Notre Dame football made a strong comeback from their surprising Week 2 loss to Northern Illinois by crushing Purdue 66-7 on the road, demonstrating a return to the form they showed in their Week 1 victory over Texas A&M.
However, the win came with a significant cost. The Fighting Irish lost three starters to injuries during the game: defensive end Jordan Botelho, center Ashton Craig, and guard Billy Schrauth. According to Marcus Freeman, the team’s head coach, Botelho and Craig are out for the season, while Schrauth is expected to be sidelined for a few weeks.
Schrauth’s injury, an ankle issue, is somewhat less severe than initially feared, given he was seen on crutches and in a walking boot after the game. Craig, who had been playing every snap this season, suffered a knee injury, and Botelho, one of Notre Dame’s most seasoned defenders, also went down with a knee injury. Botelho had a standout performance in the season opener against Texas A&M and had four sacks last season.
In response to these injuries, offensive linemen Rocco Spindler and Pat Coogan will step into the starting lineup. Both players have previous experience as starters for the Irish, which should help mitigate the impact of the losses.
Despite the dominant win over Purdue, questions remain about whether Notre Dame is fully back on track. The team’s performance against Purdue, though impressive, does not provide a complete gauge of their strength. Their upcoming game against Miami (OH) might not offer much additional insight, but the matchup against No. 19 Louisville on September 28 could be a significant test. A strong performance against Louisville would help dispel concerns about the Northern Illinois loss, while a poor showing might raise questions about the team’s true potential.
