Boykin Pleased With Win But Knows Standard Is Higher

Notre Dame’s offense was held to season-low 19 points on Saturday, but the Irish escaped an upset bid by Pitt to move to 7-0 on the year. 

Senior receiver Miles Boykin got loose on a post in the fourth quarter, and quarterback Ian Book found him for the game-winning 35-yard score. 

“It was a simple post route,” stated Boykin. “He was playing press. I don’t know if they were bringing pressure, but Ian had time to throw it up there. I had to go make a play.

“I didn’t even see him throw it. I just saw the ball in the air, and I knew I had to catch up to it. He was kind of holding me too. I had to get through it and make a play. It was a dime.”

The touchdown pass capped a big second half from Book as he completed 13-of-14 passes for 158 yards and two touchdowns. 

The Notre Dame offense and Boykin have come to expect those types of plays from Book as he has gained the respect from everyone on the team.

“It was huge,” said Boykin. “That’s the type of player Ian is. He’s a baller. He’s going to come out and give everything he has. He’s always calm and poised. You never see him throw his helmet or yell at a receiver. He goes out and does his job to the best of his ability.”

Boykin finished the day with four catches for 84 yards and the touchdown, but Pitt’s defense challenged the 6-foot-4, 228-pounder and the other receivers all day. 

“They were playing a lot of press,” explained Boykin. “They were really just bringing pressure. There were a lot of times we were open down the field, but the pressure was getting to Ian. There’s nothing you can do about that as a receiver but hope the pressure doesn’t get there.” 

Notre Dame’s offense did struggle at times as turnovers hurt a few drives as well as the inability to finish drives. Boykin wasn’t hanging his head and made sure the rest of the offense kept moving forward despite the lack of success. 

“We were moving the ball,” explained Boykin. “It was just one play here and there that ruined it for us. We knew we weren’t going to have many possessions because of how Pitt plays. We were trying to stay positive and do our job as receivers. There are a lot of things we can’t control in the game, so we were trying to do our job.” 

Boykin admitted the locker room wasn’t overly happy following the win as a standard has been set within the program.

“It’s not where it should be after a game like this,” Boykin said of the mood after the game. “A win is a win, but this team and our standard isn’t to go out and win a game like that. We understand it happens, and Pitt played us great, but we want to dominate every opponent we play.” 

The Irish will now head into the bye week, and Boykin feels it couldn’t come at a better time. 

“Just to get our bodies and minds right,” said Boykin. “We can reset. It’s a big week for us in terms of midterms. We’re mentally tired and physically tired. It’s a good time to reset.”