Quick Hits: Notre Dame 20, Purdue 17

Everett Golson barely held on to the ball long enough to score Notre Dame's first touchdown. (US Presswire)

NOTRE DAME WON: Tommy Rees may have lost the starting job over the summer, and he may not have been allowed to make the trip to Ireland last week, but when Notre Dame needed him he was there. Rees came into the game with just more than two minutes left and the score tied 17-17. He was only 3 for 8 on the drive, but he led Notre Dame downfield to set up the game-winning field goal with seven seconds left.

Of course, starter Everett Golson had a lot to do with putting the Irish in position in the first place. He finished the day 21 or 31 with 289 yards passing and a touchdown. Then there was an Irish defense that held Purdue to only 288 total yards of offense, including only 198 passing. A remarkable feat considering the lack of experience in the Notre Dame secondary.

HOW NOTRE DAME WON: Well, in typical Notre Dame fashion, the Irish tried to give this one away. Notre Dame led 17-10 in the fourth quarter and had kept the Boilermakers offense in check before Golson fumbled in Notre Dame territory. Purdue then scored a touchdown on a fourth-and-10 play when Caleb TerBush hit Antavian Edison for the tying touchdown.

However, if not for the turnover, it's hard to imagine Purdue being able to drive for the touchdown on its own. Although Rees led the game-winning drive, it was the Notre Dame defense that made sure it was possible.

WHEN NOTRE DAME WON: It wasn't until Purdue's Hail Mary attempt in the final seconds came down in the arms of Notre Dame's Bennett Jackson that this one became official.

WHAT NOTRE DAME WON: While it's nice to beat a rival, it's nicer to be 2-0 for the first time since 2008. But life will only get tougher from here with games against Michigan State and Michigan the next two weeks.

WHAT PURDUE LOST: The Boilermakers lost to Notre Dame for the fifth consecutive season, but they have gained a quarterback controversy of sorts. At some point, Danny Hope must make a decision between TerBush and Robert Marve. Switching both quarterbacks up during this game kept Purdue from ever finding a rythmn on offense.