Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/954261
www.BLUEANDGOLD.com APRIL 2018 21 BY THE NUMBERS 76.09 Percent of the time Notre Dame scored a touchdown in the red zone (35 of 46, plus seven field goals) — the seventh-best figure na- tionally. The Irish generally had ranked around 70th under head coach Brian Kelly in red-zone efficiency, but Brandon Wimbush's 14 rushing touchdowns, the most ever by an Irish quar- terback, helped significantly upgrade that facet in 2017. 86 National pass efficiency ranking of Wimbush among 110 Football Bowl Subdi- vision quarterbacks who threw enough passes to qualify. His 49.5 percent completion rate marked the first time since freshman Brady Quinn in 2003 (47.3 percent) an Irish starter was at less than 50 percent. 1,010 Combined rushing yards in 2017 by Wimbush (803) and Ian Book (207), the first time the quarterback position at Notre Dame collectively eclipsed 1,000. Wimbush's total was the second highest ever by an Irish signal-caller, behind Tony Rice's 934 in 1989. WHO'S GONE Montgomery VanGorder Served as the team's holder for field goals and extra points the last two seasons. WHO'S BACK Senior Brandon Wimbush A 12-game starter in 2017, he ac- counted for 30 touchdowns (16 passing and 14 rushing) and 2,673 yards (1,870 passing and 803 rushing). Junior Ian Book His fourth-quarter heroics against LSU in the Citrus Bowl have thrust him into the quarterback mix. TOP NEWCOMERS Sophomore Avery Davis A run-throw figure, he will get a look at both quarterback and wide receiver during the spring. QUARTERBACKS 2018 SPRING FOOTBALL PREVIEW Returning Returning Year-End Year Starts Passing Yards/TD Passing Yards/TD 2017 0 17/0 2,326/20 2018 13 2,343/20 — Brian Kelly's Take "You always hope one guy just says I'm head and shoulders [above]. I think we're in pretty good posi- tion if we have clear separation. … What I want to know is that our quarterbacks are equally adept at running it and throwing it — and that wasn't the case [in 2017]. We have to be equally adept, and that's really going to be the goal of the spring, more so than if one guy separates." PHOTO BY ANGELA DRISKELL POSITION BATTLE TO WATCH The Brandon Wimbush-led offense averaged 36.1 points and 496.1 yards per game during the 8-1 start. What most remember, however, is his epic collapse in November. Wimbush's struggles opened the door for Ian Book, who led the Irish to a fourth-quarter comeback victory over LSU in the Citrus Bowl. Book's strong finish and Wimbush's late-season demise means the pair will battle it out for the starting role this spring — and perhaps beyond. W hat would a spring at Notre Dame be without a quarterback competition or debate? Brandon Wimbush was erratic as a passer during the first nine games, com- pleting just 51.5 percent, but he compen- sated by making clutch throws and rip- ping foes apart with his legs. He totaled 1,925 total yards and 24 touchdowns while leading an 8-1 start. Notre Dame climbed to No. 3 in the Col- lege Football Playoff rankings, but his sea- son began to unravel in Notre Dame's 41-8 loss at Miami. Wimbush missed simple throws and seemed less willing to use his legs. He never recovered from that funk, com- pleting just 44.0 percent of his passes in the final four games, during which Notre Dame went 2-2. Five turnovers in the final four games didn't help his cause, and his inability to move the ball against LSU in the Citrus Bowl resulted in Ian Book taking over late in the first half. Book was a bit turnover prone himself, throw- ing four interceptions in just 75 attempts. He threw a crucial third-quarter interception against the Tigers, but bounced back by completing seven of his final nine passes for 112 yards with two touchdowns. Wimbush gives the offense greater upside with his dynamic running ability and natural arm talent. When he was on his game, it left de- fenses helpless, unable to contain both Wimbush and the other Irish skill players. He will need to be that player far more fre- quently if he wants to hold off Book. While he lacks Wimbush's impactful physical tools, Book was still able to rush for 200 yards in limited action. His unflappable late-game performance against LSU won't soon be forgotten. BRANDON WIMBUSH