Notre Dame Football vs. Purdue: 3 things we learned in Week 2

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SOUTH BEND, IN – SEPTEMBER 11: Head coach Brian Kelly of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish is seen before the game against the Toledo Rockets at Notre Dame Stadium on September 11, 2021, in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Notre Dame Football vs. Purdue: 3 things we learned in Week 2

Brian Kelly’s Legacy Will Always Be Underappreciated

You may have heard that with a win against Purdue, Brian Kelly tied Knute Rockne at 105 wins all-time at Notre Dame. He will soon pass Rockne and hold the record by himself. Kelly did this in a completely different era from Rockne, an era where it is undeniably harder to win.

Kelly isn’t playing schools like Case, Wabash, or Kalamazoo. Rockne didn’t face issues like scholarship limits or a changing landscape to the amateur model.

Now, none of that is to say that Rockne doesn’t deserve his legendary status. After all, he built Notre Dame into a national power with footholds around the country. He made the Irish a media darling. It’s just to say that the game has changed and things are more difficult now.

Take winning a National Championship. When the voters decided, you didn’t even need to go play a bowl game. If you did, it was rarely, if ever, a one vs two matchup. Kelly would have won a National Championship in 2012 if this were the case, as they were unbeaten and would have played someone like Kansas State in the Fiesta Bowl, not Alabama.

So, yes, that lack of a championship might haunt Kelly, but his legacy should be secured. He brought this team from irrelevance to where they are now. Look at Nebraska, Tennessee, or any of the other formerly great programs. That could be Notre Dame today if not for Kelly. 105 wins is remarkable, and likely won’t be matched for another 100 years of Notre Dame football.

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 01: Head coach Brian Kelly and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football players run on the field during player introductions before the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Rose Bowl football game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at AT&T Stadium on January 01, 2021 in Arlington, Texas. The Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 31-14. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)

Notre Dame football: 5 Irish who won’t be underrated for long

Notre Dame football is always going to be known for its All-Americans and NFL Draft prospects, but there are also a bevy of underrated players too.

So complain about minor gameplan issues or a recruiting miss. Roll your eyes at how he speaks to the media. Cry about that big game that keeps avoiding Kelly. Then, build him a statue. Brian Kelly deserves it.

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