Game Recap: Ian Book and Notre Dame punish BVG and Bowling Green

Notre Dame did what was expected on Saturday afternoon against Bowling Green and former defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder – defeating the Falcons 52-0.

After both offenses started the game with quick 3 and outs, it was all Notre Dame from there. The Irish totaled nearly 600 yards of total offense (573) — 340 passing and 233 rushing. However, it was very clear that both teams were trying to run clock in the 4th quarter. Some fans may disagree with that philosophy, but in reality, what is the difference in winning 52-0 and 66-0? Nothing.

Ian Book was very efficient right from the first play. He saw the field well all day and hit the majority of his open receivers with ease — really the only bad throw being a crosser that Javon McKinley still should have caught for Book’s 6th touchdown.

Book finished with 5 touchdowns, 261 yards, while his successor Phil Jurkovec also led 2 scoring drives and threw his first touchdown as a Notre Dame QB.

Javon McKinley led the way receiving with 5 catches for 104 yards and a touchdown, while Claypool corralled 2 touchdown grabs of his own. The remaining 3 receiving TDs going to Tommy Tremble, Cole Kmet and Avery Davis. The lone rushing touchdown was by C’Bo Flemister, the final score of the game.

Overall, the running lanes were wide open for the Irish all day, as they averaged nearly 7 yards per rush. Essentially, whenever they decided to run it was easy pickings. Early on, Tony Jones Jr. found many holes for big gains and finished with 102 yards on 7 carries — his second 100 yard rush performance in as many weeks.

Second on the team in rushing this week was Jurkovec, and shout out to the offensive coaches for giving him a playbook that fit his skill set. It was clear they had a plan for Phil today that was separate from Book, which bodes well for the future if they ever need him to play in a pinch. A nice confidence boost for Jurkovec was needed.

On defense, the Irish were dominant early on and it stayed that way throughout the game. There were points in the game where Bowling Green was able to chew up some clock, but they never really ever came close to scoring — and the one time they did, Julian Okwara destroyed the offensive lineman and blocked a field goal. Notre Dame notched it’s first shutout since the 2014 Michigan game, and ironically Brian VanGorder was on the sidelines that day as well.

It is officially USC week, and Notre Dame should be confident and rested against their biggest rival in South Bend. Notre and USC will be under the lights — 7:30 PM EST start time.