SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) - Purdue coach Danny Hope knows what a victory against Notre Dame would mean for his program. It would be much more than just a 2-0 start for the first time in five years.

Hope says a win against the Irish would be a confidence builder for both the team and fan base, and show that his team has the toughness needed to win at a venue like Notre Dame Stadium.

Both teams are coming off easy wins. The Boilermakers routed Eastern Kentucky 48-6 and the Irish hammered Navy, 50-10. Purdue's last 2-0 start was 2007 and Notre Dame's came in 2008.