Notre Dame Football: Ian Book, Irish hold off Northwestern’s late-charge
By Dana Becker
Notre Dame football needed every bit of Ian Book and a 21-point fourth quarter lead to remain unbeaten, topping Northwestern, 31-21.
Ian Book, who took over the starting job earlier this year at quarterback for Brian Kelly and the Irish, continued his breakthrough season, throwing for 343 yards and running for another 56. Book had a pair of passing touchdowns in the third quarter as Notre Dame went up 21-7.
Following a field goal by the Irish to make it 24-7, the Wildcats began their comeback, as Clayton Thorson had a pair of touchdowns. Northwestern, though, would get no closer in the end.
Notre Dame is one of just a handful of unbeatens left chasing a spot in the College Football Playoff, improved to 9-0 on the year. The Irish host Florida State and Syracuse before a date with USC to conclude the regular season.
Despite the loss, the Wildcats remain in control of their own destiny in the Big Ten West thanks to a loss by Iowa to Purdue earlier in the day. Northwestern heads to Iowa City to meet the Hawks next week.
The loss snapped a four-game win streak for Pat Fitzgerald and company, dropping the Wildcats to 6-3 overall, as they remain 5-1 in the conference.
Here are three takeaways from Notre Dame’s win over Northwestern on the road Saturday night.