Notre Dame Football: Top 10 Wins Of The Brian Kelly Era

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SOUTH BEND, IN – SEPTEMBER 04: Armando Allen Jr. #5 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish eludes Logan Link #35 of the Purdue Boilermakers at Notre Dame Stadium on September 4, 2010 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Purdue 23-12. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

No.10: Purdue, 2010

Starting off the list, we have to go back to where it all started. Kelly’s first game with Notre Dame was everything the program needed at the time. With Charlie Weis gone after only 16 wins in his last three seasons with the Irish, Notre Dame was ready for a breath of fresh air.

After finding success at every level he coached at, Kelly was the one Notre Dame fans were hoping would “wake up the echoes”. The first test came on September 5th, 2010.

In-state rival Purdue had just as many questions about the Notre Dame team that they were going to face as Irish fans had about their own program.

Not only were the Irish led by a new coach, but an inexperienced quarterback as well. Dayne Crist came into the game throwing just 20 passes the previous year, but the ball was in his hands to start off the season.

Crist answered the call. With 81,000 fans believing in what Kelly had in store for Notre Dame, the atmosphere pushed Crist to throw for 205 yards and a touchdown in his first start.

With some big runs from Armando Allen, the Irish looked solid in leading 20-3 after three quarters.

The 4th quarter was when Purdue’s Robert Marve shined for just a moment. With his rushing touchdown at the beginning of the fourth quarter, Purdue cut the lead to 20-12. But, on his way, Marve was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct after diving into the end zone — ultimately costing the Boilermakers field position.

Tacking on a field goal with 4:30 left, Notre Dame secured the first win of the Kelly Era, 23-12.

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