Tag: Ian Book

Notre Dame 24 USC 17 – Recap and Highlights

Irish Editor November 25, 2018 2018 Games Tagged Dexter Williams, Ian Book, Notre Dame vs USC

Almost splat face down, but ND roused themselves just enough to edge USC. They were even generous to let them score in the last minute.

I don’t know what the ND DC was trying to do – just sit back and admire USC’s freshman QB throw for 349 yards and 1 TD.

Meanwhile the ND OL was atrocious. We ran for only 129 yards and that included a 52 yd TD run by Dexter Williams. When they weren’t run blocking they weren’t pass blocking either.

Book was constantly harassed and only completed 52% of his passes. He ended with 22/39 for 352 yards.

A point here – this is a different Book than before he got hurt. He’s missing guys that were wide open and doing erratic things like trying to squeeze passes to guys that had 3 USC defenders around them. One pick was in the end zone. He badly needs a rest to get his mojo back and perhaps heal up from his previous injury.

12-0 sure sound terrific, but I don’t see how this OL can handle anyone in the top 5. They are going to need an extraordinary playbook for whoever – a totally outside the box group of plays.

Now they get to play in the top 4. God help them.

Here are the game highlights:

Here is the Brian Kelly post game press conference:

Notre Dame 36 Syracuse 3 – Highlights and Recap

Irish Editor November 18, 2018 2018 Games Tagged Ian Book, Notre Dame vs Syracuse

Notre Dame strolled into Yankee Stadium and completely dismantled #12 Syracuse. Actually, ND left a lot of points off the scoreboard – I’d say minimum 14.

Granted that Cuse lost their starting QB early in the game to a back injury, but he was not a factor when he was playing.

The ND defense was smothering, bouncing the Syracuse QB all over and sub Kurt Hinish NG recorded his first sack. Alohi Gilman had 2 picks while Jalen Elliott also grabbed one.

When ND stopped fooling around Ian Book took to the air went 23/37 292 yards, 2 TD’s and 1 Pick. Once again he distributed the ball so that everyone got into the act.

ND rushed for 171 yards, but Wimbush 44 and Williams 74 – long of 32 yards was most of it. ND really has to do a better job run blocking.

How far this team goes will depend on the Defense and Book’s arm.

Enjoy the highlights:

Here is the Brian Kelly post game press conference:

Next Game: ND vs USC

Notre Dame vs Syracuse Predictions – NYC 2:30 PM EST NBC

Irish Editor November 16, 2018 2018 Games, Predictions Tagged Dexter Williams, Ian Book, Notre Dame vs Syracuse

Syracuse strategy is pretty simple – play fast, keep the ball and score 40 points. In other words just hit 40 and you will win out.

Syracuse is ranked 12 with an 8-2 record losing only to Clemson 27-23 and Pitt 42-37. They should have won the Clemson game. They do have an all around good team and a dual threat QB Eric Dungy who likes to roll out and pass and or run. He’s completing 52% of his passes with 14 TD’s and 5 Picks.

So the strategy for ND should be to hammer this guy every play and keep him in the pocket. In all likelihood ND will spy him.

For ND they get Ian Book back and NYC is a great place for Dexter Williams to put on a show. To all the ND players hoping for a shot at the Pros this is a damn good stage.

I look for Syracuse to hang with ND through the 1st quarter after which ND will demolish them.

Notre Dame 45 Syracuse 24

Here is the Brian Kelly pre game press conference:

Notre Dame 42 Florida State 13 – Recap and Highlights

Irish Editor November 11, 2018 2018 Games Tagged Brandon Wimbush, Dexter Williams, Ian Book, Notre Dame vs Florida State

Green Jerseys and 27 degrees trampled Florida State. In a game that was over by the half 32-6, FSU just literally froze both mentally and physically.

