Sept. 14, 2000

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The Boilermakers steam into South Bend this Saturday for a Top 25 showdown against a different Notre Dame team then last week. Gary Godsey is the starting quarterback and the defensive line has lost their leader in Grant Irons.

“It is going to be another situation where right up until the game we will be preparing (for Purdue),” Irish head coach Bob Davie said. “But I think we are going to be okay. Our players realize what a challenge this is and it has rallied us.”

Davie went on to say that Notre Dame still has some bumps and bruises that were sustained from last week’s war with Nebraska.

“We are not one hundred percent healthy,” Davie stated. “It is impossible to come out of a game against Nebraska and not have some of those injuries. Brock Williams has a bit of a knee injury and Anthony Denman has a hamstring that is bothering him but I think we will all be able to go ahead and play on Saturday.”

ROBERTS GETS START

With the loss of defensive end Grant Irons for the year, Notre Dame has been looking for the rest of the team to step up. Ryan Roberts, a junior from Lawnside, New Jersey, will be getting the start this week against Purdue.

After the defensive line lost Irons with a separated shoulder, Roberts stepped in against Nebraska. He recorded four tackles, including a sack for a loss of six yards.

“Ryan Roberts is a great story,” Davie stated. “Here is a player that had back surgery after Christmas break and there was a chance that he wouldn’t play football again. But, he built his body back up and he stayed healthy…He played a lot of football against Nebraska and we appreciate him being here.”

PURDUE MORE THEN A BREES

When asked about the tough assignments that come with playing Purdue’s pass heavy offense, Davie said it is quite a challenge.

“We are not only playing against a Heismann trophy candidate,” Davie stated. “We are playing against a scheme that has been very successful. We have got our hands full and I think our players will respond to that challenge.”