The Athletic article on ND Backup QB - unfortunately GIFs didnt translate
Nick Angelich
Film Review: What Notre Dame has in backup QB Ian Book
Any time you have to play with a backup quarterback on the road, regardless of the opponent, it can be very troublesome. That is especially true for a team with huge aspirations, improved defensive play and a grueling schedule down the stretch.
Notre Dame is one such team, and on Saturday backup quarterback Ian Book proved more than worthy filling in for injured starter Brandon Wimbush in a convincing win against North Carolina.
The stats may not be gaudy — 17-for-31 passing for 146 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions plus 45 yards rushing —but it was more about the hidden plays from Book that should give Notre Dame fans and more importantly Notre Dame coaches reason for optimism should Book’s services be needed down the road.
This is a team on the verge of a six-game stretch that features five ranked teams in USC, N.C. State Miami, Navy and Stanford, plus Wake Forest, which has a salty group on defense.
Irish coach Brian Kelly said after Saturday’s game, “Brandon is our starter.” But Book showed enough against North Carolina that Notre Dame should be confident when it needs to call on him.
Below are some plays from Book that might not be eye popping, but contributed to winning the game due to smart, heady play.
Often with young, inexperienced quarterbacks, the first few series can be a bit shaky, especially if backed up in their own territory.
On this play in Notre Dame’s second series, North Carolina blanketed Book’s targets with coverage. Instead of forcing the football, he tucks it, gets what he can and lives to play the next down. The Irish then punt the ball, preserve field position and play defense. These are plays that do not show up in the stat sheet.
On this next play, Book has four verticals with a back checking down. He works through his progressions as long as he can until the clock goes off in his head and must flush the pocket. He keeps his eyes downfield, but decides to run and gets tackled after a 9-yard gain. This gives the offense a more than manageable line to gain on second down, avoids a negative play and further maintains field position. Smart.
On Notre Dame’s first red zone series, Notre Dame uses play-action with jet sweep motion and flood package into the boundary. Book shows patience to let the play develop, slow plays it and hits the backside crosser for a touchdown. Good progression, positive result.
The way Notre Dame had run the football to this point, you would think that 3rd and 2 would be an obvious running down. However, with the Irish at their own 31 with 10:25 left in the second quarter, they use a variation of the play from the red zone score above. This time Book is decisive and takes the tight end in the flat to convert and get the first down. With pressure in his face, he makes an accurate throw. New set of downs.
On another red zone series to begin the third quarter, it’s 2nd and 9. Situational awareness is the key in this area of the field. Notre Dame goes empty set with five wide receivers. Book works left side of the field, then gets flushed. While scrambling to his right, he keeps his eyes downfield and decides to take what the defense gives him. He takes a 2-yard loss along the sideline but doesn’t risk a throw in the end zone late, and his team gets three points to extend the lead.
In sum, Book did exactly what Notre Dame needed — he avoided catastrophic errors and negative plays. One of his two interceptions was the correct read but an errant throw. Was he perfect? No, but he didn’t need to be. He played within himself, and the offensive game plan was tailored to his strengths — play-action and changing the launch point.
Quarterback play isn’t always about touchdowns, spectacular plays and a strong arm. In Book’s case Saturday, it was about taking what the defense gave him, gaining the confidence of his team and strengthening the roster at the most important spot in football.
Notre Dame now knows far more about what it has, and this will serve the Irish well down the stretch.
(Top photo: Bob Donnan / USA TODAY Sports)