Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1047749
24 NOV. 12, 2018 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED TURNING POINT After the score was knotted 7-7 at halftime, Notre Dame asserted con- trol on its opening drive of the second half. The Fighting Irish put together an 80-yard touchdown march to move ahead 14-7, with junior quar- terback Ian Book completing 7 of 9 passes for 77 yards with a touchdown to senior wide receiver Miles Boykin. However, the real back-breaking moment came on its next possession after Northwestern pinned the Irish back at their 2-yard line with 4:45 left in the third quarter. Book went deep on the first two plays — and on the second he connected with junior wideout Chase Claypool for a 31-yard gain. That provided breathing room, and three plays later Book went long again and found sophomore wide re- ceiver Michael Young in stride for a 21-7 advantage. Similar to the game at Virginia Tech when Notre Dame was bottled up deep and senior run- ning back Dexter Williams' 97-yard touchdown gallop broke open the contest, this sequence did the same. STAT OF THE GAME Our first thought was that North- western did not commit a turnover or a penalty (although one was de- clined by the Irish) in this contest. Notre Dame has had only one such contest like that in its history, a 24-6 win at LSU in 1997. With the Wildcats losing, though, it wasn't enough to get the result they wanted. Instead for the third time in five games, Notre Dame's defense held its opponent to less than 250 total yards: 249 by Northwestern, 242 by Pittsburgh Oct. 13 and 229 by Stan- ford Sept. 29. This marks the first time since 2012, when the dominant defense led the 12-0 Irish into the national title game versus Alabama, that Notre Dame has limited three op- ponents in one year to less than 250 yards. In 2012, it was Michigan State (237 in a 20-3 victory), Brigham Young (243 in a 17-14 win) and Wake Forest (209 in a 38-0 whitewashing). UNDERRATED ASPECTS While the passing accuracy of Book and the pass rush of the front seven have understandably gar- nered most of the headlines at Notre Dame this season, two elements that complement those efforts have been overshadowed. Book's mobility included a team- high 56 rushing yards versus North- western to up his season total so far to 218. The ability to extend plays with his maneuverability that forces defenses to honor his running skills only facilitates the overall pass attack. On the other side of the ball, the Irish pass efficiency defense ranked No. 8 nationally entering the North- western game and excelled again. Notre Dame can effectively apply pressure with only four-man rushes (like in 2012), allowing for more bodies on the back end of what has become a far more seasoned de- fensive back corps than two years ago. The group has bloomed and clamped down with its coverage skills, led by All-American junior cornerback Julian Love. THREE OBSERVATIONS BY LOU SOMOGYI OFFENSE: WR CHASE CLAYPOOL Junior quarterback Ian Book had some brilliant moments in the win over Northwestern, throwing for a career-high 343 yards and two scores, but his first-quarter fumble and first-half struggles (7-of-15 passing for 107 yards) keep him from earning this honor. Notre Dame's most consistent and impactful player on offense was the junior wideout. Northwestern game planned to limit senior wide receiver Miles Boykin, and Claypool made them pay for it. He caught eight passes for 130 yards — both season highs — and his 31-yard grab with the offense backed up at its own 2-yard line was crucial to a 98-yard scoring drive that put the Irish up two scores. DEFENSE: CB JULIAN LOVE AND CB TROY PRIDE JR. Northwestern came into the game ranked 27th nationally in passing offense, averaging 280.1 yards per game. Notre Dame held the Wild- cats to just 141 yards through the air, and the play of the two junior cornerbacks was a primary reason. Northwestern tested the Irish corners deep multiple times, but could not complete balls down the field. Love was impactful in cov- erage, breaking up one pass, and in the run game, making six tackles (one for loss). Pride did not allow a single pass completion all game while breaking up two passes. SPECIAL TEAMS: PR CHRIS FINKE The senior punt returner had 35 yards on three returns, with a nifty 19-yard gain in the first half and a 15-yard runback in the second half. Finke's most impressive return might have been his shortest. North- western punter Jake Collins' first boot of the second half was a line drive that came close to hitting the Irish blockers, so Finke wisely hustled up and fielded the ball to ensure possession for the offense. TOP PLAYERS OF THE GAME BY BRYAN DRISKELL Junior cornerback Troy Pride Jr. broke up a pair of passes and did not allow a single pass completion all game. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA