There’s only so much you want to measure from the win over Navy.
The Fighting Irish were playing an overmatched opponent that can cause issues because defending the option means “assignment football”.
But, at the end of the day, Notre Dame’s 34-6 win over the Mids moved them to 8-1.
First Quarter
It was a little surprising that Notre Dame went 3-and-out on the first two possessions. The passing game got off to a slow start, in part, because there were times when Navy was dropping eight in coverage.
On Navy’s first scoring drive, the Mids got chunk yards on a reverse and converted two fourth-and-shorts but you never got the feeling that the Fighting Irish defense was having issues with the triple option offense.
The Mids took themselves out of touchdown threatening territory when they tried to pass on consecutive plays and Notre Dame got two sacks that put Navy into a 3rd and 25.
I will admit I was shocked that Navy was out of timeouts for the half with 3:46 left in the 1st quarter.
Notre Dame had a promising drive at the end of the quarter with a sack on 4th and 4. Brian Kelly decided not to go for the short field goal which, had Kelly not been aggressive all year, would be easy to criticize but this is how Notre Dame has played.
It also made because, as I said earlier, the Fighting Irish defense wasn’t struggling with Navy’s offense.
Notre Dame 0 Navy 3
Second Quarter
At the start of the quarter, Notre Dame went to Kyren Williams whose effective running opened up a nice long completion to Kevin Austin. But the Fighting Irish self-sabotaged when they committed a penalty on a pass where Michael Mayer had gotten the offense inside the 10. The drive would end with a field goal.
We finally get to see Tyler Buchner and he converts two big third downs on plays that gave the young QB options. Buchner would convert Notre Dame’s 3rd third down conversion of the drive on a quick slant to Austin.
Notre Dame scored their first touchdown of the day on the very next play.
By the way, seeing Buchner and Logan Diggs play together is a peak into the future in South Bend.
Notre Dame’s under two minute drive was a work of art. Kevin Austin would end the 5 play-95 yard drive with a 70 yard touchdown catch.
The last three drives of the half produced points.
Notre Dame 17 Navy 3
Third Quarter
Navy starts the half by getting their running backs on the perimeter. That helped lead the Mids to a field goal on a drive that took 9:44 off the clock. It was crazy to see Notre Dame’s offense off the field for so long.
All the time on the bench might have led to the, less than fruitful, first possession of the second half. Have to give the Fighting Irish defense credit. They had to come right back on the field and they forced a three-and-out.
Now the offense looks warmed up. Coan and the offense look like they’re in a rhythm this drive. Passing game getting cranked up.
Notre Dame 17 Navy 6
Fourth Quarter
Interesting that Kelly had Buchner start the 4th quarter mid-drive. The Fighting Irish didn’t convert a third down and had to punt. Curious decision there.
Notre Dame’s punt pinned the Mids back at their own one. That helped set up a safety by the defense.
Kudos to Notre Dame’s defense in the second half. After giving up the long, painful drive, they have played as solid as a defense can play.
By the way, how good is Kyren Williams? He turns a little check down pass into a first down with a little juke, change of speed and then boom (yes I know there was a post-play penalty on Notre Dame).
He capped off the drive with a beautiful 20 yard run but, unfortunately, Avery Davis suffered a non-contact injury.
Interesting note: The Mids completed their first pass in the last eight quarters of play. Ouch.
Logan Diggs caps off the drive with an 8 yard touchdown run. I love Diggs and as someone told me a couple of weeks ago, “he looks the part”.
Notre Dame 34 Navy 6
