The whole story
Aidan O’Connell’s conscience has been cleared, along with those of four former Purdue football players who opted out of the 2023 Citrus Bowl to prepare for the NFL draft. Their absence left Purdue vulnerable, leading to a 63-7 loss to Louisiana State University, which was the worst defeat in Boilermakers history—until Notre Dame came to West Lafayette on September 14 and handed Purdue a 66-7 thrashing that began from the opening drive and continued until the final whistle. The only thing Purdue won that day was the coin toss.
What actually happened
With Cignetti’s arrival and the talented team he has quickly assembled, the power dynamics in Indiana’s Big Ten landscape
shifted toward Bloomington. The Boilermakers now face the challenge of rebuilding.
Central to IU’s success is quarterback Kurtis Rourke, who performed exceptionally well, throwing for 307 yards and four touchdowns in the Rose Bowl. Tough season ahead
In just three games this season, the Hoosiers have tallied 150 points, a feat that took them nine games last season. Cignetti’s hiring is a concern for Boilermaker fans, as it has provided IU with ample reasons to celebrate over their in-state rivals. This coach is poised to deliver strong results, leading to plenty of joy for IU supporters.
After an earlier home loss to Northern Illinois University, Notre Dame fans found solace in Purdue’s struggles. Many fans reportedly left the game early, feeling disheartened. Purdue fans, feeling relatively good after a 49-0 victory against Indiana State, now find their confidence shaken after such a lopsided defeat.
This game highlighted the disparity in talent between a perennial contender like Notre Dame and a team like Purdue, which is struggling to stay relevant in a competitive league. While Purdue’s players appeared dominant against ISU, they looked outmatched against the Irish.
What to expect
Purdue’s offensive and defensive lines struggled to contain Notre Dame. Quarterback Hudson Card, who had a stellar game the week prior, was pressured constantly.
