Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1183432
www.BLUEANDGOLD.com NOV. 16, 2019 37 During Navy's 28-27 victory in 2016: • Notre Dame had only six pos- sessions in the contest (on average a team will have at least 12, or three per quarter). According to research by the NCAA, that was the fewest by a Football Bowl Subdivision team since Nov. 25, 2008, when Northern Illinois also had only six versus — who else? — Navy. • The Irish had merely one pos- session apiece in the third quarter (a touchdown drive that lasted 5:17) and in the fourth quarter (a field goal march that took 4:29). • After Notre Dame converted that field goal to cut the deficit to 28-27 with 7:28 remaining, Navy ran out the clock on the game's final series following the Irish kickoff. On the previous Midshipmen possession, it had used exactly 9:00 on its touch- down drive to take a 28-24 lead. There is an enormous disparity in NFL talent level between the two teams, but the Navy scheme keeps it competitive and a tough out for just about everyone. It begins at quarterback, and Navy has had maestros there with Ricky Dobbs (2007-10), who beat the Irish twice, Keenan Reynolds (2012-15), the NCAA record holder for touch- downs scored (88) and fifth in the Heisman balloting in his final cam- paign, and now senior Malcolm Perry. During Navy's 7-1 start, Perry av- eraged 130.3 rushing yards per game at 6.6 yard per carry with 16 touch- downs, and his 29 completions off play-action averaged 24.9 yards. MASSIVE MAKEOVER Now in his 12th season as the head coach of the Naval Academy, Ken Niumatalolo's era has bounced back with a vengeance just when it seemed college football had "figured out" the Midshipmen scheme. In 2017, Navy fell to 7-6, which marked only the second time in 15 seasons the Midshipmen had more than five losses (5-7 in 2011). Then in 2018 the Niumatalolo era plummeted to its nadir with a 3-10 mark — and above all a third straight defeat ver- sus Army after having defeated the Black Knights 14 straight years from 2002-15. First under head coach Johnson (2002-07) and then successor Niuma- talolo (2008-present), Navy has be- come one of the nation's most over- achieving programs, highlighted by the 11-2 finish in 2015 and No. 18 placement in the final Associated Press poll, its highest since No. 2 in 1963 with Heisman Trophy winner Roger Staubach at quarterback. Much like Notre Dame's drop to 4-8 in 2016, Niumatalolo did a mas- sive overhaul of the infrastructure by hiring seven new assistants to revamp the program that needed a shakeup. Headlining the change was new de- fensive coordinator Brian Newberry from Kennesaw State, with longtime Power Five assistant Brian Norwood co-coordinating the unit while also instructing the cornerbacks. Continuing to run the ball effec- tively remains a staple of the program, but the work of the defense is even more conspicuous with a No. 16 rank- ing in scoring defense (18.1 points per game) during the 7-1 start. ✦ GAME PREVIEW: NAVY Senior safety Elan Nash is part of an improved Navy defense that ranked 16th in the country in points allowed per game (18.1) through 10 weeks. PHOTO COURTESY NAVAL ACADEMY ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION Predictions Todd Burlage: Notre Dame 30, Navy 27 Navy comes to Notre Dame ranked first nationally in rushing yards per game (357.9), on a five-game winning streak and off a bye week. The Irish have won seven of eight in the series, but seldom has it come easily against the pesky Midshipmen during that time. Vince DeDario: Notre Dame 28, Navy 14 Possessions against Navy are always at a premium and I am not convinced the offense will score on all of them this year. The defense will play well enough to get the win, but will give up the typical run plays and occasional play-action pass. The final score will be closer than it should be. Andrew Mentock: Notre Dame 27, Navy 24 The Midshipmen have bounced back from a 3-10 season in 2018 and have just one loss this year largely due to a well-rounded defense. This game is back and forth the whole way through, and most of the points come off explosive plays from both offenses. To win, Notre Dame kicks a late field goal. Mike Singer: Notre Dame 23, Navy 20 Navy's schedule isn't great, but they are still a really good football team. The triple option will be tough to defend and they put up a lot of points once they find a rhythm. I'll still take the Irish, but in a close one. Lou Somogyi: Notre Dame 38, Navy 28 If Notre Dame can get nine possessions, I anticipate as long as the ball is protected it can get at least six scores. This game is not about whether Navy can move the ball, because it will. It comes down to whether the Midshipmen can make stops on defense.