Book Writes Chapter 9.0
Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book keeps shining when the lights are the brightest.
The 6-foot, 203-pounder completed just 7-of-15 passes for 107 in the first half, but the California native turned on it in the second half by completing 15-of-19 for 236 yards, two touchdowns and streaking 23 yards down the sideline to put Northwestern away.
“I had one guy to read, and I was able to get a nice pull read,” recalled Book. “Cole (Kmet) did a good job, and I don’t think he even had to block anyone. It was a great feeling.”
The score came with the Irish hanging on to a 24-21 lead and capped a 10-play, 89-yard drive which took 4:14 off the clock. It was a crucial drive as the Wildcats had just scored two touchdowns and had momentum.
“It was huge to give our defense a break,” Book said of the game-clinching drive. “They have played well for us all year. We needed to do that as an offense. I think everyone did their part and we needed all 11 guys doing the right thing.”
Book is making a habit of turning in big-time second-half performances as he has completed 68-of-88 passes for 885 yards, 11 touchdowns and two interceptions in quarters three and four in his six starts.
The junior quarterback gave credit to the offensive staff for making adjustments at halftime to allow easy throws to Notre Dame’s explosive receiving corps.
“The coaches had a great plan once we talked at halftime,” explained Book. “We were playing the way we had been playing. There wasn’t any superhuman effort. I was doing what I’m coached to do and got the ball to our playmakers.
“We definitely wanted to put the ball on the perimeter to our playmakers. We also wanted to take some shots. We were able to hit some of those, and it helped our offense.”
Receiver Miles Boykin has turned into Notre Dame’s top receiver, but it was Chase Claypool’s turn to step up in Evanston. The junior receiver caught eight balls for 130 yards, including a 31-yard reception to get the Irish offense off its own goal line.
“Chase did awesome,” stated Book. “It was really good to see because I know how hard he works at practice. He was due for a big night. He can make every catch that is out there.”
Boykin also came up big as he snagged a dime from Book in the corner of the end zone to put the Irish up 14-7 in the third quarter.
“To see Miles get a little separation, you know he’s going to go make the play,” Book said. “It worked out perfectly. I know Miles will make those plays.”
With the win, Notre Dame moves to 9-0, and the attention now turns to Senior Day at Notre Dame Stadium.
“It’s a pretty awesome feeling,” Book said of the 9-0 record. “It’s hard to win in November. We’re in a good situation, and we know that. This team does a good job of focusing one week at a time. Everyone is excited, but everyone is ready for Florida State.”
The Irish were in a spot very close to this last year and failed to get the job done. Book’s job is to lead Notre Dame to the promised land, and it starts with the ability to not dwell on mistakes.
“It’s really hard to win in November,” said Book. “Two weeks in a row, we started off on the wrong foot. It sucks a little bit and takes some momentum away. This team does such a good job of forgetting about what happened, moving on and having the next play mentality.”