Purdue hoped it could go to Notre Dame and make a statement on a national stage.

It didn’t happen. The Boilermakers were beaten by the Fighting Irish, 27-13. Yet Purdue accomplished a lot during its first 3 games of the season, showing that it might be better than what the preseason experts predicted.

Why?

Outside of conservative calls in the first half of the loss to ND, Jeff Brohm has returned to the freewheeling style that was the hallmark of his first couple of seasons as Purdue’s head coach. And that has translated not only to the offense, for which he calls plays, but to the defense, which has adopted a more aggressive approach with its new staff.

The Boilermakers looked like an improved outfit in finding a way to pull out a victory against Oregon State in Week 1, then blowing the doors off UConn in Week 2. Purdue competed in South Bend, being within a touchdown in the second half. But its offense couldn’t get untracked — and questionable non-calls didn’t help — as the Boilermakers couldn’t score the upset.

Let’s review Purdue through the first quarter of the season:

What have we learned in the first 3 games?

Purdue has a new attitude, one that should serve it well for the rest of the season.

The ridiculous defense last season — Bob Diaco’s bend-but-don’t-break approach — was toxic to what the Boilermakers wanted to be. And now, under co-defensive coordinator Brad Lambert, who calls the plays, Purdue has played much more aggressively. It’s working.

Yes, the approach comes at a risk. While Purdue is getting after the quarterback more frequently, at least in terms of pressures, the Boilermakers have had too big a tendency to give up big plays. Three of them killed Purdue against the Fighting Irish. Yet George Karlaftis’ aggression is infectious, and Purdue is rallying to the ball carrier and putting a better defensive product on the field.

Purdue also has talent on offense. Jack Plummer has played well after winning the starting quarterback job, although he was pulled late, in part, per Brohm, because he was getting beaten around too much. His favorite target, wide receiver David Bell, is an absolute All-Star with an uncanny knack for making impossible catches look routine. But the offensive line, and a sputtering running game, have put a governor on the ceiling of the offense, one that Purdue will need to try to break through if it’s to make any sort of run in the Big Ten West.

Should we revise those preseason expectations?

Definitely.

Purdue would still likely take 6 wins to get back to the postseason after a 2-year absence. But the ceiling for the Boilermakers is elevated now, after most in the preseason would have considered them a .500 team, maybe less.

But following the loss to Notre Dame, which only solidified the notion that Purdue can compete with most on the remainder of its schedule, the Boilermakers return home for their first two games in the Big Ten: vs. Illinois (and the Fighting Illini have been woeful since beating Nebraska in the opener) and Minnesota. While it’s far from a given, the Boilermakers might be able to start their season 4-1. And then Purdue has to navigate its way through the rest of the Big Ten West, with home games vs. Wisconsin, Michigan State and Indiana and road trips to Iowa, Nebraska, Ohio State and Northwestern. If Purdue finishes only 3-4, it could reach 7 wins, which by about any standard would be a victory for the 2021 season.

Who has emerged?

It’s hard to say that Karlaftis has emerged, since he was already on the scene, but the way the junior defensive end has taken over as Purdue’s defensive leader is impressive.

And he’s just so influential. Even on plays he’s not making direct contact with the quarterback — he has only a half sack — he’s affecting the opponent. He seemed to come up with a QB pressure on every big 3rd and 4th down, particularly in the first 2 weeks, and helped to cause an interception in Week 1.

Karlaftis is going to be the best player on the field almost every time he’s out there, and the opponent has to account for him. He has been great, while also opening opportunities for teammates.

Who has disappointed?

It’s the offensive line.

In the spring, Purdue thought it was going to have as many as nine offensive linemen who had previous starting experience. But then injuries hit: Three 3 those players retired (although none were slated to be starters, each had proven to be a quality backup), and 1 is on the roster but sidelined.

And so what was thought to be a strength then is now a weakness. Purdue likes its 5 starters, plus its top backup. And while they’ve not yet meshed — several were in and out of practices during training camp — the thought is that they can gradually improve. Maybe. Purdue’s quarterbacks, mainly Plummer, have been pressured far too often, and the running game can’t get going.

Sure, the injury to Zander Horvath hurts (he’s out at least a month with a broken leg), but the line wasn’t opening many gaps for him or backups King Doerue and Dylan Downing.

They’ll enter November with a 5-3 record

If only they can beat Illinois and Minnesota at home the next 2 weeks, then take 1 from the games at Iowa, vs. Wisconsin and at Nebraska. It seems like a possibility.