Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/200019
Game Preview: Navy least 50 points against any opponent in three straight meetings. It has had five previous chances: • Notre Dame defeated American Medical in 1902 (92‑0) and 1903 (52‑0), but the future doctors lost only 44‑0 in 1904. Their 142‑0 loss in 1905 (with the game even shortened) ended that one-sided series. • Head coach Jesse Harper's Notre Dame units whipped his former Alma team in 1913 (62-0) and 1914 (56‑0), but the gap closed to 32-0 by 1915. • Under Hunk Anderson, Notre Dame romped against Drake in 1931 (63-0) and 1932 (62-0), but the schools did not meet again until 1937, a 21‑0 Irish shutout. • Ara Parseghian's top-five Irish teams cruised past Iowa in 1967 (56‑6) and 1968 (51-28), the last time the two programs met on the gridiron. • Finally, Lou Holtz's Notre Dame units sailed past the Midshipmen in 1993 (58-27) and 1994 (58-21). The next year, though, Navy led Notre Dame 17-14 in the second half before falling 35-17 when backup quarterback Tom Krug had to replace an injured Ron Powlus. ✦ Predictions Tom Loy: Notre Dame 27, Navy 17 The Fighting Irish will continue throwing the football in hopes of establishing an early air attack to put the game out of reach, although it would seem to make more sense on paper to run against the smaller defense. They should have success against a Navy secondary that has struggled against the pass for much of the season. Irish quarterback Tommy Rees should play very well and Notre Dame should win this one comfortably. Dan Murphy: Notre Dame 47, Navy 21 The triple option can be tricky, but the Irish got a good warm-up against Air Force in Colorado last week. The offense should also be ready to throw its weight around against another undersized defensive line. Notre Dame won't get to 50 for the third time in a row against the Midshipmen, but some of the second-team offense, including senior quarterback Andrew Hendrix, should have an opportunity to get into the action in the second half. Andrew Owens: Notre Dame 38, Navy 14 After losing three of four to Navy, the Irish have blown out the Midshipmen in each of the past two seasons. Between Brian Kelly and his staff figuring out how to stop the triple option and Navy's regression the past couple of years, expect Notre Dame to again win in decisive fashion. The opportunity exists — as it did against Air Force — to focus on a struggling rushing attack while the Irish chase BCS dreams. Lou Somogyi: Notre Dame 35, Navy 17 Generally if a Notre Dame regular on the schedule loses handily two years in a row to the Irish, I expect a tougher, more hard-fought contest the third time (see Michigan State this year). Notre Dame breezed through both of the last two meetings with the Midshipmen, so it might not be as easy the third time, especially if a healthy Keenan Reynolds can find a rhythm at quarterback to keep it competitive.