Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1183432
22 NOV. 16, 2019 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED TURNING POINT In the last three minutes of the first half and the first two minutes of the second half, Duke temporarily had momentum on its side. First it cut Notre Dame's lead to 21-7 by halftime, and then the Blue Devils opened the second half with a fake punt that resulted in a pass-interference call on Irish senior walk-on Temitope Agoro. With a new set of downs at the Irish 40-yard line, the threat to make it a one-score game loomed — until the first play afterward when a miscommunication between quarterback and re- ceiver resulted in senior cornerback Troy Pride Jr. intercepting Quentin Harris' throw. Notre Dame then drove 70 yards in eight plays, highlighted by back-to-back catches of 23 and 35 yards by senior wide receiver Chase Clay- pool. Fifth-year senior wide receiver Chris Finke snared the touchdown on third-and-goal from the 6-yard line. There was no remote threat thereafter of the Blue Devils coming back from a 28-7 deficit. STATS OF THE GAME The Fighting Irish outgained Duke on the ground 288-95, which speaks to their supremacy on both sides of the line of scrimmage through- out the entire four quarters. After rushing for only 47 yards at Michigan and 106 on 2.8 yards per carry versus Virginia Tech the past two weeks, Notre Dame asserted itself with a diverse ground attack that included more designed runs for senior quarterback Ian Book, who romped for a career-high 139 yards, as well as some counters and sprint draws. Defensively, the dominance was reflected by Notre Dame recording seven three-and-out se- ries on Duke's 15 possessions. Two others ended with turnovers on new series, one lasted four plays, and none of them gained more than 39 yards. During the decisive first half when the Fighting Irish built a 21-0 cushion, the Blue Devils' six possessions all resulted in quick punts and included four straight three-and-out series. The 22 plays overall during that span netted 49 yards. DEFINING MOMENT Part of the drama/soap opera of any college football season, or virtually any sport, is how hu- man emotions can ebb and flow. The Notre Dame football team that lost 45-14 at Michigan Oct. 26 became a somewhat stunned and shaken unit, especially on offense. The fol- lowing week while trailing Virginia Tech 20-14 in the closing minutes its appeared to be on the brink of a downward spiral seen in 2014 and 2016, and even the final three weeks of the regu- lar season in 2017. However, that game-winning 87-yard touch- down drive in 18 plays against the Hokies that saw two fourth-down situations converted pro- vided a second life and perhaps even a looser spirit while recognizing there is still plenty that can be achieved this season. If Notre Dame does indeed win out — as it will be favored to do so — that final march against Virginia Tech will be looked back on as the defin- ing moment of the campaign. THREE OBSERVATIONS BY LOU SOMOGYI OFFENSE: QB IAN BOOK The senior came through with a superb performance against a quality Duke defense, becoming the first Irish signal-caller to run for more than 100 yards while pass- ing for four touchdowns in a single game. Book looked much more decisive and completed 18 of 32 passes for 181 yards with the four scores. He did throw two interceptions, but his arm was hit on one of them and the other came on a shot to the end zone on fourth down. He also led the team in rushing with 139 yards on 12 carries (11.6 yards per attempt), ripping off career-long runs of 53 and 45 yards in the process. DEFENSE: LB DREW WHITE All three starting linebackers were considered for this honor, but ultimately the junior from Boca Raton, Fla., earned it. He led the team with seven total tackles and five solo stops. He also registered Notre Dame's lone sack of the evening. In addition, White played a huge role in the defense notching some pivotal third-and-short stops early in the game that helped the Irish seize the momentum and build a 21-0 lead in the first half. SPECIAL TEAMS: WR CHRIS FINKE In addition to having his best game as a wide receiver this season and snagging two touchdowns, the fifth- year senior was outstanding on special teams. He returned two punts for a total of 51 yards, nota- bly a 46-yarder in the fourth quarter that set up Notre Dame's fifth and final touchdown of the game. Finke finished with five catches for 49 yards, which could have been more — he also had a nearly 78-yard catch- and-run in the second half called back on an Irish hold- ing penalty. TOP PLAYERS OF THE GAME BY ANDREW MENTOCK Fifth-year senior wide receiver Chris Finke hit his stride against the Blue Devils, hauling in five catches for 49 yards and two touchdowns, and returned two punts for 51 yards. He helped set the tone by scoring the first touchdown of each half for the Fighting Irish. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN