‘Character victory’
Book runs it in with 29 seconds left to avoid upset
SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Ian Book delivered the type of clutch, game-winning drive that can make Notre Dame fans forgive the quarterback’s mistakes.
Book ran 7 yards for a touchdown with 29 seconds left, capping an 18-play, 87-yard drive as the 16th-ranked Fighting Irish pulled out a 21-20 victory over the Virginia Tech and averted a second straight loss.
After getting blown out at Michigan last week, Notre Dame faced some harsh criticism.
“This week was about our team,” Book said after his designed run on third-and-goal tied the game at 20. “It was about having that strong love for each other and just going out there for one another and playing for each other.”
Jonathan Doerer kicked the go-ahead PAT after holder Jay Bramblett fielded a low snap, and freshman Kyle Hamilton then picked off a long Quincy Patterson pass to seal the victory, the 16th straight by the Irish at Notre Dame Stadium.
“That was a great character victory for our football team,” coach Brian Kelly said. “They endured a lot this week. They found a way to win.”
Book led a methodical drive, converting two fourth downs, including a fourth-and-10 at the Tech 33 for 26 yards to Chase Claypool that gave the Irish first-and-goal from the 7. After two incomplete passes, Notre Dame caught Virginia Tech in a blitz, and Book ran away from it and darted into the end zone.
“Just a lot of grit and perseverance,” tight end Cole Kmet said.
Book passed for 341 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions and led the Irish with 50 yards on 13 carries.
The Irish committed three turnovers deep in Virginia Tech territory, including a Jafar Armstrong fumble at the goal line that Hokies safety Divine Deablo returned for a 98-yard touchdown to tie the game at 14 with 9 seconds left in the first half.
The Hokies (5-3) added a pair of Brian Johnson field goals in the second half, and the Irish missed one, leaving Notre Dame trailing by six with 3:19 remaining and the ball at its 13. But Book and the Irish came through.
“It’s a tough locker room in there,” Virginia Tech coach Justin Fuente said. “It’s a group of guys that played hard, prepared well for a very good football team on the road in a hostile environment and almost pulled it off.”
Patterson got the start at quarterback for Virginia Tech in place of Hendon Hooker, who had started the three previous wins but suffered a knee injury in Virginia Tech’s 43-41, six-overtime victory against North Carolina two Saturdays ago.