Four to watch when Notre Dame football visits Purdue (2024)

SOUTH BEND — What was dismissed when the 2024 schedule dropped as just another road game — just another easy road game — might be anything but for No. 19 Notre Dame football.

Does head coach Marcus Freeman know what Irish team will show Saturday (3:30 p.m., CBS) against Purdue? Do the Irish? Do the Boilermakers? Does anyone?

Here are four players to watch when Notre Dame heads back out on the road (this time, by bus) and Saturday’s game at Rosse-Ade Stadium.

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No. 19 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (1-1)

RB Jeremiyah Love (4)

It’s time. Time for offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock to unlock Love. Turn him loose. Feed him early. Feed him often. Let him put his myriad skills to use in myriad ways. Find some lanes to run through. Find some defenders to jump over. Find a quick screen that turns into a quick big play.

Four to watch when Notre Dame football visits Purdue (2)

We’ve seen bits and pieces of what the 6-foot, 210-pound sophomore from St. Louis can do the first two games. He ran for 91 yards on 14 attempts and a touchdown at Texas A&M. He ran for 79 yards on 11 carries and that 34-yard touchdown run (and hurdle of a tackler) against Northern Illinois. Stunningly, he carried only once (for three yards) the rest of the way on a day that the Irish ran for only 123 yards.

We need to see more, especially with this offense fighting to find an identity. Run the ball with Love and everything that Denbrock hopes to do vertically will open. Love’s too good to be in a bit role.

DE R.J. Oben (9)

Seeing Oben for the first time in spring, you got the feeling that one defensive end spot on a veteran unit was in good hands. Capable hands. Old hands. Oben looked like a 23-year-old who came to South Bend having played over 1,000 career snaps should look. Mature. Mean. Difference-maker.

Four to watch when Notre Dame football visits Purdue (3)

That all disappeared. Oben has started both games but has only two tackles (one in each contest) to show for it. No sacks. No tackles for loss. No quarterback hurries. No nothing. No big plays from someone expected to set the edge and set it well replacing Javontae Jean-Baptiste, who finished with 49 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, five sacks, 11 quarterback hurries last season with a nastiness that struck fear into opposing offensive lines.

The 6-3, 265-pound Duke transfer has just kind of/sort of been there. Marcus Freeman said he didn’t play much against Northern Illinois (11 plays) because he needs to be in better condition. Not what you want to hear from someone who’s supposed to get college football.

Purdue Boilermakers (1-0)

QB Hudson Card (1)

Grab a friend and a football and go into the backyard and stand 10, then 15, then 20 yards apart. Throw the ball and try to do what Card did the first time out in the Aug. 31 opener against Indiana State. He attempted 25 passes. He completed 24. He threw four touchdowns. He finished with a passing rating of 240.5. That’s hard.

Four to watch when Notre Dame football visits Purdue (4)

Card’s not going to complete 96 percent of his throws against that Notre Dame defense, is he? The former prep wide receiver and Texas transfer who spent parts of three seasons with the Longhorns has that potential. He can throw it. He can run it. He can direct an offense with confidence. We saw last week what a confident quarterback can do against a suddenly somewhat suspect Irish defense.

A Big Ten honorable mention choice last season after throwing for 2,387 yards and 15 TDs while completing 58.9 percent of his passes, Card’s a wild card that this Irish defense hasn’t yet seen this season. He’s done it.

DE Will Heldt (15)

Words to describe the 6-6, 265-pound sophomore/early enrollee from Carmel, Indiana began to leak out in the spring, even before Heldt snared an interception and returned it 23 yards in the spring game. He was labeled a “monster.” Others dubbed him the “terminator.” Some just shook their heads. Like, watch out for No. 15.

This young guy plays old. Looks old. Has a motor.

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Heldt spent last season behind Nic Scourton, now at Texas A&M. He appeared in 12 games with 12 tackles, then stepped into the spot vacated by the Big Ten sack leader and showed a little of everything against Indiana State to start this season. He’s the defensive leader. He made a team-high six tackles. He tied for the team lead with seven overall stops. He led the Boilers in tackles for loss (three for nine yards) and sacks (two for seven yards) and added a quarterback hurry for the heck of it.

Purdue’s defense will be tested Saturday. Expect Heldt, a finance major, to ace the exam.

Follow South Bend Tribune and NDInsider columnist Tom Noie on Twitter: @tnoieNDI

Four to watch when Notre Dame football visits Purdue (2024)

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