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The Notre Dame Fighting Irish took a big step forward this season when Head Coach Brian Kelly made the tough decision to replace Brandon Wimbush as the starting quarterback with junior Ian Book. Notre Dame was 3-0 at that point, but despite a huge season opening win over the Michigan Wolverines, the Irish offense struggled in uninspired wins over the Ball State Cardinals and Vanderbilt Commodores.
Book’s elevation saw the Irish offense explode with efficiency, and it gave new new life to the playbook and playcalling of Notre Dame’s offensive coordinator, Chip Long.
With Ian Book now the face of the Notre Dame football program, Sports Illustrated put the gunslinger from California on one of their regional covers as part of the coverage for the college football playoff.
When you find out you’re on the cover of @SInow.
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) December 14, 2018
Cool huh, @ian_book23? We’re pretty proud of you.#GoIrish ☘️ #BeatTigers pic.twitter.com/N4AfvDMpdI
Notre Dame will take on the Clemson Tigers and their quarterback, Trevor Lawrence, in the Cotton Bowl on December 29th.