PURDUKE

Finally, a play call any Notre Dame observer can get behind. The Irish, facing 4th-and-5 at their own 37, go for it. Sharpley throws the bomb to Golden Tate, who for the third time in his nascent career is covered like a glove and for the third time makes the catch.

This for a 43-yard gain.

Golden Tate: The new Derrick Mayes. And the best receiver named Golden since the Dallas Cowboys' Golden Richards.

With Sharpley passing, ahem...sharply, the Irish went on a vintage Charlie Weis scoring drive. Plenty of passing and run when we must. Suddenly the O-line is doing its job, the drops are shorter, the routes are crisper, and the chains are moving. Sharpley hit Duval Kamara in the end zone for a 6-yard TD pass, Kamara's first college TD reception (memo to David Grimes: You're now 2nd string).

And only a miserable wretch would flag these Irish for excessive celebration.

Walker again missed the PAT, which is execrable. Kickers and holders don't have that much to do, after all.

Anyway, it's 26-12, Purdue, with 12:38 left. This one's not over. The Irish could use a turnover, but the Boilermakers, who looked so efficient in the first quarter, haven't played with any offensive spark in the second half. Maybe Corwin Brown made some good adjustments. Regardless, it's a different Irish team this half.