Tag: 2020 acc football

Tale of the Tape: Starting QB Comparison – Ian Book vs. Phil Jurkovec

When Notre Dame visits Boston College, Ian Book once again will find himself the inferior quarterback of the matchup.

When Notre Dame visits Boston College, Ian Book once again will find himself the inferior quarterback of the matchup. While he’s thrown only one interception and is able to run the ball, the number of people who haven’t accepted that he won’t blow anyone away on paper has to be almost nonexistent by now. Still, you can’t fault the leadership he’s shown, and he’s still productive enough to make a difference for the Irish. He just does it in a “slow and steady wins the race” kind of way.

The Eagles have more of a pure thrower in Phil Jurkovec, and the numbers show. When he has to run, it’s typically only for short gains. So the key to beating him is by taking those open receivers away because that’s how he finds most of his success. If you do that, you will force him into playing a game he’s not comfortable with most of the time.

Watch: Highlights of Notre Dame’s Historic Upset of Clemson

For those fortunate enough to watch all of Notre Dame’s 47-40 win over top-ranked Clemson, it was one that never will be forgotten.

For those fortunate enough to watch all of Notre Dame’s 47-40 win over top-ranked Clemson, it was one that never will be forgotten. Some might have caught only some of it or none at all. Either way, Notre Dame’s Twitter account has you covered. If you missed any of the highlights or just want to watch them again, check them out here:

As you go through these highlights, probably more than once, you might recall the moment the Irish came out of the tunnel while not knowing what was going to happen. How did you feel when it appeared the Tigers had taken a stranglehold on the game only to watch the Irish force overtime in borderline improbable fashion? And what went through your mind once to victory was complete? No Notre Dame supporter will forget this game, and it will be fun to recall to our children and grandchildren years down the road.

Twitter Criticizes Notre Dame Students for Storming Field After Upset

As soon as Notre Dame completed it historic upset of top-ranked Clemson, the celebration was on at Notre Dame Stadium.

As soon as Notre Dame completed it historic upset of top-ranked Clemson, the celebration was on at Notre Dame Stadium. The students in attendance simply had to storm the field, as is typical for home fans whose team has just won a game like this. However, this usually doesn’t happen during a pandemic, and this game did. With the number of COVID-19 cases reaching record highs, people took to Twitter to criticize the apparent lapses in judgment and responsibility:

Stewart Mandel of The Athletic went so far as to wonder what this might mean for the Irish’s next game against Boston College:

I’m not going to say whether or not the students were right to do this or the university should have allowed it, and it’s unfortunate that it had somewhat overshadowed the outcome of this game. I’ll only ask that if you were a college student and your football team just had its biggest win in years, what would you do regardless of the current situation? Hopefully, there will be few or no COVID-19 cases to come of this. That’s all that can be said.

Notre Dame vs. Clemson: Overtime Analysis

When you root for a team, there are moments when it does the unthinkable, and you have no choice but to participate in the exhilaration.

When you root for a team, there are moments when it does the unthinkable, and you have no choice but to participate in the exhilaration. Saturday was one of those moments as Notre Dame upset top-ranked Clemson, 47-40, in double overtime. It’s possible the Irish (7-0, 6-0) will face the Tigers (7-1, 6-1) again in the ACC title game next month, and Trevor Lawrence surely will be suiting up this time. But this time of celebration is not the time to think about that.

At the start of the first overtime, the Tigers decided giving the Irish any breathing room was a chance they couldn’t take. On the very first play, D.J. Uiagalelei successfully executed a play-action pass and found Cornell Powell for what appeared to be a 25-yard touchdown. A lengthy replay review (and there were a lot of them in this game) ruled Powell down at the half-yard line, but it didn’t matter because Uiagalelei promptly took the ball into the end zone himself.

When the Irish got their turn with the ball, Ian Book found Michael Mayer for a 15-yard completion, putting them in good position. Two plays later, Kyren Williams ran 3 yards for the game-tying touchdown. To a second overtime we went.

The Irish got the ball first this time and had a little bit of difficulty at first. But Book’s 10-yard completion to Ben Skowronek set the Irish up at the Tigers’ 3-yard line. Williams was in the end zone two plays later, so the defense needed to do its part.

What followed ensured that Adetokunbo Ogundeji will be a legend in South Bend forevermore. He sacked Uiagalelei on back-to-back plays, getting help from Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah the first time around. The moment Nick McCloud recovered a fumble when the Tigers absolutely needed a first down to stay alive, bedlam erupted at Notre Dame Stadium. There’s no reason it shouldn’t have either.

This is a moment to celebrate. The criticism that Notre Dame can’t show up when the stakes are raised has been vanquished. It took long enough, but we’ve finally arrived. The future has arrived, and it’s a bright one.

Notre Dame vs. Clemson: Fourth-Quarter Analysis

It’s a game that has lived up to its billing. Notre Dame and Clemson have been competitive the entire way.

It’s a game that has lived up to its billing. Notre Dame and Clemson have been competitive the entire way. As a generation of Irish fans has come to expect, there’s no room for their team when it comes to beating the best of the best. But that might not be the case for long. We’re headed to overtime with these teams tied at 33.

After Jonathan Doerer and B.T. Potter traded field goals to begin the fourth quarter, the Tigers began a key drive at their own 26-yard line. Thanks to D.J. Uiagalelei’s play and leadership, Travis Etienne living up to his reputation as the ACC’s all-time leading rusher, and the Irish taking an uncharacteristic amount of penalties, it was inevitable that the nation’s top-ranked team would reach the end zone. That’s exactly what happened on a 3-yard run from Etienne.

