Notre Dame Football: The play that changed everything vs. Louisville

Notre Dame football just missed covering the spread with the 35-17 victory over Louisville, but it wasn’t the cakewalk that some anticipated.

The 2019 Notre Dame football season opened with Ian Book showing off his wheels. A 37-yard rush on the first play of the game capped off with maybe one of the easiest drives we’ll see all season.

Just like that, Notre Dame went up 7-0. Yet, it was anything but smooth sailing from there.

Trading a couple more touchdowns, Louisville was able to keep things tied heading into the second quarter at 14 apiece. That score would hold deep into the second quarter.

With 1:20 left until halftime, Alohi Gilman knocked the ball out of Jawon Pass’s grasp and recovered the fumble. Up until that point, that was the play of the game.

On the very next play, however, Book took the snap and was forced to make something happen on his feet. In anticipation, he shifted directions and ran into his own tight end, knocking the ball loose.

That play could have been the breaking point. Book had played relatively shaky and without confidence. It was the perfect time to derail and fall apart.

As he headed to the sidelines you could see Brian Kelly challenging his quarterback. We saw it all last season, Book has what it takes to be a top quarterback in the nation. Book received that message and even more on the sideline. Louisville fumbled on the next play thanks to a botched snap.

Just like that, Ian Book was gifted a second chance.

With trips to the right, Booked faked a pass to the bubble screen and the backside was open for the run. Book darted into the end zone to give the Irish a lead they would not give up.

The Irish took a 21-14 lead into halftime, which was just the cushion that they needed. Into the second half, it took two drives, but the offense looked different with confidence instilled back into their quarterback.