Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/408565
getting into a little groove. I can't see the future, but hopefully these games continue." As long as these performances from Folston continue, there's no reason for head coach Brian Kelly to call upon senior Cam McDaniel or sophomore Greg Bryant consistently. "I thought we picked our spots re- ally well in terms of the running game, and forced them to defend the width of the field," said Kelly, who also spe- cifically praised the 30-yard reception. "We mixed it up pretty good, gave our backs some good looks, and I think our line did what they needed to do to get him going." The effort marked the second straight year that Folston's workload helped the Irish prevail in a high-scor- ing affair with Navy. In 2013 — exactly 364 days prior to the meeting at FedEx Field in Landover, Md. — the then- freshman carried the ball 18 times for 140 yards (the third-highest total for • Senior safety and team captain Austin Collin- sworth (labrum) practiced this week, made the trip to Maryland and dressed for the game, but did not see any action. Freshman Drue Tranquill made his first career start in Collinsworth's place. • With touchdowns on its first four drives, Notre Dame had scored on seven of its last eight posses- sions against the Midshipmen. The exception came at the end of the 2012 tilt — when the Irish took a knee to run out the clock. • Senior Kyle Brindza punted only once for the Irish, a 45-yarder in the third quarter. That sole occurrence is actually more than Notre Dame had punted in five of its last 10 games against Navy. Counting Brindza's boot, the Irish have now punted eight times in their contests with the Midshipmen since 2005. In five of those, Notre Dame did not punt at all. • Notre Dame improved its record to 3-0 at Fe- dEx Field, including a 2011 victory over Maryland. The Irish have won in nine of the 10 NFL stadiums they've played in, with the sole exception being Sun Life Stadium in Miami, where they lost to Alabama in the 2012 BCS National Championship Game. Ear- lier this season, Notre Dame beat Purdue at Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Indianapolis Colts. • After appearing on special teams in the sea- son's first three games, freshman wide receiver Justin Brent did not play in the last four. He played on Irish kick returns against Navy, removing any chance Notre Dame may request a medical redshirt for him. MISCELLANEOUS NOTES BIG PLAYS (25 YARDS OR MORE) Navy • 2-10 ND26 Reynolds pass complete to Wilson for 26 yards and a touchdown • 1-10 NAVY28 Reynolds pass complete to Wil- liams for 42 yards to the ND30 • 4-2 NAVY42 Copeland rush for 54 yards to the ND4 • 3-3 NAVY34 Copeland rush for 33 yards to the ND33 Notre Dame • 2-9 ND22 Golson pass complete to Prosise for 78 yards and a touchdown • 1-10 NAVY30 Folston rush for 26 yards to the NAVY4 • 2-6 NAVY40 Golson pass complete to Brown for 36 yards to the NAVY4 • 1-10 ND14 Golson pass complete to Brown for 46 yards to the NAVY40 • 1-10 NAVY25 Folston rush for 25 yards and a touchdown • 3-6 NAVY33 Golson pass complete to Folston for 30 yards to the NAVY3