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The 5 Best Games in Notre Dame vs. Navy History

By Daniel Morrison

SOUTH BEND, IN - NOVEMBER 02: The U.S. Navy Blue Angels perform a stadium flyover before the Notre Dame Fighting Irish take on the Navy Midshipmen at Notre Dame Stadium on November 2, 2013 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - NOVEMBER 02: The U.S. Navy Blue Angels perform a stadium flyover before the Notre Dame Fighting Irish take on the Navy Midshipmen at Notre Dame Stadium on November 2, 2013 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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4. 1937 Notre Dame 9, Navy 7

Elmer Layden is an important name in Notre Dame history. That’s because he is the notable fullback of the Four Horsemen of Notre Dame. As a player, Layden was a College Football Hall of Famer and All-American. Despite being known for his rushing talent, Layden even returned two interceptions for touchdowns in the 1925 Rose Bowl.

As a coach, Layden was less successful. Layden had the job of restoring Notre Dame to its glory days under Knute Rockne. He did so by trying to emulate his mentor. He worked to build Notre Dame’s ties and reputation around the country. However, he struggled to win like Rockne did, and it would cost him his job. 47-13-3 over 7 seasons simply wasn’t good enough.

He was good enough to go 5-2 against Navy, though. That includes in 1937, when the Irish met the Midshipmen in the snow of South Bend. Navy came in with 1st year coach Hank Hardwick. Hardwick would only last two seasons, going 8-7-3 overall.

It was student body right, and student body left in front of 45,000 fans.

Navy would score first, to take a 7-0 lead. That’s when the weather calmed down, and the Irish were able to get to work. McCarthy would score for Notre Dame on a 28 yard rush. The Irish extra point was good, despite the bad footing, and it was a 7-7 football game.

Notre Dame was driving for the score to take the lead, and it seemed inevitable they’d score. Until the fumbled on the goal line. Navy would recover, and have the ball. Unfortunately, for the Midshipmen, they would need to travel nearly 100 yards to find the endzone.

Well, they would need to go 100 yards to find the right endzone at least.

Navy fumbled in their own endzone, and while they did recover it, the Notre Dame defense was still able to make the tackle in the endzone. That’s a safety, good for two points and the football. From there, Notre Dame could kill the clock.

Notre Dame used momentum from the Navy game to win on the road, against No. 4 Minnesota. They also went from a 1-1-1 team going into the Navy game to being a ranked 6-2-1 team.

Navy, who had been a solid 3-0-1 team coming into their match-up with Notre Dame, faltered and would only win one more game all season. They went 4-4-1.

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