Notre Dame Football: Purdue Boilermakers Q&A with Hammer and Rails

We’re all super excited for yet another ND football game this weekend, aren’t we?!? Let’s learn about the Boilers, their precious percussion instrument, and what to expect on Saturday!

I know this is the last thing you want to hear after the catastrophe that was last Saturday afternoon, but the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team actually has to not only play another game in just two days’ time, but they also still have at least 10 games remaining in this 2024 season that’s quickly begun to careen off the rails. I know, I know — we all feel like this right now about this football season for our beloved team:

But to keep things mostly light and fun — aside from one or two depressing FAN QUESTIONS — I reached out to Andrew Ledman over at Hammer and Rails, SB Nation’s one-stop-shop for all things Purdue Boilermakers.

Andrew fielded a number of program-related questions, several questions inquiring about whether the Boilers were going to stack the box with literally their entire defense, a couple questions about drums, and more! He provided some excellent insight into Purdue’s second season under Ryan Walters and what this matchup looks like as the Irish prepare for a West Lafayette road trip for the first time since 2013.

So, I won’t belabor the point any further — let’s see what Andrew had to say and try to get at least mildly interested in watching our hapless Irish take the field again this weekend.

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Alex Martin/Journal and Courier / USA TODAY NETWORK

1. Purdue is in Year 2 with head coach Ryan Walters as he tries to rebuild the program following Jeff Brohm’s departure for Louisville.

How do Boilermaker fans feel about him so far, and do you think he’ll be able to eventually make Purdue a contender in the Big Ten like they were in the Joe Tiller days?

Andrew Ledman, Hammer and Rails: Given that it’s the year 2024, there’s a certain percentage of the fanbase that already thinks he needs to go after one full season. Luckily, that’s a small portion of the fanbase and to quote Mr. Incredible, “You’re not affiliated with me!”

I think most of the fanbase views Walters as a guy who is doing his best to modernize the program, make the brand cool, and do a better job of recruiting. Brohm was a lot of things, and did a lot of good for the team, but he wasn’t a consistent recruiter. Walters is definitely doing a better job with the transfer portal and in today’s college game that’s so important.

I’m not sure any coach will get Purdue back to competing for Big Ten titles, top 10 rankings, and the Rose Bowl. College football has just changed so much since the Tiller days.

2. It was against the mighty Sycamores of Indiana State, but Hudson Card put up some pretty near-perfect numbers in the season opener.

What does he do well as a QB, what’s he not so good at, and what can Al Golden and the Irish defense do to target his weaknesses or throw him off his game?

Andrew Ledman, Hammer and Rails: He does nearly everything well. I don’t mean that as if he’s the perfect QB but merely that there’s not a glaring weakness in his game. He can make throws at all three levels and is great at spreading it around.

He can get a bit flustered and sometimes hang onto the ball a bit too long. He did that against an overmatched ISU team and so I’d imagine Notre Dame will bring plenty of pressure to try and rattle him.

3. Whom are the skill position players Card will be relying on most this weekend?

Andrew Ledman, Hammer and Rails: The WR corps is still a bit of a question mark. There’s a lot of talent but it’s unproven at Purdue. So I think he will look to Max Klare at the tight end position and his two running backs in Devin Mockobee and Reggie Love III to make plays.

Also, how’s the Boiler offensive line looking and how do you anticipate they’ll hold up against ND’s veteran front and talented linebackers?

Andrew Ledman, Hammer and Rails: The offensive line has been steadily improving over the last few years. It’s not mid-2000’s Wisconsin by any means but they are solid.

But, as noted above, Purdue has only played ISU so there’s still a lot to be learned.

4. Purdue’s defense is currently tied for 1st in the country in points allowed and 4th in yards allowed thanks to their dominance of Larry Legend’s alma mater.

Who are the guys Irish fans need to be scared of on Saturday, and after seeing the Irish offense struggle against NIU, do you think the Boilers can shut down Riley Leonard and co. in a similar fashion?

Andrew Ledman, Hammer and Rails: The secondary for Purdue has a lot of talent. Dillon Thieneman is the star back there and is a pre-season All-American. He’s a hard hitter with a nose for the football. Will Heldt is another guy to keep an eye on.

I think shutting down Leonard and Notre Dame isn’t likely, but slowing them down is possible. But no, I don’t imagine by this time next week Purdue will be number 1 in defense.

5. FAN QUESTION:

Andrew Ledman, Hammer and Rails: To paraphrase Bain, “you merely adopted the pain and suffering, I was born in it.”

Notre Dame fans don’t know true pain and suffering. Comparing the pain of Notre Dame fans to Purdue football fans’ pain is not a fair comparison.

6. FAN QUESTIONS About Purdue’s Similarity to Northern Illinois and Defensive Strategy

a. FAN QUESTION:

b. FAN QUESTION:

Andrew Ledman, Hammer and Rails: I believe the game plan is to play a full 11 on defense, offense, and special teams. I know Notre Dame has had issues with that in the recent past.

c. FAN QUESTION:

Andrew Ledman, Hammer and Rails: I think overall the game plan is to stop Notre Dame from getting the ball across the goal line. Sometimes you just don’t need to overcomplicate things.

7. FAN QUESTIONS About The Drum

a. FAN QUESTION:

Andrew Ledman, Hammer and Rails: Why is your drum so small?

b. FAN QUESTION:

Andrew Ledman, Hammer and Rails: Where did you hear this information?

Sounds like maybe something you’d see on the dark web. The World’s Largest Drum is right there in the name.

8. Ryan Walters looks pretty jacked — who do you think would win in an arm wrestling match between him and Marcus Freeman? Pushup contest? That game at carnivals where you use a big hammer to try to ring the bell?

Andrew Ledman, Hammer and Rails: Give me Walters in a clean sweep.

But honestly, Freeman is the first Notre Dame coach in decades who I don’t despise. It’s a nice change of pace but makes me feel weird things.

9. Alright, let’s get down to it — who wins, what’s the final score, and what’s your reasoning?

Andrew Ledman, Hammer and Rails: I’d love to pick Purdue, but I just think Notre Dame is gonna be pissed and ready to knock some heads in.

I think it’ll be close through 3 quarters but I’ll take ND 35-21. Would love to be wrong.

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Alrighty folks, I want to give a huge thank you and shout-out to Andrew for dealing with our usual mishmash of questions and giving us some humor and light smack talk right back in our direction — these Q&As always go better when we’re all having some fun with it, and God knows we can use some jokes and lightheartedness with how this season has turned.

I implore you all to head over to the Hammer and Rails site to check out all their pregame, during-game, and postgame coverage of Saturday’s matchup — you may even find a Q&A with yours truly where I mostly just complain about the offense and make a bad photoshop of the Leprechaun in the Tiller Tunnel.

Additionally, I highly recommend giving the Hammer and Rails Twitter account a follow, as they’re a funny and informed account who will surely have some interesting notes, reactions, etc. regarding Saturday’s game. You won’t regret it (unless Purdue kicks ND’s ass too, then you just might need to delete your Twitter account to escape the negativity and sadness).

That’s it for this week — I love you guys (felt like you needed to hear that) and per usual, GO IRISH, BEAT BOILERS!