-- Notre Dame’s first win of the season — a 56–30 victory over Purdue — brought plenty of fireworks on offense, but the defense remains under the microscope. The Irish defense surrendered 286 yards in the first half, letting the Boilermakers average 6.5 yards per play early. But after halftime, they tightened up — limiting Purdue to just 76 rushing yards total. And compared to Texas A&M, a much more explosive offense, the Purdue test doesn’t quite prove that Notre Dame’s defensive issues are fixed. With a trip to Arkansas looming, the Irish defense will need to show it can deliver a full game — not just a better half.