Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/200019
Game Preview: Navy punt through six games. Junior kicker/punter Kyle Brindza has quelled preseason concerns at the positions with an impressive 2013. For the Irish, kickoff and punt return coverage have been a concern. USC punt returner Nelson Agholor's returns nearly beat Notre Dame, but the defense held each time. The Irish, however, won't face an athlete of his caliber against Navy. Advantage: Notre Dame Coaching Kelly (and Diaco) endured a nightmarish loss to Navy in 2010, but the past two years have shown that the pair's struggles against the triple option have subsided. Niumatalolo led Navy to wins over Notre Dame in 2009 and 2010 (as well as a near upset in 2008), but his program has slipped from its peak a few years ago. Games that the Midshipmen consistently won under former coach Paul Johnson and early under Niumatalolo have been losses the past couple years (see defeats to Western Kentucky, Duke and Toledo in 2013). Advantage: Notre Dame Intangibles Navy typically plays its best game of the season against Notre Dame, but even that shouldn't be enough for an upset at Notre Dame Stadium this year. The Irish have too much talent for the Midshipmen and are focused on entering their season finale against Stanford with BCS aspirations. Notre Dame's defense has improved dramatically in recent weeks, but faces a triple option attack for the second straight week. If recent performances are any indication, the scheme Head coach Ken Niumatalolo led Navy to wins over Notre adjustment will be no issue for the Irish in the Dame in 2009 and 2010, but the Irish have outscored the penultimate home game of 2013. Midshipmen 106-24 the past two seasons. photo courtesy navy Advantage: Notre Dame