Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1307521
www.BLUEANDGOLD.com NOV. 14, 2020 5 FAN FORUM AHEAD OF THEIR TIME The Fifth Quarter column in the Oct. 17 issue pointed out that the ter- rific 1970 team had a couple of very low-scoring victories. I believe another interesting fact is they still hold the NCAA record for average number of offensive plays per game (it was around 95) — and I am sure a huddle preceded every one! In the current "no huddle" era, a total in the mid-80s is probably a very good day. Thanks for the trips down memory lane. Jim Brady '72 Via the Internet Mr. Brady, the actual number of plays run per game that 1970 season was 92.4 which, to our knowledge, remains the NCAA single-season record 50 years later. Back then they did not include bowl games, and the Irish ran "only" 72 in the 24-11 upset of No. 1 Texas in the Cotton Bowl to snap the Longhorns' 30-game winning streak. Even if you included the bowl, it would still be at 90.6. The 2012 Marshall team also is listed at 90.6. Through the first six games this season, UCF had a 90.5 average. STUMPED! When are the last three times Notre Dame has kicked and recovered an onside kick? The last one has to be at least before 2000. Tim Buckley Cincinnati Mr. Buckley, wow, this is a stumper, and one we might be intrigued to research in the offseason. We can recall many getting tried against the Irish through the years, but when it comes to them recovering their own kick … we're drawing blanks. Any longtime subscribers recall an answer here? BE HEARD! Send your letters to: Letters Blue & Gold Illustrated P. O. Box 1007, Notre Dame, IN 46556 or e-mail to: lsomogyi@blueandgold.com In August, when uncertainty about a 2020 college football season was prevalent, the NCAA Board of Governors approved a measure that grants an extra year of eligibility to all fall sports athletes. That means someone such as fifth-year senior quarterback Ian Book could return for another season of eligibility in 2021 if he wants to and the staff agrees to it. Book has enjoyed a record-breaking career at Notre Dame, but has he maxed out and is it time to move forward with a new face? BlueandGold. com readers debated this topic during Clemson week, and even wondered whether Michigan graduate transfer Dylan McCaffrey could be a viable op- tion for next season. Calind: He would be a great pickup to serve in the interim before Tyler Bu- chner takes over. The family has the pedigree of winners and thinks he got a raw deal. Interestingly, these jilted transfer QBs have tended to thrive (Kyler Murray, Joe Burrow, Phil Jurkovec …). Spaddy: It be worth to give it a shot. The problems are he is already a senior and he hasn't played that much and has had two concussions already, and one put him out a month. Golden Judge: He hasn't shown anything that would indicate that he is worth shaking up the existing QB room. No one here has much of an idea of what the coaches think of Brendon Clark and Drew Pyne. Just another "the grass is greener on the other side" … or "let's try something new, it could be better" approach. Spf84: If we're going to take a grad transfer, I'd prefer a proven commodity. Mh2365: I'd take Book back long before McCaffrey. Mcculloughsocal: If Book wins against Clemson, then you might have an argument. If the offense stalls out and we get stomped, the story Book needs to end. Stonewall13: If Book decides to come back, you take it and accept the potential limitations. Depending on what OL decide to return (along with Tommy Tremble), you could have a much-improved offense next year, espe- cially if you get Kevin Austin and Braden Lenzy back healthy and add more from Xavier Watts/Jordan Johnson and three true freshmen. Who knows if that would cause Clark to look around, but typically (unless he gets the hall pass like Jurkovec) he would have to sit a year regardless. I would not be convinced Clark, Pyne or a true freshman could play at Book's level next year as a baseline. Otherwise you look for a one-year grad transfer to compete. If Clark bolts, you have Pyne and Buchner and another freshman to compete the following year. Perhaps one of them beats out a grad transfer anyhow, but then you have a nice insurance policy. Irishchippewa: Give me a 6th year Book without a proven option. Best chance to win now. Look at next year's schedule. Extremely good chance of going undefeated. I wouldn't say that with a first-year QB. 2022 is the "throw- away year" getting Tyler ready: At OSU, Clemson, at USC. Smcnd: I don't have a clue why people are chomping at the bit to take a one-year transfer before giving Clark his shot. Keegan0615: I can't see a situation where Book comes back next year … He has done a tremendous job with his skill set, but I think we have seen little progress from 2018 to now. FROM THE WEBSITE JOIN THE CONVERSATION! GET A 60-DAY FREE TRIAL WITH CODE IRISH60 .com .com Thanks to an NCAA ruling, fifth-year senior quarterback Ian Book has the option to return for a sixth season at Notre Dame in 2021. PHOTO COURTESY NOTRE DAME ATHLETICS