Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/584460
NAVY RUNNING GAME VS. NOTRE DAME RUN DEFENSE One of the top stories was how in the first half Navy's fullbacks carried 11 times for 97 yards — highlighted by 253-pound senior Quentin Ezell's 45- and 22-yard touchdown runs to tie the game at 21-21 — but in the second half they were limited to just 37 yards on 10 carries. The adjustments included using the larger-bod- ied fifth-year senior linebacker Jarrett Grace (253 pounds) in place of junior linebacker James Onwualu (232 pounds) along the flank to keep the fullback better funneled along the more congested line of scrimmage. After senior quarterback Keenan Reyn- olds' 51-yard run on the opening touchdown drive because of over-pursuit by Notre Dame's defense, the Irish also inserted fifth-year senior Matthias Far- ley at safety in place of junior Max Redfield, who did not play against Georgia Tech's triple option Sept. 19 (more so because of injury). Navy put up its usual impressive figures with 318 rushing yards and 6.5 yards per carry, but Notre Dame's defense must be credited for limiting the Midshipmen to three second-half points. ADVANTAGE: Navy NAVY PASSING GAME VS. NOTRE DAME PASS DEFENSE There was almost no effort by Navy to get the pass involved in its attack, mainly because in the first half it didn't need to while racking up 239 rushing yards. However, once Notre Dame extended its lead to 38-21, the Midshipmen attack was more out of its element, finishing only 3-of-6 passing for 22 yards with an interception. Reynolds missed some time in the game with an injury, but junior backup Tago Smith (nine carries for 47 yards) was at the throttle for the late first-half success before Reynolds returned in the second half. ADVANTAGE: Notre Dame NOTRE DAME RUNNING GAME VS. NAVY RUN DEFENSE The relatively low Irish rushing total of 178 yards is a little misleading because at least a half-dozen plays that would otherwise be considered sweeps off mo- tion had sophomore quarterback DeShone Kizer flip- ping the ball forward a few inches, making it officially a pass and enhancing his completion percentage. Senior running back C.J. Prosise (21 carries for 129 yards) had several of these receptions (four for ON PAPER REVISITED BY LOU SOMOGYI Sophomore quarterback DeShone Kizer completed a number of short shovel passes, which helped loosen up the Navy defense. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA