Tracking Ian Book’s performance in the Rose Bowl vs. Alabama

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are squaring off against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2021 Rose Bowl for a spot in the national title game. Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book will likely need a big-time performance to stick with Alabama in this game. He put together a good season, but we’ll see if it will be enough to hang with an offense like the Crimson Tide. We’ll be tracking his performance throughout the game.

As a senior, Book put together a productive season running the Notre Dame offense, highlighted by a 47-40 double-overtime victory over Clemson earlier this year. Coming into this game, Book completed 64% of his passes for 2,601 yards with 15 touchdowns and two interceptions.

12:45 fourth quarter

Book re-enters the game at quarterback and takes over down 31-7. He is 13-17 for 105 yards and an interception so far today.

4:25 third quarter

Book appears to have been injured on a play and came off the field hurt after taking this sack. Drew Pyne replaced Book at quarterback for the next several plays.

After second quarter

Book helped lead ND to their first score of the game via a 15-play, 75-yard touchdown drive that took 8:03 off the clock. But he’s at just 10-13 for 84 yards so far. His most impressive feat so far today might be not turning the ball over in the face of all this Alabama pressure.

After first quarter

There wasn’t much Book could do with Crimson Tide defenders smelling his breath on every down, but the quarterback admirably went 2-4 for 33 yards in the first quarter. He also carried the ball four times for eight yards, mostly by running away from massive and talented young men not wearing his jersey.