Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com NOV. 7, 2016 43 BY BRYAN DRISKELL NAVY RUNNING GAME VS. NOTRE DAME RUN DEFENSE Navy's overall numbers are a bit down, but the Midshipmen still ranked fourth nationally with 293.2 rushing yards per game and were averaging 5.3 yards per carry through six contests. By com- parison, Navy ran for 326.7 yards per game and 5.7 yards per carry in 2015. Considering the fact Navy lost 10 starters from its 2015 offense — including quarterback Keenan Reynolds, the NCAA's all-time leader in rushing touchdowns — the 2016 numbers are actually quite impressive. Navy scuffled a bit early in the season, includ- ing a 57-yard performance in its 28-14 loss to Air Force Oct. 1. In wins over Houston and Memphis in their next two outings, though, the Midshipmen averaged 44.0 points and 376.5 rushing yards per game. Senior quarterback Tago Smith went down with a season-ending knee injury in the opener, but his replacement — classmate Will Worth — has been excellent. Worth rushed for 489 yards and nine touchdowns in the first six games, which ranked third and second nationally among quarterbacks. Junior fullback Chris High had just five carries last season, but he racked up 392 yards (7.1 per carry) and five scores through Navy's first six games. In addition, senior slot backs Dishan Romine and To- neo Gulley combined for 447 yards (8.8 per carry). The Midshipmen have benefitted from having a bigger line than they are accustomed to. Navy's starting unit averages 299.8 pounds, with its small- est starter being senior Blake Copeland (6-4, 281). Its 2015 line averaged just 277.2 pounds. Notre Dame ranked 81st in rushing defense through seven games, giving up 180.4 yards per contest. During the first four games — with Brian VanGorder still serving as the defensive coordina- tor — the Irish gave up 201.0 yards per game on the ground. VanGorder was fired after the defense gave up 208 rushing yards to Duke, and the de- fense held its next three opponents to just 153.0 yards per game and 3.6 yards per rush. Improved play from the Irish defensive line has been a primary reason for Notre Dame's newfound success. Fifth-year senior nose guard Jarron Jones was dominant in the three games following Van- Gorder's dismissal. Advantage: Navy NAVY PASSING GAME VS. NOTRE DAME PASS DEFENSE Navy was averaging 122.2 yards per game through the air, which is 23.7 more yards per game than it notched last season. Worth completed 59.7 percent of his passes in his first six outings, which far surpasses the 51.1 percent completion rate Reynolds had the past GAME PREVIEW: NAVY On PaPer Junior fullback Chris High averaged 7.1 yards per carry while rushing for 392 yards and five touchdowns in Navy's first six contests. PHOTO COURTESY NAVY