of Nolan James, but he had a solid day Saturday with 80 yards on 14 carries. His longest, a 22-yarder, also was a touchdown. And Notre Dame's longest run so far this season — the first one over 20 yards.

1 ⭐️ – Drayk Bowen

Notre Dame linebacker Drayk Bowen (34) lines up during the first half of a NCAA football game against Purdue at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, in South Bend.

Getting his first career touchdown on a scoop and score, Bowen took advantage of opportunity when Bryce Young forced a Ryan Browne fumble. The Indiana kid helped Notre Dame establish a rout over the Boilermakers.

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This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: These Five were the stars for Notre Dame at Purdue

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