The 1964 season marked the dawn of the Ara Parseghian era, and with it, a new sense of hope and discipline for Notre Dame football. Coming off a thrilling win over Wisconsin, the Irish faced a fierce test in their home opener against Purdue, a team led by rising star Bob Griese. What unfolded in South Bend on October 3 wasn’t just a hard-fought game—it was an early glimpse of the grit, resilience, and opportunism that would define Parseghian’s first year at the helm. For me, this team holds a special
place in my heart: my dad was a senior in 1964, and he counted Jack Snow and John Huarte as friends—two legends I’ve been lucky enough to meet myself. That personal tie makes revisiting this season especially nostalgic.
The following excerpt, written by Mike Bradley, appeared in the The Notre Dame Scholastic (1964 Football Review, Vol. 106, No. 8) on December 4th, 1964.
Breaks Beat Boilermakers
NOTRE DAME, INDIANA, October 3 — Riding high after a surprising opening game victory over Wisconsin, the Irish were quickly brought back to earth midway through the first quarter by a determined, hard-hitting Purdue team. Marching 75 yards in twelve plays, the Boilermakers drew first blood in very convincing fashion. Largely responsible for their initial success was Bob Griese, a newcomer to the long list of outstanding Purdue quarterbacks, who accounted for 57 yards and the touchdown on a quarterback sneak.
The Irish countered with the end sweeps of Nick Eddy and drove down to the Purdue 3-yard line. Here the attack stalled and Ken Ivan’s field goal attempt was blocked. After an exchange of punts, John Huarte split the Purdue secondary with two over-the-middle passes to Jack Snow, again moving the ball to the 3-yard line. This time Bill Wolski ended the frustration, smashing into the end zone to tie the score.
Later in the second quarter, Tom Longo picked up his second interception of the day at the Purdue 47. Seven plays later Huarte flipped a two-yard scoring pass to Jack Snow and the Irish took a 14-7 lead into the locker room at the half.
Twice in the first half the defensive line came within a hand’s reach of blocking a Purdue punt. Early in the third period, after both teams had sputtered on offense, Purdue again was forced into a punting situation. This time they never had a chance. Kevin Hardy and Alan Page, two pro-sized linemen, crashed into the Purdue secondary, almost before the punter had the ball. It caromed off Hardy’s chest into the eager hands of Page who wasted little time rambling 57 yards into the end zone untouched.
Any hopes for a Purdue comeback were crushed on the next series of downs as the inspired defensive unit again forced the Boilermakers to punt. Starting on their own 24, the steady running of Wolski, Eddy, and Farrell drove the Irish deep into Purdue territory. Pete Andreotti then took a pitchout at the 23-yard line, slipped through four Purdue defenders, and dashed into the end zone. Ken Ivan’s fourth straight placement made the score 28-7.
After two Griese to Hadrick completions, Tony Carey stepped in and recorded the third Irish steal of the day, returning it 28 yards to the Notre Dame 40. A penalty pushed the Irish back to the 27-yard line. On third down and long yardage, Jack Snow boomed a quick kick 70 yards to the Purdue 3 where a Purdue blocker accidentally touched the ball. Phil Sheridan recovered it. Two plays later, Huarte tossed a quick pass to Nick Rassas for Notre Dame’s fifth score of the afternoon. Ivan’s kick hit the upright.
Purdue scored in the final minutes against the second unit making the final score 34-15. By then little remained of their once-potent offense. Led by Jim Carroll’s 21 tackles, the Irish defensive unit forced many of the breaks which the offense capitalized on. Three interceptions, a blocked punt and a quick kick recovery separated two otherwise evenly matched teams.
When the final whistle blew, Notre Dame had not only defeated Purdue 34–15, but also shown flashes of the championship-caliber team they were becoming. Behind John Huarte’s pinpoint passing, Jack Snow’s reliable hands, and a relentless defense led by Jim Carroll, Kevin Hardy, and Alan Page, the Irish turned breaks into points and momentum into victory. Looking back, this game is more than just a win over the Boilermakers—it’s part of the story of one of my favorite Notre Dame teams. With my dad walking campus as a senior, and friendships that connected him to Snow and Huarte, the memories of 1964 echo even louder for me. It’s a season that reminds us not just of Notre Dame’s return to prominence, but of the personal threads that bind us to its history.
Cheers & GO IRISH!
