Notre Dame jumped out to a fast 14-0 lead and coasted to a 38-7 victory over the Duke Blue Devils on Saturday night. Ian Book passed for 182 yards and four touchdowns as the Irish were never seriously threatened. The defense dominated the line of scrimmage and held the anemic Duke attack to just 197 yards. The road win lifted Notre Dame to 7-2 on the season with three games remaining.
Book was told by the coaches to “Let it rip” before the game, and he responded with a confident and decisive first half performance. He threw the ball with conviction and velocity, completing 18 of 32 passes on the night and running the ball for substantial gains when the defense dropped into coverage.