SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book became the winningest quarterback in the history of Notre Dame football in a 45-21 win over Syracuse on Senior Day at Notre Dame Stadium.
It is Book’s 30th career win in a Fighting Irish uniform, and at 15-0 inside Notre Dame Stadium, he is undefeated when starting for the Irish at home.
“It’s a dream come true just to be able to attend Notre Dame and have a good career,” said Book. “To be able to have this be my last home game and step back for a second and to never have lost at home, it is really a team award though rather than an individual award.”
It was a slow start for the Irish as they could only muster a field goal in their first four drives. But off some help of turnovers forced by the Notre Dame defense, Book would rush for one touchdown and throw for two more in the first half to give the Irish a 24-7 lead over the Orange at halftime.
Book finished the day accounting for five touchdowns total.
“He just continues to get better each and every week,” said head coach Brian Kelly. ” He’ll probably tell you it wasn’t his “A” game. He hasn’t played his best game yet in his eyes, but he still accounted for five touchdowns and threw some great balls.”
“I want to win a national championship and if you hear my name, that is what you think of,” Book said. “We still have to go do that, so that’s what I want (Notre Dame fans to remember about me).
Both Kyren Williams and Chris Tyree had over 100 yards rushing with Tyree adding a rushing touchdown. Javon McKinley was the leading receiver for the Irish with seven catches for 111 yards and three touchdowns.
The Irish defense had a season-high four turnovers, one of them a Daelin Hayes interception.
Notre Dame has already cemented a spot in the ACC Championship Game, set for Dec. 19, as they put a close to their regular season.
After the game, Coach Kelly acknowledged those who made this season possible, given all the turmoil surrounding the coronavirus pandemic.
“We wouldn’t have gotten here without the vision that Father John Jenkins had for opening up our university,” Kelly said. “I want to thank him for giving us this opportunity to play.”
Notre Dame will face Clemson for the second time this season in the ACC Championship Game. That game will almost certainly have a spot in the College Football Playoff on the line.
