Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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2 Times senior quarterback Everett Golson has rushed for three touchdowns in a game this year, first against Rice (Aug. 30) and now Navy. The only other two times an Irish QB scored three rushing touchdowns in a game were Paul Hornung in a 21-14 win over North Carolina in 1956 and Jarious Jackson repeating it during a 35-17 win versus Stanford in 1998. 8 Punts by Notre Dame in its last 10 meetings with Navy, dating back to 2005. The Irish did not have to punt last season against the Midshipmen and did so only once this season. 14:08 Left in the first quarter when Notre Dame junior slot receiver C.J. Pro- BY THE NUMBERS BY LOU SOMOGYI What Worked • Going vertical. Notre Dame's passing attack had been screen heavy in recent weeks, but cross- ing patterns and post routes were the order of the night versus the Midshipmen, beginning with the second play of the game on a 78-yard catch and run for a score by junior slot receiver C.J. Prosise coming across the field and hit in stride. With leading receiver Will Fuller (three catches for 16 yards) taken away by Navy, the Irish coun- tered with five completions to tight end Ben Koy- ack for 54 yards, 46- and 36-yard connections with junior speedster Chris Brown on deep balls, and sophomore Corey Robinson also snaring 19- and 15-yard passes on intermediate routes. • Riding one horse. Sophomore running back Tarean Folston has had 18, 21 and 20 carries the past three games for the Irish running attack after averaging only 8.4 per game in the first five contests. The Irish ground attack and Folston — 6.2 yards per carry and 122.3 yards rushing per game the past three contests — have developed a better rhythm to enhance the overall arsenal, contrary to the backfield-by-committee approach used at the beginning of the season. • Poise under pressure. The Irish have found themselves trailing in the fourth quarter in each of the last four games, but responded each time with strong drives directed by senior quarterback Everett Golson to regain control, including the controversial non-TD in the closing seconds at FSU. Against Navy, the 31-28 Irish deficit was an- swered with a crisp 10-play, 70-yard march and a quick-strike, two-play, 86-yard drive. What Didn't Work • Out of options. Notre Dame's defense wasn't bereft of trying different looks against Navy's po- tent ground attack and quarterback Keenan Reyn- olds' legerdemain. This included moving end Isaac Rochell inside to help stuff the fullback dive, and tackle Sheldon Day aligning at end; having even and odd fronts; starting freshmen Greer Martini and Drue Tranquill at linebacker and safety while shifting Jaylon Smith to the outside for this game to help force more QB pitchouts. Nevertheless, Navy's years of triple-option scheme flat-out ex- ecutes better than the Irish can counter with a few days of defensive preparation. • Needing a kick start. After a promising first two weeks, the return games have reverted to their non- factor form of recent years. No blocking on punt returns seem prevalent again, and the Irish were fortunate that fifth-year senior Cody Riggs recov- ered his own fumbled punt inside the Irish 20 during the fourth quarter. Two errant field goal attempts in the fourth quarter also kept Navy hopes alive. • Killer mentality. Seldom in this century has Notre Dame crushed an opponent once it has it by the proverbial jugular. It happened again when the Irish built a 28-7 first-half lead against the Midship- men — and then in a span of 13:21 suddenly found themselves trailing 31-28. — Lou Somogyi TAKING A CLOSER LOOK