Irish defense dominant over Cyclones
Iowa State kept out of end zone as Notre Dame caps 3rd straight double-digit win year
ORLANDO, Fla. — Ian Book threw for 247 yards and one touchdown and Tony Jones Jr. scored on an 84-yard run, helping No. 14 Notre Dame dominate Iowa State 33-9 on Saturday in the Camping World Bowl.
Book completed 20 of 28 passes without an interception, including a 27-yard TD throw to Chase Claypool as the Fighting Irish (11-2, No. 15 CFP) wrapped up another double-digit win year on a six-game winning streak. Claypool had seven receptions for 146 yards and was named game MVP, while Jones finished with 135 yards rushing.
Brock Purdy was 17 of 30 for 222 yards and no interceptions for Iowa State (7-6). However, the sophomore quarterback was unable to get his team into the end zone after throwing for a Cyclones' single-season record 27 TDs during the regular season.
Notre Dame's defense was superb, forcing two first-quarter fumbles that helped the Irish build a 20-6 halftime lead. Jones scored on Notre Dame's first play from scrimmage in the third quarter, circling the left end and heading up the sideline in front of the Iowa State bench.
Cornerback Tayvonn Kyle caught up to the 5-foot-11, 224-pound Jones at the Cyclones 10 yard line but was unable to fight off the running back's stiff arm and was carried into the end zone.
Jafar Armstrong also scored on a 1-yard run for the Irish, who got four field goals from Jonathan Doerer.
Connor Assalley kicked field goals of 41, 26 and 42 yards for Iowa State.
The Fighting Irish had 26 takeaways during the regular season, including a nation-leading 17 fumbles. The defense set the tone from the start against one of the Big 12's top passing attacks and never really allowed the high-scoring Cyclones to establish a rhythm offensively. As expected, the 6-foot-4, 229-pound Claypool was a difficult matchup for Iowa State's smallish secondary. The Irish also outrushed the Cyclones 208-45, with a huge chunk of that advantage being built on Jones' long scoring run. The Fighting Irish have won 10 or more games in three consecutive seasons for the first time since 1991-93.
Book is a senior but has a year of eligibility remaining. Coach Brian Kelly faces some tough decisions for 2020, including naming an offensive coordinator after parting ways with Chip Long earlier this month. Quarterbacks coach Tommy Rees called plays in the Camping World Bowl.
The Irish open next season against Navy in Dublin, Ireland, on Aug. 29.