5 Instant Takeaways from No. 3 Notre Dame’s win at Pitt

Notre Dame got bad injury news earlier in the week but came out firing on almost all cylinders in their rout of Pittsburgh. Takeaways here.

Ian Book Shines vs. Pitt

Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Ian Book’s ability to run often gets criticized because almost in a Jake Locker type of way, too often Book’s highlights come with him running the ball after having seemingly no interest in trying to throw a pass.

Book is far from perfect but he is worthy of plenty of praise for his performance on Saturday as it was his mobility and willingness to run that helped open things up down the field in the first half.

There were missed throw and even for the best, there almost always will be some, but this was to me easily Book’s best showing of 2020 as he went 16/30 for 312 yards and three touchdowns.

“I think Ian is one helluva football player” wide receiver Ben Skowronek said after the game.

Even if Book’s completion percentage wasn’t where you’d like it his ability on the ground was invaluable.

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