Notre Dame Football: Report card for win over Virginia in Week 5

Offense

Head coach Brian Kelly has to be thrilled with his rushing offense. This was their best rushing performance since the Louisville game, and it was especially sweet because their best running back, Jafar Armstrong, is injured for at least another two weeks.

Quarterback: B-

Ian Book was solid once again with 165 yards passing. What we have yet to see is Book and the wide receivers push the ball down the field. He had plenty of time to throw most of the game, but with only two chunk plays you wonder if it’s the scheme or Book’s arm talent — or lack thereof.

Running Back: B

Solid performance by the running backs against Virginia. They ran the ball extremely well in the second half shortening the game and closing out the ‘Hoos. Tony Jones, Jr. had his best rushing performance of the season, but he was the only back who had over 5.0 yards per carry. They have some talented younger backs, and they need to step it up until Armstrong comes back from injury.

Receivers/Tight Ends: B-

Notre Dame is becoming “Tight End U” with Cole Kmet continuing a long line of great Notre Dame tight ends in the last decade and a half. The pass-catchers were solid, you have to like the fact that they didn’t leave many on the turf, but you’d like to see some throws to stress a secondary. You can only run so many crossing patterns until teams play zone and you are exposed because you can’t throw downfield — oh wait, Georgia already did that.

Offensive Line: A-

This is undoubtedly the strength of the Irish offense. It isn’t as good as the Quenton Nelson and Mike McGlinchey crew from a couple of years ago, but they are really good. They leaned on Virginia and exposed two things about their front-seven: they aren’t super deep and most of their gaudy stats came against inferior opponents.