Blue and Gold Report: Navy

Well, the bad got even worse for the Irish on Saturday.  Notre Dame fell to 3-6 on the season following a heartbreaking loss to Navy on Saturday afternoon.  

The main concern coming into the game was the young, struggling Notre Dame defense being able to contain the triple option offense that Navy runs.  Every year, the triple option gives the Irish fits in their bout with Navy.

The Irish got on the board first with a 26 yard touchdown pass from DeShone Kizer to Torii Hunter Jr.  The extra point by Justin Yoon gave the Irish a 7-0 lead over the Midshipmen.  

Navy followed with a 9 play, 73 yard drive that was capped off by a 16 yard touchdown run by Darryl Bonner.  Following the extra point, Navy tied the game at 7.  All 9 plays of the Navy drive were on the ground.

Justin Yoon kicked a 39 yard field goal in the closing minutes of the first quarter to give Notre Dame a 10-0 lead.  

In the second quarter, Navy quarterback Will Worth ran in for a 3 yard touchdown.  The score gave Worth his 8th consecutive game with a rushing touchdown.  The score gave Navy a 14-10 advantage over Notre Dame.

In the last few seconds before halftime, DeShone Kizer hit Durham Smythe on an 8 yard touchdown pass.  This would give Notre Dame a 17-14 lead that they would carry into halftime.

Calvin Cass Jr. started the scoring for the Midshipmen in the second half on a 37 -yard touchdown run.  Navy retook the lead by a score of 21-17.

DeShone Kizer found Equanimeous St. Brown for a 13 yard touchdown pass.  This was the 40th touchdown pass of DeShone Kizer's college career.  Notre Dame retook the lead 24-21.

Will Worth ran for another touchdown for Navy; this time from just a yard out.  Navy comes back to regain the lead 28-24. 

Justin Yoon kicked a 31 yard field goal for the Irish to cut the Navy lead to 1, but that's where the scoring stopped.  The Irish fall the Navy 28-27 in Jacksonville, Florida.

Navy rushed for 320 yards on 56 attempts against Notre Dame.  Quarterback Will Worth had 28 attempts for 175 yards and 2 touchdowns.  As a team, Notre Dame only acquired 148 yards via the running game.  90.4% of the Navy first downs came via the run or penalty.

Following the win over Notre Dame, Navy becomes bowl-eligible.  Notre Dame would have to win each of their remaining 3 games to become bowl-eligible (vs. Army, vs. #23 Virginia Tech, @ Southern California)