Notre Dame’s passing game should get boost with return of Book

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Notre Dame has scored at least 31 points in five of Ian Book’s six starts at quarterback this season.

Syracuse can also put up points. The Orange are seventh nationally in scoring offense, averaging 44.4 points. Quarterback Eric Dungey has accounted for 26 touchdowns.

Book — who is coming back from a rib injury — and Dungey lead highpowered offenses into Saturday’s game between the third-ranked Irish (10-0) and No. 12 Syracuse (8-2).

Chris Simms is quite familiar with the position. The former Texas and NFL quarterback is a studio analyst for NBC and will be on location at Yankee Stadium.

Book, a graduate of Oak Ridge High of El Dorado Hills that is part of the Sac-Joaquin Section, impresses Simms even before the redshirt sophomore’s first snap of a game.

“He’s been the best thrower in pregame warm-ups in every game I’ve been to,” Simms said in a phone interview Tuesday. “I’ve been around quarterbacks my whole life and I love to watch them warm up. When I tell you there’s one guy you can depend on that was throwing rockets and perfect spirals every throw during warm-ups, he always caught my eye that way.”

It has carried over into games. Book leads the nation with a 74.5 completion percentage. He’s fourth nationally in passing efficiency with a 170.0 rating. Book has 1,824 passing yards, 15 touchdowns and four interceptions.

Dungey will provide a variety of problems for Notre Dame’s defense. He has 2,193 passing yards and 14 touchdowns. He’s also rushed for 690 yards and 12 touchdowns.