SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Ian Book ran 7 yards for a touchdown with 29 seconds left to cap an 18-play, 87-yard drive and No. 16 Notre Dame pulled out a 21-20 victory against Virginia Tech on Saturday.
The Fighting Irish averted a second consecutive loss following last week's 45-14 rout at Michigan.
"That was a great character victory for our football team," Irish coach Brian Kelly said. "They endured a lot this week."
Book said the go-ahead TD on third-and-goal was a designed run.
"This week was about our team," Book said. "It was about having that strong love for each other and just going out there for one another and playing for each other."
The Irish had committed three turnovers deep in Virginia Tech territory, including a fumble at the goal line that Divine Deablo returned for a 98-yard touchdown to tie the game at 14 with 9 seconds left in the first half.
The Hokies (5-3) added a pair of field goals in the second half and the Irish missed one, leaving Notre Dame trailing by six with 3:19 remaining and the ball at its 13.
Book led a methodical drive, converting two fourth downs, including a fourth-and-10 for 26 yards to Chase Claypool that gave the Irish first-and-goal from the 7. After two incomplete passes, Notre Dame caught Virginia Tech in a blitz and Book ran away from it and darted into the end zone. Jonathan Doerer booted through the PAT for the lead and Kyle Hamilton picked off a long pass by Quincy Patterson.
