Blue and Gold Illustrated

Nov. 12, 2018

Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football

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26 NOV. 12, 2018 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED CHASE CLAYPOOL SHOWS UP BIG It took nine games, but junior wide receiver Chase Claypool had his breakout effort of the 2018 season on the road against Northwestern. Claypool recorded season highs in both catches (eight) and receiving yards (130), and was awarded the game ball by head coach Brian Kelly. It was the second 100-yard receiv- ing performance of his career (180 against Wake Forest in 2017). "The game plan definitely set me up for that," said Claypool, who grabbed six receptions for 95 yards during the final 30 minutes of play. "Going into a game, you always want to feel like you're going to play a big role." During the third quarter, the Irish offense started a drive at its own 2-yard line up 14-7. After an incom- pletion on first down, junior quarter- back Ian Book found Claypool down the sideline for a gain of 31 yards to give the unit some breathing room. Later that same drive, Claypool reeled in a clutch 14-yard reception on third-and-four. On the next play, Book found wide receiver Michael Young for a 47-yard touchdown to put the Irish up 21-7. Claypool also had a 21-yard recep- tion to open Notre Dame's final scor- ing drive, which started on its own 11, that put the game out of reach 31-21. "Chase did awesome," Book said after the game. "It was really good to see because I know how hard he works at practice. He was due for a big night like tonight. "He can make every play and ev- ery catch you need. It was awesome for Chase to have such a good night like that." Claypool has been ascending in recent weeks, positing his three high- est yardage numbers of the season in the last three games — against Pitts- burgh (61), Navy (57) and North- western. Before this stretch, the ju- nior had just one 50-yard receiving game, which came in the road win over Wake Forest (51). SPECIAL TEAMS WOES Despite the victory over North- western, it was not the best perfor- mance for the Notre Dame special teams units. There were multiple miscues throughout that helped keep the Wildcats within striking distance. Senior kicker Justin Yoon missed a 44-yard field goal wide left late in the first quarter, which could have given the Irish a 10-0 lead. Sophomore kicker Jonathan Doerer knocked a third quarter kickoff out of bounds to give the Wildcats pos- session at their own 35, down just 14-7. However, the Irish defense held their ground and forced a punt. The Irish offense to scored on the ensuing possession to extend the lead to 21-7. The biggest mistake of the eve- ning for Notre Dame was allowing a blocked punt that was recovered by Northwestern on Notre Dame's 17-yard line. Redshirt freshman cor- nerback Cam Ruiz ran free to Irish fifth-year senior punter Tyler New- some and came away with a clean block that gave the Wildcats a short field and the opportunity to close the Notre Dame lead to 24-21 with seven minutes remaining in the contest. The blocked punt and missed field goal created a potential 10-point swing in the game. "We made some silly mistakes," head coach Brian Kelly noted. "You can't have a blocked punt. We've got a guy who is one of our best players in that position. We just have to be better with attention to detail. "We're putting our best players on the field, and they've got to be better every single snap." IRISH SHOW RESILIENCY IN GAME-CLINCHING DRIVE Despite having much of the mo- mentum in the early stages of the fourth quarter, Notre Dame quickly found itself needing an answer to close out Northwestern. NORTHWESTERN GAME NOTES BY COREY BODDEN Junior wide receiver Chase Claypool notched season highs in both receptions (eight) and receiving yards (130) for the Fighting Irish. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA MISCELLANEOUS NOTES • Of the ranked opponents Northwestern has faced in 2018, the Irish posted the most points (31) and total yards (464), and the biggest margin of victory (10). The Wildcats faced Michigan, Michigan State and Wisconsin when each was ranked in the top 25. • Junior quarterback Ian Book surpassed the 300-yard mark for the third time this season. His first two 300-yard passing games came against Wake Forest (325) and Navy (330). • Senior running back Dexter Williams now has eight rushing touchdowns in just five games. He finished with 56 yards and a score on 19 carries in the Irish win. • Junior defensive end Daelin Hayes recorded his first two sacks of the 2018 campaign. • Senior kicker Yoon surpassed John Carney for the second most made field goals in Irish history (52).

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