Notre Dame Survives Tough Road Test at Northwestern
By Luke Allen
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish went into Chicago and escaped with an impressive road win, 31-21.
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish almost squandered a 17-point lead in the fourth quarter, as they only led the Northwestern Wildcats by 3 points with less than 3 minutes to go. Then some Ian Book magic happened.
Book took off for a 23-yard scamper to put the game on ice as the Irish took a 10 point lead late in the fourth quarter. Book played another solid game for the Irish, as he completed 22 passes for 343 yards and 2 touchdowns. Book also rushed for a team-high 56 yards and a score.
After a 7-7 halftime tie, the Irish looked like they were running away with a big win after a pair of Book touchdown throws and a Justin Yoon 43-yard field goal to go up 24-7. But the Northwestern Wildcats were not going down without a fight.
After Northwestern quarterback Clayton Thorson made it only a 10 point game after tossing an early fourth quarter touchdown, the Wildcats blocked a Tyler Newsome punt to give Northwestern the ball deep in Notre Dame territory. From there, Thorson snuck in a one yard touchdown on 4th & goal.
The Irish answered with a 10-play, 4 minute drive that concluded with Ian Book’s 23-yard touchdown run to keep Notre Dame perfect at 9-0.
It was a big win for the Irish, as they look to stay in the College Football Playoff picture. Although they escaped with the win, I expect the Michigan Wolverines to jump Notre Dame for the third seed, keeping the Irish at the fourth seed. Michigan dismantled #15 Penn State 42-7 on Saturday, making a serious statement.
Number three ranked LSU was shutout by the #1 seed Alabama Crimson Tide and figure to fall out of the top four. The College Football Playoff rankings should be revealed sometime in the next few days.
The Irish prepare for a home match up against the medicore Florida State Seminoles team that has been largely underwhelming this season.