Undefeated Notre Dame makes rare visit to Ryan Field
Following an impressive upset victory over then 20th-ranked Wisconsin last Saturday, Northwestern hosts No. 3 Notre Dame Saturday in its final nonconference regular season game.
The Wildcats (5-3) gained sole possession of first place in the Big Ten West Division following the 31-17 win against the Badgers, and now turn their sights to one of just four remaining unbeaten teams in college football in the Fighting Irish.
Northwestern’s defense played arguably its best game of the season against Wisconsin, forcing three turnovers and limiting the nation’s leading rusher, Jonathon Taylor, to only 46 yards, snapping an eight-game streak of at least 100 rushing yards.
That level of defense will need to continue for the Wildcats to knock off Notre Dame (8-0) as the Fighting Irish have multiple offensive weapons at their disposal, including quarterback Ian Book, who assumed the starting role in a 56-27 blowout at Wake Forrest on Sept. 22.
Book leads the country in completion percentage, completing 76.5 percent of his pass attempts, and has 14 touchdowns with only three interceptions, as well as 54 carries for 162 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
“He’s a stud,” Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald said of Book. “He’s started the last five games. … It’s an outstanding team and they’re ranked in the top five for a reason.”
Perhaps even more daunting for Northwestern, however, is Notre Dame’s defense, particularly the defensive line.
The Fighting Irish have playmakers up front as well as in the secondary and have forced 13 turnovers this season to go with 17 sacks and 49 tackles for losses.
“Their front is outstanding,” Fitzgerald said. “You look at all those guys that play up there — they’re very talented, they’re well-coordinated, they roll guys through. … The last front that we saw that was similar to this was Michigan. They’re just a dominant defensive front.”
Northwestern’s offensive line played arguably its best game of the season against Wisconsin, allowing only one sack, and will need another strong performance to neutralize Notre Dame’s dangerous defensive front.
“They’re long and they’re athletic,” senior offensive lineman J.B. Butler said of Notre Dame’s front line. “They’ve got really good pass rushers and they play really hard. I think it’s another good opportunity for us to take a step as an (offensive) line. We need to improve the most in order to get where we want to go, so I think it’s a good challenge for us. I know myself and the rest of the guys are excited to go up against them.”
This will be the first meeting between the two schools at Ryan Field since Sept. 25, 1976 when the Fighting Irish cruised to a 48-0 victory.