The Irish then had a chance to march down the field and tie the game or even retake the lead. They picked up a couple of first downs but never got past the Clemson 47. It didn’t help that the final series included a questionable decision to pick up a pass interference flag against the Tigers. But the Notre Dame offense had been shaky the entire game, so it’s not like it deserved breaks at that point in the game anyway.

The Tigers went three and out on their next possession, giving the Irish one final opportunity. Looking to make the play that would put his team in position to do it, Ian Book found Avery Davis for a 53-yard completion to the Tigers’ 4. Three plays later, Book connected with Davis again, this time in the end zone to tie the score.

Notre Dame vs. Clemson: Third-Quarter Analysis

Well, we finally have the barn burner we were expecting in South Bend. Is it because Clemson is figuring out Notre Dame’s defense?

Well, we finally have the barn burner we were expecting in South Bend. Is it because Clemson is figuring out Notre Dame’s defense? Perhaps it’s the long time of possession the Tigers had in the third quarter. Whatever the reason, the final 15 minutes of regulation will begin with a 23-all game.

The Tigers took the ball to begin the second half and got far enough down field for B.T. Potter to kick a 46-yard field goal. The Irish promptly went three and out, Jay Bramblett had a short punt, and that began a Clemson possession that lasted nearly six-and-a-half minutes — longer than anyone in gold and blue would have liked. Led by D.J. Uiagalelei, the Tigers used every offensive weapon in their arsenal to pick up a third down, a fourth down and finally, a 10-yard touchdown caught by Davis Allen. The Tigers had scored 13 unanswered to knot it up.

The Irish appeared poised to take the lead right back. Ian Book opened the next drive with a 45-yard pass to Javon McKinley that required a replay review to confirm. Another review had to confirm a much shorter catch by Michael Mayer. Finally, Book was about to run for the touchdown from 7 yards out, only to lose the ball and have Baylon Spector recover it in the end zone for a touchback.

Notre Dame vs. Clemson: First-Quarter Analysis

If Notre Dame wanted to get off to a fast start against Clemson, mission accomplished.

If Notre Dame wanted to get off to a fast start against Clemson, mission accomplished. Almost before the crowd at Notre Dame Stadium had settled in, the Irish already had the lead. Then, they were up by more than one score. We don’t know if they’ll win this game, but at least we can say they had a 10-7 lead after the first quarter.

The Irish took the ball first and immediately benefited from a Tigers holding penalty. Just as quickly, Kyren Williams found an opening and was off to the end zone from 65 yards out. The defense then came out for its first series and forced a three-and-out. The offense started its next possession on the 44-yard line and, on a drive highlighted by a 28-yard pass from Ian Book to Javon McKinley, got agonizingly close to another touchdown before settling for a 24-yard field goal from Jonathan Doerer.

Scoring on its first two possessions turned out to be necessary for Notre Dame. Clemson wasted no time march downfield when it got the ball next, needing only four plays to score its first touchdown of the contest. That came on a 53-yard pass from D.J. Uiagalelei to Cornell Powell. With all of the weapons they have, look for the Tigers’ offense to do that a lot throughout.

Watch: Here Come the Irish to Battle Clemson

Notre Dame is playing one of the biggest games in its recent history.

Notre Dame is playing one of the biggest games in its recent history. Clemson, the top team in the country, has invaded South Bend, and the Irish are eager to prove they can compete. As they made their famous entrance into Notre Dame Stadium, they appear fired up and ready to go. You couldn’t ask for anything else to start if you support this team.

Tale of the Tape: Team Stats – Notre Dame vs. Clemson

When Notre Dame and Clemson square off, it will come down to which elite unit blinks first.

When Notre Dame and Clemson square off, it will come down to which elite unit blinks first. For the Irish, you have a defense that can do everything very well. Whether it’s preventing points, yards or third-down conversions, Clark Lea has coached his unit incredibly well. If there’s anything the offense can do to support it, it’s keep the ball for extended periods of time and advance it on the ground, both of which are the clear strengths for Tommy Rees’ crew.

The Tigers easily can combat all of that with its impressive offense, which will be led this week by former five-star recruit D.J. Uiagalelei. Trevor Lawrence won’t be far away from him as he’ll be guiding the freshman from the sideline. The points and first downs will be plentiful, and a defense on par with the Irish’s will complement that offense just fine. To say the least, this is a complete team heading into Notre Dame Stadium.

Tale of the Tape: Leading Receivers – Javon McKinley vs. Amari Rodgers

If there ever was a time for Javon McKinley to be a leader for Notre Dame’s receiving corps, it will have to be against Clemson.

If there ever was a time for Javon McKinley to be a leader for Notre Dame’s receiving corps, it will have to be against Clemson. Despite having the most yards out of that group, he still has not scored a touchdown this season. On the flip side, he’s been key in helping the Irish reach the end zone more than doing so itself, which is valuable for any football team. It just so happens that the one for the Irish has more production than might be expected for that particular player.

The Tigers clearly have the edge in this category via Amari Rodgers. He has nearly triple the receptions and more than double the receiving yards of McKinley, not to mention his six touchdowns. Even without Trevor Lawrence, there’s no reason to think Rodgers won’t have close to his normal production while catching passes from D.J. Uiagalelei. If the Irish’s defense lets him get free, it could be a long night for the home team.