Irish backup QB Ian Book among five standouts at Notre Dame Blue-Gold Game
SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Brandon Wimbush and Ian Book battled in Notre Dame’s Blue-Gold Game at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, but Brian Kelly answered a question that is frequently asked around the program.
“No, there is no quarterback controversy,” Kelly said after the Gold team beat the Blue team 27-14.
Wimbush is the starter heading into the fall for an Irish team, and he had an up-and-down performance for the Blue team. Wimbush finished 22 of 32 passing for 303 yards, but he also threw two interceptions and took seven sacks, a stat hard to gauge because quarterbacks were not hit in the game.
Here’s a look at five players who stood out in the Blue-Gold Game:
Ian Book, QB
The backup quarterback played well in leading the Gold team to victory. Book finished 17 of 22 for 277 passing yards, the highlight a 37-yard strike to C.J. Sanders. A 58-yard pass to Kevin Stepherson set up another TD. The Gold team scored on its first four drives.
Kelly said Book’s development was one of the most encouraging developments of the spring.
“I’m just trying to be as confident as possible,” he said. “I know the mentality here is the next-man is, and that’s where I am right now. … If something were to happen as the next man, I think I will do a good job.”
Kelly was encouraged by Book’s performance throughout the spring and in the Blue-Gold game.
“We all came into the spring talking about…