Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/383512
INDIANAPOLIS — Purdue didn't beat Notre Dame Saturday night, didn't even come close actually. But there were those moments, those fleeting instances where it looked like maybe, just maybe, it was within the realm of possibility that it could. Maybe. Or not. Anyway, there were glimpses of competitiveness, which is all a lot of reason- able people hoped to see from a four-touch- down 'dog playing the role. Buoyed by a safe, Danny Etling-friendly game plan, Purdue's quarterback play was good enough to win with, for 30 minutes anyway. Is the position solidified beyond a shad- ow of a doubt now? It's hard to say that after a difficult final 30 minutes, but the first 30 min- utes at least showed Etling is capable. Wide receivers made plays, not every play, but some, more than they did in their window-dressing roles of Games 1 and 2. The offensive line didn't get embarrassed by a terrific front sprinkled with future pros. The defense looked more physical, which is to say it looked physical at all. Its front was active in the backfield — of- ten for naught, but active nonetheless — and its defensive backs aggressive to the ball, of- ten owning their space when the ball came their way. Purdue's defense asserted pressure, both in its front end and back end. There were moments where the Boilermakers looked like the aggres- sor, an uncommon sight lately. But we're still just talking about moments here. They need to become more. Maybe these moments were the first signs of a pulse for a program looking to come back to life. Or, as recent history at Purdue would suggest, they were nothing, just flashes that would immediately evaporate into the air, only to re-appear every now and then, just enough to needle and confound frustrated onlookers and coaches alike. That's been the Boilermakers' M.O. for years now: Maddening inconsistency when things seem to be on the upswing. Darrell Hazell's team led No. 11 Notre Dame late in the first half in Lucas Oil Stadium, site of the Irish program's made-for-TV "Sham- rock Series" infomercial, earning Purdue a rare- lately dose of positive national notice. The second-half buzz-kill that followed — turnover-prone Purdue didn't score after halftime, though it didn't necessarily play entirely poorly — served simply as reality set- ting back in. But there were still those moments, serv- ing as some reason to think maybe better, more-competitive days are ahead. To say they absolutely are, however, would be short-sighted and totally blind to Purdue's history. Last year, it almost didn't lose to Notre Dame in Ross-Ade Stadium. Momentum, we said. Progress! Yeah … The Boilermakers didn't win a game the rest of the year. One of its games from there on out could be described as "competitive." None could be described as "interesting." I would not expect the same sort of blood-letting to follow this 30-14 loss. But until proven otherwise, I wouldn't write off the possibility either. Given its track record, Purdue is still on the clock to give people reason to not expect the worst. Last year, Purdue stood toe to toe with Notre Dame, giving the illusion of a team on the uptick. Then the bottom fell out and the Boilermakers bottomed out violently. Saturday, Purdue again stood toe to toe with Notre Dame, giving the illusion of a team on the uptick. Now what? j Neubert can be contacted at BNeubert@GoldandBlack.com F R O M E D I T O R B R I A N N E U B E R T A Step Forward GOLDANDBLACK EXPRESS • VOLUME 25, EXPRESS 4 • 5