Notre Dame had been waiting for Jordan Botelho to have a season like this. The graduate student defensive end has the highest 2024 Pro Football Focus defensive grade of any of the Fighting Irish’s players on that side of the ball through three games.

Redshirt freshman defensive end Boubacar Traore has been making plays all season for Notre Dame and just had another career game against Miami University. After a sack, tackle for loss and interception return for a touchdown against Purdue,

Burnham had been Notre Dame's best defensive end so far in the 2024 season. The junior from Michigan had four tackles and a tackle for loss in the loss to Northern Illinois, and he dominated the snaps at the position. Burnham also had two quarterback pressures in the first two games.

Riley Leonard recorded his first passing touchdown for Notre Dame, hitting fellow transfer Beaux Collins with a 38-yard beauty to make it 14-3 at the break.

After getting upset a week before, Notre Dame made a statement against Purdue in Week 3. The Fighting Irish pounded Purdue 66-7 -- their highest point total and biggest victory margin of the 88-game series.