Sources: Irish’s Wimbush to start for ailing Book
No. 3 Notre Dame is turning back to Brandon Wimbush to keep the Fighting Irish unbeaten.
Wimbush will start at quarterback against Florida State on Saturday, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press, because Ian Book is nursing an upper body injury.
Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly told reporters at his regularly scheduled postpractice Thursday news conference that Book had been limited at practice with an upper body injury and who starts would be game-time decision. He called Book day-to-day.
But a person speaking to the AP on condition of anonymity said Wimbush is set to be the starter and Book is not expected to play after taking a hard hit to the back and ribs last week against Northwestern.
“Brandon has gotten the bulk of work,” Kelly said. “We’ll see what happens Saturday.”
Book replaced Wimbush as the starter in the fourth game of the season for the Fighting Irish (9-0, No. 3 CFP). He is completing 74.5 percent of his passes, tops in the FBS, for 1,824 yards, with 15 touchdowns and four interceptions.
Wimbush, a senior, was the starter last season for the Irish, but his inconsistent and inaccurate passing led to Brian Kelly making the switch to Book. Wimbush has completed 50.8 percent for his career, with 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He has been an effective runner, with 1,044 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Former Mich. State star Kowalczyk dies
EAST LANSING, MICH. >> Walt Kowalczyk, a star halfback at Michigan State who finished third in the 1957 Heisman Trophy race, has died. He was 83.
Nicknamed “The Sprinting Blacksmith,” Kowalczyk helped the Spartans to topthree finishes in the AP poll for the 1955 and 1957 seasons. He was named MVP of the 1956 Rose Bowl.
Kowalczyk led the Spartans in rushing during the 1957 season and scored nine rushing touchdowns. John David Crow of Texas A&M topped the Heisman vote that season, followed by Alex Karras and Kowalczyk.
Kowalczyk was drafted in the first round by the Eagles in 1958. He spent three seasons in the NFL, two with the Eagles and one with Dallas, and finished his career in the AFL with Oakland in 1961. WISCONSIN AT PENN STATE Records: Wisconsin (6-3, 4-2 Big Ten) at No. 21 Penn State (6-3, 3-3, CFP No. 20) TV: Noon, FOX. Line: Penn State by 9. Series: Tied 9-9. WHAT’S AT STAKE? The Nittany Lions haven’t lost more than three games since 2015, the last season they failed to finish in the Top 25. They’ll try to avoid getting bounced from the rankings and hang on to hope of playing on New Year’s day with a strong finish. The Badgers still have a shot at winning the West Division, a game behind Northwestern with three weeks to play. KEY MATCHUP Penn State’s front seven vs. Wisconsin’s running game. Wisconsin RB Jonathan Taylor is averaging 151 yards per game with 11 touchdowns. He’s been especially strong coming out after halftime where he’s averaging 6.4 yards per carry in the third quarter. Minimizing Taylor’s impact has to be a priority for a defense that’s on pace to defend 961 plays after being on the field for 898 all of last season. PLAYERS TO WATCH Wisconsin: QB Jack Coan could make his second career start if Alex Hornibrook, who suffered a concussion last week against Rutgers, is ruled out. Coan has been solid with a 66 percent completion rate, 222 yards and a pair of touchdowns in two games. His other start also came on the road, came two weeks ago at Northwestern. Penn State: RB Miles Sanders. Penn State’s offense has been stagnant lately and Sanders could provide a boost, especially if QB Trace McSorley still struggles with his knee injury. Sanders hasn’t been as involved since he caught six passes in a 21-touch effort on Oct. 20. FACTS & FIGURES Penn State has won three straight in the series including a 38-31 in the 2016 Big Ten title game. . Penn State was held to seven points at Michigan last week, the first time the Nittany Lions were held to single digits since Sept. 27, 2014 . ... McSorley (13.47) and Hornibrook (13.43) are No. 1 and 2 in the Big Ten, respectively, in yards per completion. . Heavy rain is expected to hit Happy Valley for most of the day Friday and has prompted Penn State to close most of its grass tailgating lots for the second time this season.