Notre Dame dominates Iowa State in the Camping World Bowl
ORLANDO, Fla. -- On a day when Tommy Rees made his debut as an offensive play-caller, the most artful strategist in No. 14 Notre Dame’s 33-9 domination of Iowa State in the Camping World Bowl, Saturday in Orlando, Fla., was Irish defensive coordinator Clark Lea.
The Notre Dame defense allowed a 23-yard run by ISU freshman Breece Hall on the Cyclones’ first offensive play, then just 22 rushing yards the rest of the game, including a single yard on the ground in the second half.
All-Big 12 second-team QB Brock Purdy, a sophomore, came into the game having set 18 school records (game, season, career) during his career and ranked fifth nationally in total offense (335.4) in 2019. The Irish defense held him to 206 total yards and a passer rating (118.8) roughly 35 points below his season average.
The Irish defense forced a first-quarter turnover after ND’s special teams did the same, and got better as the game went on.
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ISU managed just 68 yards in the second half, including five in the fourth quarter — this from the highest-ranked team nationally in total offense (18th) the Irish (11-2) had faced all season.
All of which took the pressure off Rees, elevated to play-caller after head coach Brian Kelly decided to part ways with offensive coordinator Chip Long earlier this month.
Iowa State (7-6) came into the game as one of only three Power 5 teams nationally that hadn’t lost a game by more than 14 points since the start of the 2017 season. Washington and Oklahoma were the others.
Big picture
The one-sidedness of the Irish victory and its sixth-game winning streak should finally push Notre Dame toward the top 10 in the final Amway Coaches Poll. Given the returning talent, the Irish will likely start next season in the top 10.
More importantly, Notre Dame showed what direction it plans to coax its offense, no matter who Kelly ultimately names to replace Long.
Questions answered
Kelly wasn’t shy this month about suggesting some of the chronic problems plaguing the offense were related to communication and other issues involving Long. Against the nation’s No. 35 team in rushing defense and No. 42 in total defense, his team backed up that notion.
The offensive line had, by far, its best performance since being reconfigured in early November due to injuries to starters Robert Hainsey and Tommy Kraemer. QB Ian Book was 20-of-28 for 247 yards and a TD. And the running game showed physicality in outrushing Iowa State 208-45.
Questions lingering
Is Rees the long-term answer as offensive coordinator/play-caller? He, running backs coach Lance Taylor and offensive line coach Jeff Quinn certainly earn high marks for their game-planning.
Game balls
Offense: Chase Claypool: The recently anointed Notre Dame season MVP very much looked the part in his final game in an Irish uniform. The senior wide receiver dominated with seven catches for 146 yards and a TD. He also had a fumble recovery on special teams.
Defense: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah collected nine tackles, four of which were for losses. He had three sacks, forced a QB Brock Purdy fumble, which he recovered.
Road ahead
Notre Dame opens the 2020 season Aug. 29 at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland. More immediately, Kelly needs to get some final answers regarding his 2020 roster, most notably from junior tight end Cole Kmet. The 6-foot-6, 255-pounder initially announced his intention to return but received a second-round grade from the College Advisory Committee and decided to mull that feedback. Underclassmen have until Jan. 20 to declare for the 2020 NFL Draft.
