Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com NOV. 14, 2016 25 NAVY RUNNING GAME VS. NOTRE DAME RUN DEFENSE Navy's game plan was to put pressure on Notre Dame's perimeter because it is so freshman dominated at cornerback and safety. The Midshipmen usually base their attack first on the quarterback keep or fullback dive, but it had five option pitches for 42 yards on its first series, the last a 16-yard touchdown by junior slot back Darryl Bonner. Navy uses the slot backs about 12 times per game, but it pitched or had toss sweeps versus the Irish 18 times for 118 yards, and the slots also blocked well. After Notre Dame had to honor the pitch, senior quarterback Will Worth (28 carries for 175 yards and two touchdowns) became the prominent figure, highlighted by a 60-yard run to set up his touchdown to give Navy a 14-10 lead. The Irish did do well against the straight toss sweep, and the fullbacks were limited to 32 yards on eight carries. However, the young perimeter was under constant pressure while Navy amassed 320 rushing yards (5.7 yards per carry). Advantage: Navy NAVY PASSING GAME VS. NOTRE DAME PASS DEFENSE Statistically, the edge easily goes to Notre Dame because the Midshipmen totaled only 48 yards through the air while completing 5 of 8 passes. However, there is a lot to be said for salting the game away on the final possession by first having a pass interference on Notre Dame when it was third-and-nine, and then completing a 15-yard pass to Jamir Tillman on fourth- and-six from the Irish 30. Raw stats don't always tell the story. Advantage: Notre Dame NOTRE DAME RUNNING GAME VS. NAVY RUN DEFENSE The most effective running plays in the first half actually came off the pass when junior quarterback DeShone Kizer scrambled for nine and 11 yards on third-and-nine and third-and-10 on the touchdown drive right before the half to put Notre Dame in front 17-14. After falling behind 14-10, Notre Dame made a greater commitment to run by keeping eight straight plays on the ground. Sophomore Josh Adams had a quality game with 12 carries for 73 yards, but it was a moral victory for Navy to limit the Irish to 147 rushing yards and 5.1 yards per carry after allowing 412 the week prior in a loss at South Florida. Advantage: Even NOTRE DAME PASSING GAME VS. NAVY PASS DEFENSE Senior wide receiver Torii Hunter Jr. working in the slot was effective when he caught all four Kizer completions on the game's initial series for 69 yards, the last for a 26-yard touchdown. It was mixed reviews for Kizer, who completed 19 of 27 throws for 223 yards with three touchdowns. On one hand, he didn't turn over the football and was patient and efficient with the short game, including 5-of-5 passing for 54 yards during the third quarter drive that put Notre Dame ahead 24-21. On deeper or sideline routes, though, at least four Kizer passes sailed during a skittish first half, including a deep ball to freshman wideout Kevin Stepherson, who had beaten his defender by several yards. On third-and-10 from the Navy 20 and the Irish trailing 28-24, Kizer also threw way behind Stepherson on a short crossing route that picked up only six yards. It would have been a likely first down if he had hit him in stride, instead of leading Notre Dame to kick the field goal on fourth down. Again, raw stats don't always tell the whole tale. Advantage: Notre Dame SPECIAL TEAMS Sophomore kicker Justin Yoon converted both of his field goals for Notre Dame, but the Irish penalty for having 12 men on the field when Navy punted in the third quarter while trailing 24-21 proved to be a game changer. That alone didn't lose the game for the Irish, but it was crucial. Advantage: Even THIRD-DOWN CONVERSIONS Both teams excelled, with Notre Dame going 9 of 13 (69.2 percent), while Navy was 8 of 13 (61.5 percent). The hidden figure here is that as a triple- option team Navy is more often in four-down territory and was also 4 of 5 (80.0 percent) on fourth down, including the game clincher on fourth-and-six during the closing drive. Notre Dame was 6 of 9 on third down while taking a 17-14 halftime lead. Then to start the second half, Navy senior slot back Calvin Cass Jr. raced for a 37-yard touchdown on third-and-nine. Advantage: Navy TURNOVERS Navy put the ball on the ground twice, but neither team lost a fumble or tossed an interception. Advantage: Even ANALYSIS This was one of the best exhibitions of keep-away football you will ever see. Navy limited Notre Dame to six possessions (four in the first half and two in the second), which is what teams often have in one half at a minimum. The main credit belongs to Worth, who repeatedly made the right decisions with either keeping the ball for 175 rushing yards, pitching it precisely to put pressure on the Irish flanks, or making clutch completions on third-and-nine and fourth-and-six in the fourth quarter. All that without a turnover. Players such as Worth are what make Navy a bona fide program while re- placing NCAA record holder Keenan Reynolds and Tago Smith (who suffered a career-ending injury in the season opener) at quarterback. The Mids maximize or elevate the collective body. ON PAPER REVISITED BY LOU SOMOGYI The young Irish secondary, including freshman Donte Vaughn, was put under constant pressure with Navy attacking the perimeter on pitches and sweeps. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA