Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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Game Preview: Navy On Paper By Andrew Owens Navy Running Game Vs. Notre Dame Run Defense As always, Navy depends on its triple-option attack to move the chains and put points on the scoreboard. Through the first half of the season, the Midshipmen ranked sixth in the country with an average of 304.2 rushing yards per game. The offense runs through sophomore quarterback Keenan Reynolds, who took the reins a year ago and finished with 649 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. (He saw limited action in the season opener against Notre Dame.) He's set to shatter those marks this season; halfway through the 2013 campaign he had rushed for 453 yards and 10 touchdowns. Notre Dame had no answer for Navy's offensive scheme in 2010 in its first season under Brian Kelly, when the Midshipmen blew out the Irish 35-17 to claim their third win in four years in the series. Since that meeting, the Irish have stymied the Navy offense in 56-14 and 50-10 blowouts in 2011 and 2012, respectively. This year presents another test for defensive coordinator Bob Diaco in the second matchup against the triple option in as many weeks. To date, seven Navy players have surpassed the 100-yard rushing total in a game, including fullback Chris Swain. The sophomore reached the end zone three times and ranked second on the team in rushing yards (265) during the first six games. At 5-11 and 232 pounds, he is the program's first big fullback since Kyle Eckel in the mid-2000s. Advantage: Navy Navy Passing Game Vs. Notre Dame Pass Defense With Navy's stellar rushing numbers comes a typically putrid passing attack. Through the first half of Sophomore Chris Swain, a 5-11, 232-pound fullback, was ranked second on the team with 265 rushing yards and had three touchdowns on the ground through six games. photo courtesy navy