Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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Game Changer Freshman Tarean Folston's breakout performance helps Irish notch 38-34 win over Navy N By Andrew Owens otre Dame waited eight games for one of its running backs to provide a game-changing performance in an Irish victory. With Navy edging toward an upset bid, freshman Tarean Folston one-upped the Midshipmen in a back-and-forth duel with 140 yards and a fourth-quarter touchdown to clinch a 38-34 win at Notre Dame Stadium. Folston's yardage total marked the most in one game by a first-year Irish running back since Julius Jones' 146 in 1999 and fell just eight yards short of Jerome Heavens' freshman record against Georgia Tech in 1975. He recorded 112 yards in the second half to lead Notre Dame on three consecutive touchdown drives. "He was running well, and we just felt like we'd stick with him in terms of the way he was running," Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly said. "And they were blocking very well up front for him." By holding off Navy, Notre Dame (72) won its 10th straight game decided by seven points or less under Kelly. The four-point victory also avoided a fourth Midshipmen win in the last seven games of the series and the third in four matchups at Notre Dame Stadium. "If you look out at option teams, especially Navy, I'm ecstatic about getting out of here with a win in terms of the way they played today," Kelly said. "They were flawless in terms of their execution. When they're on and they're playing well, you're just really excited [to get a win]. "There are no asterisks next to this one. This is a W, and we're excited about it. We're going to have our 24-hour rule [to enjoy it]." Navy's triple-option attack gashed the Notre Dame defense for 331 rushing yards and 34 points. Five Midshipmen totaled at least 48 yards in the defeat. The Irish, however, recorded their top defensive play on fourth-and-four with Navy 31 yards away from a go-ahead and potentially game-winning score late in the fourth quarter. Sophomore quarterback Keenan Reynolds, on a reverse, pitched to senior wide receiver Shawn Lynch, who initially appeared to have an open lane to the first down marker. Junior safety Eilar Hardy — on the field in place of injured senior Austin Collinsworth — tripped up Lynch and slowed him enough for freshman Dog linebacker