Notre Dame ran 50 times for 365 yards helped by Tommy Kraemer starting at RG. Once again Dexter Williams put on a show. He accounted for 202 yards and 2 TD’s – including runs of 58 and 32 yards.

Wimbush replaced an injured Book for this game went 12/26 130 yards and 2 TD’s He also threw back to back interceptions and ND just ran every down after that.

The run attack for ND went right after the strength of FSU their DL. I was surprised that FSU is that bad a team. They have the playmakers and I believe their coach is gone if they don’t end up 6-6. Maybe even if they do.

Much harder task awaits ND vs Syracuse.

Check out the game highlights:

Here is the Brian Kelly post game press conference:

Next Game: ND vs Syracuse

Notre Dame vs Florida State Predictions

Irish Editor November 9, 2018 2018 Games, Predictions Tagged Brandon Wimbush, Ian Book, Notre Dame vs Florida State

ND vs FSU predictions — ND vs FSU Predictions

Without Ian Book ND loses basically half its offense. With Wimbush ND was averaging about 24 points. It will be Senior Day and it looks like ND will wear green Jerseys. With bad and cold weather this could all add up to disaster.

Look, Florida State is lousy this year 4-5 but they are loaded, as usual, with 4-5 Star players. You can run against their DL, but make no mistake these guys are big dudes.

What compounds ND rush game is their interior line – center and both guards are under performing. Florida State’s problem is not the players, but the coaching staff – how the hell can they be 4-5?

FSU just quit the last 2 weeks losing to Clemson 59-10 followed by a thumping by NC Stare 47-28. So ND would have also blown them out with a healthy Ian Book. Now we don’t know what we get with Wimbush – he can be awful in the passing game.

This will be closer than expected, but ND edges out the win.

Notre Dame 27 FSU 21

Here is the Brian Kelly pre game press conference:

Notre Dame 31 Northwestern 21 – Recap and Highlights

Irish Editor November 4, 2018 2018 Games Tagged Ian Book, Notre Dame vs Northwestern

Notre Dame sleepwalked through the first half which ended 7-7. I’m becoming more disenchanted with the play calling as well as the OL’s inability to run block.

It’s incredible when you have a runner like Williams. He only went 19/56 – gotta fix that. Book matched that rushing yardage.

QB Ian Book took over the 2nd half with a display of passing wizardry going 22/34 for 343 yards – and he threw to all the receivers who got into the game including a perfect 47 yard toss to Michael Young for a TD.

Chase Claypool had a terrific game as did Boykin. Book also ran down the sidelines for a 25 yard TD.

The ND defense held NW to 21 points no thanks to a blocked punt. You can’t let this crap go on if you want to have a serious chance at the playoffs. If Book is off in any of the next games you can kiss that goodbye. I don’t want to play BAMA.

Here are the game highlights:

Here is the Brian Kelly post game press conference:

Next Game: ND vs Florida State

Notre Dame 44 Navy 22 – Recap and Highlights

Irish Editor October 28, 2018 2018 Games Tagged Dexter Williams, Ian Book, Notr Dame vs Navy

Notre Dame came out fast in the first half, controlled the ball and stopped Navy from going anywhere leading to a 27-0 first half score.

ND coasted in the 2nd half allowing Navy to score its 22 points – just goes to show you can’t relax against Navy at anytime.

Ian Book had another excellent outing going 27/33 330 yards with 2 TD passes to Boykin. He did however have a horrible throw for a pick that eventually led to a Navy TD. Overall, however, this kid looks like the real deal and boy does he distribute the ball around.

Once again Dexter Williams was outstanding 23/142 yds and 3 TD’s. Jafar Armstrong caught 5 passes for 64 yds being a big asset coming out of the backfield. ND had 254 yards on the ground.

Personnel notes – Banks played LG while Ruhland replaced Kraemer at RG – so it looks as though the OL is now set.

Drue Tranquill hurt his ankle and Soph LB Drew White did a pretty good job as his replacement. I don’t think there are any other injuries which is great coming out of a Navy game.

