Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/204831
on paper revisited Navy Running Game Vs. Notre Dame Run Defense Navy rushed 15 times for 60 yards (4.0 per carry) in the first quarter, 25 times for 147 yards in the second (5.9 yards per carry) and had 18 attempts for 93 yards (5.2 yards per carry) in the third — but was finally held to 31 yards on 12 carries in the fourth mainly because of a nine-yard loss on a near fumble. Otherwise, it was consistent, methodical surgery, too often resembling the 2010 debacle, a 35-17 Irish loss in which it surrendered 367 yards on the ground to the Midshipmen. This time, Navy finished with 331 rushing yards and 4.7 yards per carry. The fullback dive was consistent with Chris Swain and Quinton Singleton combining for 162 yards on 32 carries (5.1 yards per carry), and the three slot backs combined for 116 yards on 15 carries (7.7 yards per carry). Sophomore quarterback Keenan Reynolds superbly executed his inside duck in short-yardage situations (scoring from the 2-, 3- and 4-yard line), but that was one element of the triple option where the Irish excelled in the second half. Reynolds had 14 carries for 62 By lou somogyi yards in the first half, but his eight carries in the second netted minus-nine yards. Still, with the Irish safeties seemingly playing more off the line, Navy generally dictated the action. Advantage: Navy Navy Passing Game Vs. Notre Dame Pass Defense The Navy pass attack served its auxiliary element in the triple option, doing just enough to burn Notre Dame at least once. The 6-of-9 effort for 88 yards was highlighted by the play-action 34-yard scoring pass from Reynolds to Matt Aiken for the Mids' final lead (34-31). It was a nightmare game for Irish safeties, who had to be cognizant of guarding the alley on pitchouts, the duck inside by the quarterback and going over the top off play-action. Advantage: Even Notre Dame Running Game Vs. Navy Run Defense Junior George Atkinson III (seven carries for 74 yards) Junior tight end Ben Koyack scored for the third time in four games, hauling in a 17-yard touchdown touchdown pass in the third quarter versus Navy. photo by Bill Panzica