Notre Dame Football: Hopes for Book and Jurkovec in the Blue and Gold Game

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ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 29: Ian Book #12 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs with the ball in the first half against J.D. Davis #33 of the Clemson Tigers during the College Football Playoff Semifinal Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Ian Book: A Better Pocket Presence

Ian Book did not seem to struggle when he was not under pressure. But in games where the pocket quickly collapsed, Book forced uncharacteristic throws and took uncharacteristic sacks. We saw this most obviously for the first time against Pittsburgh. This was the only game of the season where Book threw two interceptions, and it was the first time that we saw Book suffer from happy feet as the pocket grew smaller.

This same struggle was apparent on the biggest of stages in the Cotton Bowl. Book completed 17 of 34 passes, well under his average for completion, and he did not throw a single touchdown. He also lost a fumble and looked to be completely dominated by the Clemson defense. It goes without saying that the Clemson defense was filled with straight up studs. But those are the types of teams Book will have to compete against when it comes to winning a national championship.

In short, Book looked very uncomfortable under pressure last season. For him to take his game to the next level, he needs to work on being more poised in the pocket. He needs to build confidence in his ability to see what is in front of him under pressure. Seeing a less panicked Ian Book under pressure in the spring game would be a breath of fresh air.

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