Notre Dame: Chase Claypool was Offensive Player of the Game vs. Virginia Tech
The senior receiver was BIG TIME for Notre Dame.
Well, it wasn’t exactly a bounce back game for the Irish offense after last week’s disaster. That being said, it was a much better effort than against Michigan. Without sloppiness in the turnover department, the score would have been more lopsided, and Notre Dame might feel a lot better about how the game went.
The turnovers did happen, though. Now instead of that nasty sour taste which Ann Arbor left in the mouth, it’s like when you wake up after forgetting to brush your teeth the night before. Something isn’t quite right, but it could be worse.
What’s not right?
The offensive line is banged up, and not as dominant as they’ve been in past seasons. Meanwhile, the running game has struggled in the absence of Tony Jones. Play calling has been uninspired and ultra conservative, with little to no downfield shots every game game.
Ian Book has been the biggest concern. We all know he’s regressed. You can see just watching him, he hasn’t looked comfortable in the pocket. He’s panicked under pressure. He’s had trouble getting off his first read. He’s been so scared to fail that he hasn’t given himself the chance to succeed.
At times, he looked improved against Virginia Tech. Book stayed in the pocket longer and took some deep shots. Still, he threw two interceptions, including one awful read in the 1st quarter where he hit a Virginia Tech player in the hands.
That’s why Ian Book can’t be offensive player of the game, despite his two touchdown passes and rushing touchdown. Despite being Notre Dame’s leading rusher, and throwing 53 times, Book was just too inconsistent.
Instead, Chase Claypool was the offensive player of the game against Virginia Tech. He put up strong numbers, 8 catches for 118 yards, despite being Virginia Tech’s main focus in the passing game. All day long he got open when Book needed a safety valve. Not just that, but he was enough of a distraction that it gave other receivers a chance to make plays.
More importantly, he was stable and consistent. That’s really what the offense needed. They needed their best players — Claypool and Cole Kmet — to be consistent leaders. That’s what they got.
Next. The play that changed everything vs. Virginia Tech. dark
No one had a flashy performance, but they got their business done. Chase Claypool was the most instrumental player in Notre Dame being able to move on from Michigan and get the win. That’s why he was the offensive player of the game.