Boilers fall short in South Bend

West Lafayette, Ind. (WLFI) - A slow start contributed to a Notre Dame 20-3 lead after three quarters before Purdue rallied behind transfer quarterback Robert Marve, who got the Boilermakers back in the game with a 23-yard TD run early in the 4th quarter.

Purdue kept it a one possession game until David Ruffer kicked one of his three field goals, a 37 yarder with 4:30 left to restore the lead to 11. Keith Smith had another great day on the National stage, catching 12 passes for 80 yards. Meanwhile Robert Marve had mixed results in his debut with the Boilermakers, completing 31 of 42 passes for 220 yards and 2 interceptions. Dan Dierking led the way on the ground carrying the ball 9 times for 56 yards.