SOUTH BEND, Ind. — If the end of Notre Dame’s spring foreshadows its fall, then the Irish will lean on an explosive offense helmed by returning starting quarterback Ian Book to outpace an inconsistent at best, suspect at worst defense. Such defensive struggles should somewhat be expected with four of 2018’s starters to be drafted in two weeks, but they stand out as a deviation from coordinator Clark Lea’s first year, nonetheless.
Book picked apart Notre Dame’s defense, completing 16-of-21 passes for 220 yards and one touchdown. That stat line belies his overall efficiency, which stands out even more when realizing the quarterback’s red jersey skews the game a touch toward the defense, needing to get within only a vague arm’s reach to end a play.