Irish hope to ride Book’s arm to second straight CFP berth
SOUTHBEND,IND.>> ForNotreDame to reach its second straight College Football Playoff, itmay have to run the table behind quarterback Ian Book.
“When you step into being the quarterback at Notre Dame, high expectations come with it,” said coach Brian Kelly, who has twice in nine seasons directed teams to 12-0 regular seasons only to come up short of delivering the school’s first national title since 1988.
Lastseason, the6-foot, 212-pound Book completed 68.2% of his passes for 2,628 yards and 19 touchdowns while leading the Fighting Irish to the playoff, where they lost 30-3 to eventual national champion Clemson in the Cotton Bowl semifinal.
Upon his return to campus last winter, Book said he immediately went to work, including on making difficult and tight downfield passes. Book was rewarded when he was named one of the team’s seven captains.
“Being able to wear the ‘ C’ on your chest is a big deal,” Book said. “I’m ready to lead. We know what it takes to get to the playoff. We just have to work on the details.”
Kelly has seen the improvements in Book both as a player and leader and seen how his teammates have responded.
“Ian’s personality is not one wherehe’sgoingtogetmanyspeeding tickets,” Kelly said. “There’s a confidence throughout the entire
Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book runs against Clemson during the Cotton Bowl semifinal playoff game last season in Arlington, Texas.
unit starting to breed, and we’re seeing that because of Ian.” LINETIME>> Sophomore newcomer Jarrett Pattersontakes over at center between four holdovers, tackle Liam Eichenberg and guard Aaron Banks to his left and guard Tommy Kraemer and tackle Robert Hainsey to his right. Experienced running backs Jafar Armstrong and Tony Jones Jr. return in the backfield, while Book has an experienced wide receiver corps with Chris Finke, Chase Claypool and Michael Young. Big things were expected from junior tight end Cole Kmet, but he suffered a broken right collarbone early in fall camp and is expected tomiss anywhere from four to 10 weeks. BORN TO RUN >> Armstrong (383 yards) and Jones (392) carried the rushing load early in 2018 before injuries and the return of senior DexterWilliams froma suspension lessened their touches. Williams finished with 12 touchdowns and 995 yards in the final nine games. Expect Armstrong and Jones, who are both adept at catching passes, to lead theway again as sophomores Jahmir Smith and C’Bo Flemister battle with improving freshman Kyren Williams for playing time. ON DEFENSE >> The Irish defensive line should be strong up front with seniors Khalid Kareem, JulianOkwara and Daelin Hayes, who combined for 14.5 quarterback sacks.
“We have a lot of talent on defense and the blueprint how to get back,” Kareem said.
MARSHALL Conference: Conference USA Notes: Marshall returns nine starters on offense from a team that went 9-4 and won the Gasparilla Bowl last season. Marshall brings back quarterback Isaiah Green, four starters on the offensive line and its two top rushers from last season. Channing Hames and Omari Cobb lead a defense that didn’t allow any individual to rush for 100yards last season. North Texas is another Conference USA team that bears watching.
BOISE STATE Conference: Mountain West Notes: We’re giving Boise State the slightest of edges over Utah State and defending Mountain West champion Fresno State in the league race. Fresno State and Boise State have met in the last two MWC championship games, with Fresno State winning last year 19-16in overtime. The Broncos have the preseason MWC defensive player of the year in Curtis Weaver, who collected 9 ½ sacks last season. Boise State has won at least 10games 11of the last 13seasons.
CINCINNATI Conference: American Athletic Notes: Cincinnati improved from 4-8 in 2017to 11-2last year with redshirt freshman quarterback Desmond Ridder throwing 20touchdown passes and only five interceptions. Cincinnati also returns MichaelWarren, who rushed for 1,329 yards last season. The Bearcats allowed just 17.2points per game last year to rank ninth nationally in scoring defense. Cincinnati’s schedule gives the Bearcats opportunities to grab the spotlight. The Bearcats host UCLA and visit Ohio State in the first two weeks of the season. UCF visits Cincinnati on Oct. 4in a matchup that could determine which team plays in the AAC championship game.
OHIO Conference: Mid-American Notes: Ohio hasn’t won a MAC title since 1968but enters this year as the favorite to win the league. The Bobcats have gone 9-4and have won bowl games each of the last two seasons. Quarterback Nathan Rourke threw for 2,434yards and 23touchdowns and rushed for 860yards and 15scores last season. The defense looks to build on its 27-0Frisco Bowl victory over San Diego State, whichmarked the first bowl shutout ever recorded by a MAC program.