Notre Dame Football: 3 takeaways from crushing ACC title loss to Clemson

Notre Dame Football: 3 takeaways from crushing loss to Clemson in ACC title game

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 19: Quarterback Ian Book #12 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish looks to pass in the first half against the Clemson Tigers during the ACC Championship game at Bank of America Stadium on December 19, 2020 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /

2 of 3

Dec 19, 2020; Charlotte, NC, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Ian Book (12) is sacked by Clemson Tigers cornerback Derion Kendrick (1) in the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Ian Book was bottled up all game

If there’s one thing that Ian Book does well that not all quarterbacks can do, it’s extend plays with his legs and pick up first downs with his legs. He doesn’t take a ton of sacks and he’s tough to contain because he’s athletic enough to step up in the pocket and avoid pressure. He’s always wearing defenses down with his athleticism.

In the first matchup between these two teams, Clemson struggled with Book as he had one of the best games of his career in a victory. He did it with both his arm and legs.

Not so much on Saturday afternoon.

Book finished the game with 219 passing yards and no touchdowns on 20-of-28 completions and finished with -35 rushing yards. He had one of his worst games of the season.

These struggles had a lot to do with the Fighting Irish failing to do much of anything on the ground which hasn’t happened much this season with guys like Kyren Williams, Chris Tyree and C’Bo Flemister.

The key to beating Notre Dame? Getting pressure on Book and ramping up the pressure.

Home/Notre Dame Fighting Irish