Notre Dame Names Ian Book Starting Quarterback

Notre Dame will make a change at quarterback for Saturday’s game at Wake Forest. 

Ian Book will get the start over Brandon Wimbush, who led the Irish to a 3-0 record to start the season. 

Book will look to make it a 2-0 start as a starter at Notre Dame. The junior quarterback started one game a season ago at North Carolina where the Irish won 33-10. 

As with any first-time starter, Book was up and down against the Tar Heels and finished his day going 17-for-31 for 146 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. 

In the Citrus Bowl, Book replaced Wimbush and led the Irish to a 21-17 victory. Book went 14-for-19 for 164 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. 

Notre Dame center and captain Sam Mustipher knows a change is significant but knows the offense won’t be affected by whoever is the quarterback. 

“It’s a privilege,” Mustipher said of Wimbush and Book being able to start. “Those guys work hard, and they want to do everything right. They are under a lot of pressure at a place like Notre Dame, and they handle it the best they can. They feed off each other and support each other. I’m sure at other places guys aren’t on the same page, and that’s something they take pride in because they understand how difficult it is.” 

Wimbush is more of the true dual-threat quarterback, but Book’s ability to run has to be accounted for. Part of Mustipher’s confidence in both quarterbacks comes from the ability to make big plays. 

“Ian and Brandon are both calm, cool and collected guys,” explained Mustipher. “They have a confidence about them. I think that’s what makes this offense so special. We have two guys that can step in and we have the same level of confidence in the whoever is behind us. It’s just special for this offense to have two weapons like that.”

Mustipher admitted he wasn’t quite sure how Book’s leadership differed from Wimbush as the California native hasn’t had enough of an opportunity to truly step in the spotlight, but Book definitely knows the offensive line will be there to help any way they can on Saturday. 

“I don’t really know,” Mustipher said of the differences in leadership. “They have a trust and understanding, and the identity of this offensive line has built that. They defer some leadership to us, and it’s a line of communication between ourselves and the quarterback to check protections and plays.

“It’s just a different guy back there. He has the same focus and energy. He brings the same attention to detail that Brandon does.”