Next Irish worry: Purdue's Painter
As if being 0-4 isn't bad enough, Notre Dame has yet to go against a truly elite quarterback this season.
None of the four starting signalcallers the Fighting Irish have faced -- Georgia Tech's Taylor Bennett, Penn State's Anthony Morelli, Michigan's Ryan Mallett and Michigan State's Brian Hoyer -- rank in the top 40 nationally in passing yards, passing efficiency, total offense or completions per game.
But when the Fighting Irish scan the passing charts in preparation for Saturday's game at Purdue (11 a.m., ESPN), they will see one name appear over and over.
• Curtis Painter, 322½ passing yards per game, first in Big Ten, 11th nationally
• Curtis Painter, 16 touchdown passes, first in Big Ten, second nationally
• Curtis Painter, 28½ completions per game, first in Big Ten, eighth nationally
• Curtis Painter, 164.6 passer rating, second in Big Ten, 15th nationally.
Painter has thrown only 1 interception and been sacked just twice this season. He threw for 398 yards and 2 touchdowns in a loss last year at Notre Dame.
"The difference is the experience, which he now has," said Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis. "Anytime you look at a guy who's got a 16-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio, that's a scary thought."
Purdue coach Joe Tiller said a redshirt year in 2004 helped Painter's evolution. Previous Boilermakers quarterbacks Drew Brees and Kyle Orton played as true freshmen, but Tiller knew Painter needed a season to develop.
"His decision-making has been infinitely improved over a year ago," Tiller said. "He's playing with more confidence, which is natural in his second year as a full-time starter."
Sutton update: Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald said Tuesday that starting running back Tyrell Sutton has a high ankle sprain, an injury that could keep the junior sidelined for some time. Sutton, who has missed the last two games, visited an ankle specialist Monday.
He had flu-like symptoms Tuesday morning and sat out practice, but Fitzgerald expected Sutton to do his normal rehabilitation in the afternoon.
"When you start dealing with those ankles, it could go from two weeks until who knows?" Fitzgerald said.
Trick or treat: The fumblerooskie Michigan State successfully executed for a touchdown against Notre Dame on Saturday was in the team's playbook before Mark Dantonio became head coach. But Dantonio didn't hesitate to approve the trick play, especially after his team practiced it 30-50 times.
"It was the right time, the right place, and it worked," Dantonio said.
Henton suspended: Ohio State third-string quarterback Antonio Henton has been suspended indefinitely following his arrest Monday night on a misdemeanor charge of soliciting a prostitute. Henton, who played most of the second half in Saturday's win over Northwestern, won't travel with the team to Minnesota this weekend.
"He's a great player," Buckeyes starting quarterback Todd Boeckman told reporters. "He has great character. It's tough for me to see him do something like this."
He said it: Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz, on playing more Big Ten night games this season: "It probably affects coaches more than players because players are used to being up late and we're not. We're all old."
Big Ten bits: Iowa wide receiver Andy Brodell likely will miss the rest of the season with a torn hamstring. Hawkeyes tight end Tony Moeaki, a Wheaton-Warrenville South product, will miss several weeks with a dislocated left elbow and a broken bone in his left hand. … Northwestern defensive end Corey Wootton missed practice Tuesday with a hip flexor but is expected to return today and play against Michigan. … Michigan State defensive end Jonal Saint-Dic is tied for second nationally in sacks (6) and tied for fourth in tackles for loss (8).