Now sitting at 8-0 we’re coming to the money games which will determine ND’s Playoff picture.

Here are the game highlights:

Here is the Brian Kelly post game press conference:

Next Game: ND vs Northwestern

Notre Dame 19 Pitt 14 – Recap and Highlights

Irish Editor October 14, 2018 2018 Games Tagged Ian Book, Isaiah Rutherford, Notre Dame vs Pitt

Defense again comes up big and wins this game while Special Teams were anything but.

Pitt’s defense devised by HC Pat Narduzzi totally confused the ND offense especially Book. He was harassed and sacked all game until the final drive that won the game.

The ND running game was non existent and that was basically their DL beating our OL. That OL needs some changes and they have 2 weeks to fix it. Chip Long really has to upgrade his in game play calling.

Notre Dame’s game winning drive covered 80 yards and Book was 10 for 10 and cemented the win with a perfect 35 yard toss to Boykin for the TD. Book passed for 264 yds 2 TD’s and 2 Picks – he really stepped up in that last drive.

It’s a good thing ND has a bye week since the remaining games will not be easy – think Syracuse and USC.

In other news – COMMIT NUMBER 19 CB ISAIAH RUTHERFORD 4 STAR FROM CALIFORNIA – LONG LIST OF OFFERS INCLUDING USC AND ALABAMA.

Here are the game highlights:

Here is the post game Brian Kelly press conference:

Next Game: ND vs Navy

Notre Dame 45 Virginia Tech 23 – Highlights and Recap

Irish Editor October 8, 2018 2018 Games Tagged Dexter Williams, Ian Book, Notre Dame vs Virginia Tech

After a few fits and starts ND blew the doors off VT’s stadium led by the explosive ND RB Dexter Williams. Williams had a 97 yard TD run totaled 178 yards with 3 TD’s.

Ian Book was brilliant at times and erratic at times, but still finished 25/35 271 yards and 2 TD’s and 1 pick. He looks like he has a little Baker Mayfield in him. WR Boykin kicking it in had 8 catches 117 yards and 2 TD’s.

VT was held to 7 2nd half points. ND would have gone over 50+ points if Book did not overthrow wide open receivers. On that point WR Finke Number 10 was open the whole game.

ND defense played very well with DL Kareem popping the ball from QB and Julian Love had a 42 yard scoop and score.

Cloud on the horizon – VT rolled up 441 yards mostly in the air so there is a lot of work to do on pass defense.

Next up Pitt at home.

Check out the highlights:

Here is the Brian Kelly post game press conference:

Next Game: ND vs Pitt

Notre Dame vs Virginia Tech Predictions

Irish Editor October 5, 2018 2018 Games, Predictions Tagged Ian Book, Jerry Tillery, Notre Dame vs Virginia Tech

ND vs VT predictions — Notre Dame vs Virginia Tech Predictions

Notre Dame’s Defense is going to win this game along with FG kicker Justin Yoon. Unfortunately for us, Tech’s new QB lit it up against Duke in his first start 31-14.

QB Ryan Willis passed for 332 yards and 3 TD’s so our defense has to light this guy up in his 2nd start. Get him shaky by pressure and sacks starting early.

We don’t want him to emulate ND’s Ian Book. We’ll see if the ND defense will match the accolades heaped on them. DT Tillery really has to come through.

Ian Book has to continue building on his last two games in a very loud hostile stadium and against an excellent defensive coordinator in Bud Foster. If Book can maintain his composure and the ND OL can protect him we can win this game despite the loss of LG Alex Bars.

ND really needs a 2nd RB to give Dexter Williams a break. I look for ND to go 2 TE’s to help the Left side of the OL.

Lots of offense in this game, but ND gets into the 40’s.

Notre Dame 42 Virginia Tech 30

Here is the Brian Kelly pre game press conference: