Ian Book wasn’t fantastic early against Stanford just like most of his teammates but he got stronger as the game went on and wound up throwing for 255 yards on 17 of 30 passing while tossing four touchdown passes.
It wasn’t his best game but it was still pretty solid in the 45-24 Notre Dame victory.
Brian Kelly was asked about Book’s play, specifically his nerves now compared to last year and even the start of 2019 after Saturday’s game.
“He’s a different person now. He was really in a great place. He found a stillness to him that he’s never had before. And he plays the game differently now. His calmness is really about his confidence now and what he can do” Kelly said.
Facing a first and 17 at their own seven, Book made one of his biggest plays connecting with speedster Braden Lenzy for 43 yards.
“I think that’s a big turning point in the game. And they dropped eight but he showed patience in the pocket. We wouldn’t have saw that earlier in the year” Kelly said of the 43 yard gain.
“But I think it just goes to his mindset, his stillness that he has found and the way he plays the game now. It’s been really fun to watch his growth throughout the year.” Kelly added.
Book became the first Notre Dame quarterback to throw for 30 touchdowns in a season since Brady Quinn in 2006.
Book finishes the regular season with 33 touchdown passes and just six interceptions.