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Purdue Football Coach Jeff Brohm Speaks on 2021 Matchup With Notre Dame

Purdue football is scheduled to finish its 2021 nonconference slate against Notre Dame on Sept. 18. The last time the Boilermakers defeated the Fighting Irish was back in 2007 at Ross-Ade Stadium.
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INDIANAPOLIS — The last time Purdue football took the field to play Notre Dame was during the Shamrock Series in 2014 at Lucas Oil Stadium. 

It was the same venue hosting the 2021 Big Ten Football Media Days, where coach Jeff Brohm expressed the importance of the in-state rivalry coming back this upcoming season. The Boilermakers travel to South Bend, Indiana, to play the Fighting Irish on Sept. 18, concluding the team's three-game nonconference schedule. 

“It’s great to get that game back going," Brohm said. "It’s a great rivalry that they’ve had in the past that really meant a lot to the program and to the fans. I know our fans and players are looking forward to it." 

Notre Dame is coming off an impressive 10-2 season that ended with a trip to the Rose Bowl as a No. 4 seed in the College Football Playoff. The team's only two losses came at the hands of No. 1 Alabama in the CFB Semifinal and No. 3 Clemson during the ACC Championship. 

The Fighting Irish have proven to be a formidable opponent for the Boilermakers in the history of the series. Notre Dame owns a 56-26-2 record over Purdue, which includes a five-game win streak. 

The last time the Boilermakers defeated the Fighting Irish Notre was in 2007 at Ross-Ade Stadium. But the Boilermakers will have to travel to Notre Dame Stadium, in front of about 77,000 fans, in search of an upset. 

"To go to that venue and play a top College Football Playoff team, one of the four, it’s going to be exciting," Brohm said. "Of course we’re going to have to be ready, but those are things you want as a kid when you grow up. You want to play in those types of games, and that’s the great thing about our schedule." 

Purdue is no stranger to earning unfathomable victories, having defeated No. 2 Ohio State back in 2018. But the team is just 5-6 in nonconference games the last four years under Brohm. 

For a team looking to finish the upcoming season with its second winning record since 2011, falling behind in the first three games of the year would be a recipe for disaster. 

"You’re going to get a chance to play great opponents at great venues," Brohm said. "If you want to make a difference and make a name for yourself, let’s work hard to get it done.”

  • PURDUE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE: Purdue's 2021 college football schedule includes nine Big Ten games and three nonconference matchups. The team will travel to South Bend, Indiana, to play Notre Dame for the first time since 2014. CLICK HERE 
  • PURDUE SPEAKS ABOUT OLD OAKEN BUCKET GAME: The Old Oaken Bucket Game between Purdue and Indiana will return during the 2021 season. The Boilermakers will fight to reclaim the Bucket after losing a close game in West Lafayette two seasons ago. CLICK HERE 
  • FROM THE RIVALS' PERSPECTIVE: The Old Oaken Bucket Game between Purdue and Indiana will return during the 2021 season. Here's a look at what the game mean's from the perspective of the Hoosiers' football program. CLICK HERE
  • GEORGE KARLAFTIS HUNGRY FOR RETURN: After his season was cut short due to injury and COVID-19, Purdue defensive end George Karlaftis is excited to get back on the field. He's working hard, doing whatever the team needs to help the program win in 2021. CLICK HERE
  • JEFF BROHM READY TO FACE PRESSURE: For Purdue football, there's going to be pressure to win this upcoming season, but coach Jeff Brohm believes the team is close to returning to winning form. The Boilermakers posted a 2-4 record last year, which included three losses by one score. CLICK HERE
  • BROHM ADDRESSES QUARTERBACK BATTLE: The Purdue football program will head into fall camp with a group of quarterbacks competing for starting job. Coach Jeff Brohm says the team looks to have a starter in mind early on, but he won't hesitate to utilize more than one quarterback this season. CLICK HERE
  • PURDUE FOOTBALL ENCOURAGED TO GET VACCINATED: Coach Jeff Brohm and the Purdue football program are looking to have a 90% vaccination rate by the end of July. While student-athletes are not required to be vaccinated for the fall season, the team continues to urge its players to get the vaccine. CLICK HERE

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