Kevin Kane returned to Purdue with the aim of fixing one of the nation’s worst defenses. After three games, the reunion has been rough.
The Boilermakers have let up the most points per game and third most yards per game of any Power 4 squad, and that run has already drawn fan displeasure. It covers 19 consecutive conference contests and 25 straight games against Power 4 schools and independents. Now they face an even sterner examination: No. 3 Notre Dame comes calling at Ross-Ade Stadium on Saturday.
The coach is not hiding the size of the trouble. “I don’t think anybody on that side of the ball right now would say ‘Yeah, we’re where we want to be or where we expect to be,'” Odom said. “We’ve got a lot of work to do, and that’s from me all the way down to anyone associated with the defense. The players have that responsibility, too. They understand how we’ve played is not anywhere close to where we need to be.”
The Numbers Behind The Record
The numbers tell the story. Purdue’s only win in its last 27 matchups against FBS teams came against Ball State in the 2025 season opener. That stretch includes 19 consecutive conference games and 25 straight against Power 4 schools and independents.
Two of the three defeats involved weaknesses in the defense showing through. Purdue surrendered an overtime lead against Wake Forest, conceding 52 points and 645 yards in a defeat at UCLA. The second came two months after that, when Purdue fell to Indiana by 66-0 in the season finale.
Two years ago, when Notre Dame handed Purdue its worst loss in school history, Kane was calling the defense. That game ended 66-7 in favor of the Fighting Irish.
The Notre Dame Threat
Notre Dame (3-0) is trying to finish September with a perfect record for the first time since 2021. Its offense is scoring 40.0 points per game, even more than Purdue has surrendered (36.3).
The Irish offense is running smoothly under CJ Carr’s direction, and the numbers on the page suggest the contest should be one-sided.
Irish coach Marcus Freeman sees it differently. “I think they’re an ascending team,” he said. “I think they’re much improved from last year. Their offense is really good. It presents some challenges that we haven’t seen this year, especially with the quarterback and the way he is protecting the football, making good decisions.”
Freeman is not turning a blind eye to the issues on the other side of the ball. However, if the Purdue defense can’t find some answers, it won’t, it does not really matter.
“I’m just going to keep swinging and eventually this wall is going to come down,” Odom said. “I owe it to this team, to these players to give every ounce I’ve got in my soul to get that done and it doesn’t matter how close we are. We’ve just got to keep fighting.”
Browne’s Improvement
Carr and Ryan Browne will meet on the field, each entering his second straight year as a starter at the same school. The matchup pits two quarterbacks against one another, with Browne’s progress largely passing unnoticed despite the evidence on paper.
He’s completing 73.3% of his throws, ranks fifth nationally with 1,024 yards passing and has seven TDs and just one interception. “I think the quarterback play has been outstanding for three weeks,” Odom said. “Ryan’s delivered the ball. He’s had time to do that mostly.”
The quarterback play has stood out as the one bright spot for a team that badly needs one, according to Odom’s assessment.
The Rivalry History
The Fighting Irish are engaged in another rivalry contest this week, following one last weekend. The demands of the ACC have made it harder to preserve traditional rivalries on Notre Dame’s calendar, though Freeman has been a strong advocate for maintaining those matchups.
Odom would like this one to stay on the schedule, too. “I know both fan bases look forward to this game,” Odom said. “I always look at what’s best for Purdue, and we’ve got to make those decisions administratively on what we think is best for building the program. If Notre Dame falls into that, that’s what the schedule should be.”
This is not a new competition between these two teams. Purdue’s last game against Indiana did not go well. The final regular-season contest was even worse for them. Both coaches hope this time the result carries more weight.
James Takes Over The Rushing Role
Nolan James came into this season with little time under his belt. Before it began, he had just 14 carries for 37 yards. He has since taken over as Notre Dame’s main ball carrier.
Against Michigan State, James rushed for 121 yards and one touchdown on 26 attempts, helping his team to a win. Across his first three contests, he tops the squad in both carries (39) and rushing yards (169) while tying for the team lead with three rushing touchdowns.
“He’s running hard,” Freeman said. “He’s breaking tackles. He’s playing with a velocity, man, like he’s seeing it and committed to it.”
This season, the Irish have rediscovered a feature that has proven difficult for opponents to stop. Purdue’s defense faces the task of containing it.
The Pattern So Far
Up until now, the formula for success has been clear: when the defense has stepped up, the team has avoided defeat. Every loss has come about because the defense failed to match that standard. Here is a rundown of the opponents Purdue has faced so far:
- Wake Forest — loss, 52 points allowed
- UCLA — loss, 645 yards allowed
- Indiana — loss, 66-0
| Game | Result | Points Allowed |
|---|---|---|
| Wake Forest | Loss | 52 |
| UCLA | Loss | 645 yards |
| Indiana | Loss | 66-0 |
The numbers demonstrate how wide the difference is between the two games. The defense allowed 645 yards against UCLA. It allowed 66-0 against Indiana. That contrast is exactly what Odom is concerned about.
The Wall Will Come Down
Odom’s closing statement is a promise, not a prediction. “I’m just going to keep swinging and eventually this wall is going to come down,” he said. “I owe it to this team, to these players to give every ounce I’ve got in my soul to get that done and it doesn’t matter how close we are. We’ve just got to keep fighting.”
The next game is against a Notre Dame team that is 3-0 and scoring at a rate that outpaces Purdue’s defensive yield. The schedule is unforgiving.
The wall has not fallen yet. The swing continues.
Source material: “Purdue’s struggling defense faces a big challenge against No. 3 Notre Dame’s high scoring offense,” Yahoo Sports.
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