Notre Dame had to wait much longer than expected for its first win of the 2025 football season -- including a one-hour, 54-minute weather delay, thanks to 59 lightning strikes within a 10-mile radius of Notre Dame stadium -- but the Irish broke through at last with a 56-30 win over Purdue on Saturday.

Running backs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price combined for five rushing touchdowns, and C.J. Carr was nearly flawless through the air for his first win as Notre Dame's starting quarterback, while the maligned Irish defense tightened up after a 23-point first half.

Below, takeaways from a win the Irish hope can get their season back on track.

For all the attention on quarterback CJ Carr, Notre Dame's two most talented players on offense don't throw the football. Saturday afternoon (and night) were reminders of that for all parties.

Jeremiyah Love finished with 19 carries for 157 yards and two touchdowns. Jadarian Price added nine carries for 74 yards and three touchdowns, plus a 100-yard kickoff return touchdown. It was a spectacular output -- 30 touches, 373 yards, six scores -- that Notre Dame needed at Miami but couldn't find, then tried to force but didn't quite create against Texas A&M.

The backs' performance was so dominant that Notre Dame Stadium's sound system had almost overplayed the tracks for Love and Price highlights by the third quarter; Love's big plays are followed by Frank Sinatra during home games, and Price's highlights get the "Price Is Right" theme song. Whatever the musical accompaniment, it's clear that wherever this season can still go for the Irish, Love and Price will take it there, with Carr complementing those backs.

Carr finished 10 of 12 for 223 yards and two touchdowns, a 66-yarder to Malachi Fields to open the game and a 48-yard score to Jordan Faison that removed any doubt during a decisive third quarter after the Irish led by just 12 at the half.

As impressive as the gaudy numbers of Love and Price were the efficiency with which they were delivered. Both backs kept Notre Dame ahead of the chains all game with 24 of their combined 28 rushing attempts considered efficient rushes (40 percent of the necessary yards on first down, 60 percent on second and 100 percent on third or fourth). Some of that production was down to the offensive line finding its footing, but most came down to the elite talent of both backs.

To understand the desperation within Notre Dame's defense, consider the Irish chose to start two freshmen cornerbacks for the first time, while changing positions for the one veteran in the group. Christian Gray moved from the field corner spot to the boundary, replacing the injured Leonard Moore (ankle). Mark Zackery filled Gray's old role. Dallas Golden started at nickel after not seeing the the field against Miami or Texas A&M.

The results? To see improvement requires at least some squinting.

Purdue's 23 points in the first half included a 75-yard touchdown drive that required just 53 seconds of game clock just before halftime. Boilermakers quarterback Ryan Browne found holes in the Irish zone, at least when he was able to stay standing. Notre Dame's biggest defensive jump might have come from its ability to get pressure. The two official sacks of Browne didn't represent the duress the quarterback felt most of the game.

After getting picked apart by Texas A&M and bullied by Miami, the defense's performance against one of the Big Ten's doormats should have been better. Statistically, there was improvement, at least on the ground: Running back Devin Mockobee finished with 12 carries for just 16 yards. Purdue was shut out in the third quarter and didn't score again under Notre Dame had emptied the bench.

Still, this was hardly a vintage defensive performance for Notre Dame under embattled coordinator Chris Ash. Freeman said during the week that he'd get more involved with the defense if he felt it was necessary. It was hard to leave Notre Dame Stadium and think Freeman's fingerprints aren't essential for the Irish season to salvage some of its potential.

Notre Dame cruises past Purdue to lower temperature (a little) on slow start to 2025