It really is hard to be confident in any prediction going into the annual game against Navy, but Notre Dame did what was mostly expected and dominated the outmanned Middies who were without their starting quarterback, Blake Horvath.
Navy took the opening kick, and sent in backup quarterback Braxton Woodson to run the option attack. The Irish were up to the task right away, and forced Navy to punt after 5 plays.
It was Notre Dame’s offense that stepped up to set the tone early. CJ Carr found Malachi
Fields multiple times, and the Irish marched it down 94 yards for a 1 yard touchdown run by Jeremiyah Love.
After forcing Navy to punt on their next possession, the Irish offense got the ball back, but in what was a rare moment for the night — they were forced to punt after a 3 and out. James Rendell shanked the ball and it only went 28 yards. Navy got feisty and put together an 8 play 53 yard drive that ended with Woodson touchdown run from the 2 yard line to tie the game at 7.
While things certainly felt a little dicey, the Irish put together a 71 yard drive that ended with a short Jadarian Price touchdown run to go back up 14-7. While Notre Dame has certainly had problems with short yardage plays this year, they did extend that drive with a 4th and 1 pass from Carr to Jordan Faison — something we have been screaming for during the past few weeks.
Speaking of Faison… he was next in the scoring party as he caught a 5 yard touchdown pass to end a 68 yard drive late in the second quarter. While Notre Dame was frothing to get another score before halftime, it was Navy that put together a nice drive converting somne 3rd downs to put themselves in position to kick a field goal — which they did with just seconds left in the half to make the game going into the lockers, 21-10.
Notre Dame then scored touchdowns on all four of its 3rd quarter possesions. The first of which, was an incredible 48 yard Jeremiyah Love touchdown run that saw him take a seat, pop up, and then GO.
The next two scores came via the air by CJ Carr. One of them went to KK Smith from 34 yards out, and then an Irish tight end (Ty Washington) caught one from four yards out.
After those scores, CJ Carr took a seat and Kenny Minchey came in along with a number of backup skill players. Minchey then helped drive the Irish down the field along with running back Aneyas Williams, and it was Williams that ended the drive with a 4th down 54 yard touchdown run to make the game 49-10.
Notre Dame’s lone possession in the 4th quarter travelled 66 yards before taking a knee inside the redzone to end the game.
While Notre Dame’s offense shined all night during a downpour of rain and snow, it was the Notre Dame defense that kept this game in check. Notre Dame was led by Jaiden Ausberry who really had a fantastic game against the Naval option attack.
More to come on OFD
