Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1426496
www.BLUEANDGOLD.com NOV. 13, 2021 23 0 Touchdowns scored by Navy against Notre Dame for the first time in 23 years. The last time the Midshipmen failed to get into the end zone against the Fighting Irish was in a 30-0 defeat in Landover, Md., on Nov. 11, 1998. This year's game also marked the first time Navy failed to record a rush- ing touchdown against the Irish since a 50-10 loss in Ireland on Sept. 1, 2012. 10 Tackles for graduate student nose guard Kurt Hinish, a new career high. His previous personal best was five stops against Virginia Tech earlier this season. Prior to this fall, he had never recorded more than three tackles in a game. 18 Passing yards for Navy against Notre Dame, the third fewest of any Irish opponent since at least 1996 per Irish media relations. The Midship- men completed their first and only pass of the game with around 10 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. The last time the Irish held an opponent with zero completions came in a 23-14 victory over Georgia Tech on Nov. 6, 1976. 26.7 Percent conversion rate on third down (4 of 15) for the Navy offense. The Irish forced five three-and-outs against the Midship- men and recorded a safety on the second play of another series. Navy entered the game ranked 107th nationally in that category with a 35.1 percent mark. Meanwhile, Notre Dame converted 53.8 percent (7 of 13) of its third-down opportunities. 50 Of Navy's 58 offensive plays resulted in gains of five yards or less. The Midshipmen averaged only 3.2 yards per play. 54 Games between safeties recorded by Notre Dame. Prior to the fourth- quarter safety versus Navy, the last time the Irish earned a safety came in a 33-10 victory at North Carolina on Oct. 7, 2017. 70 Career receptions for junior Kyren Williams after reeling in a team-high seven passes for 36 yards against the Midshipmen. He now ranks sixth all time for career receptions by a running back at Notre Dame. 139 Receiving yards on six receptions for senior wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr., a new career high. His previous personal best was 91 yards against Florida State earlier this season. His 70-yard touchdown also represents a career-long reception. 184 Total yards allowed by Notre Dame against Navy was the fewest in the series since a 182-yard defensive performance by the Irish in a 58-21 win on Oct. 29, 1994. 272.7 Rushing yards per game, 4.9 yards per carry and 2.5 touch- downs per game was what Navy averaged in their first 10 matchups against the Brian Kelly-led Fighting Irish. In this year's victory, the Midshipmen were held to just 166 rushing yards, 3.0 yards per carry and zero touchdowns. That marked the fourth time under Kelly the Irish held Navy to less than 200 rushing yards, with the low being 149 in that aforementioned 2012 matchup. The Irish also held the Midshipmen to 178 in a 41-24 victory in 2015 and 196 in a 56-14 triumph in 2011. BY THE NUMBERS BY STEVE DOWNEY 7 Touchdowns for junior running back KYREN WILLIAMS over the last five games. He has now scored at least one touchdown in five straight contests. Williams compiled 176 all-purpose yards (95 rushing, 36, receiving, 29 on kickoff returns and 16 on punt returns) against Navy in another all- around excellent performance. PHOTO BY CHAD WEAVER