Purdue @ Notre Dame preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 1, 2011 ) Notre Dame 38, Purdue 10

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After combining for 98 points in their season opening blowout wins, No. 22 Notre Dame will host Purdue on Saturday when both teams hope to build on their solid offensive performances. The Irish relied on their ground game with 293 yards and five touchdowns in a 50-10 victory over Navy. Purdue took to the air with 372 passing yards and four touchdown passes in its 48-6 win over Eastern Kentucky. Notre Dame has dominated this longstanding series against Purdue in recent years with four straight wins and six victories in the last seven meetings. The Boilermakers have won four of their last five games, though, including a rare victory over Ohio State in 2011.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, NBC. LINE: Notre Dame -14.5

ABOUT PURDUE (1-0): Boilermakers quarterback Caleb TerBush will return from his one-game suspension and start after backup Robert Marve threw for 295 yards and three touchdowns against Eastern Kentucky, although coach Danny Hope plans to play both against the Irish. The Purdue defense complemented its passing game in the season opener, holding Eastern Kentucky to 190 yards and 10 first downs while forcing four turnovers.

ABOUT NOTRE DAME (1-0): Irish sophomore Everett Golson will start again at quarterback, despite last year’s starter Tommy Rees returning from a one-game suspension and given an increased role in practice. Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly indicated Rees would only compete for backup duties in Purdue preparations. The Irish offense will again be without starting tailback Cierre Wood, who will finish his two-game suspension against Purdue. Senior tailback Theo Riddick rushed for 107 yards and two touchdowns against Navy in place of Wood.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Irish have played Purdue 83 times since 1896, which is more all-time meetings for Notre Dame than any other Big Ten opponent. Notre Dame leads the series 55-26-2.

2. The winner of the Purdue-Notre Dame game is presented with the Shillelagh Trophy, a tradition that started in 1957.

3. Greg Eifert, a standout basketball player at Purdue from 1981-84, is the father of Notre Dame senior tight end Tyler Eifert.

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