The 5 Best Games in Notre Dame vs. Navy History

1.  1945 Navy 6, Notre Dame 6

If World War II is why the Notre Dame-Navy game is played annually, then one of college football’s many quirks is that the most exciting game played between the Irish and Midshipmen happened just a couple of months after the end of World War II.

Another quirk, the most exciting game ever played between these two rivals was a tie game. The game was played at Municipal Stadium, in Cleveland. There was a crowd of over 82,000 in attendance. That was the most for any Notre Dame game in 1945. Despite the game being in the middle of Frank Leahy’s tenure as the Notre Dame coach, Hugh Devore coached the Irish in 1945. Leahy was actually, and ironically, serving in the U.S. Navy at the time, where he made the rank of Lieutenant. Notre Dame was ranked 2nd, and Navy ranked 3rd entering the game.

That’s quite a set-up for a very exciting game.

Notre Dame scored first, getting their touchdown off a fullback dive. It wouldn’t be until late in the 4th quarter when Navy got their touchdown, and it didn’t come on offense. Notre Dame’s All-American quarterback Frank Dancewicz threw a pick 6. No one on Notre Dame touched the Navy safety as he streaked down the field.

Still, Notre Dame had the final shot with the ball. Falling back to his left, Dancewicz completed a pass, where his receiver was stuffed at the one yard line. It was shades of the Titans-Rams Super Bowl. From there, the Navy defense stuffed the Irish offense. It was a goal line stand to preserve the tie.

Notre Dame’s No. 2 ranking held steady following the tie. That set-up a No. 1 vs No. 2 ‘Game of the Century’ match-up with Army the following week. A win would have put Notre Dame on the fast track to win the National Championship. That game disappointed. The Irish lost 48-0. Army would go on to win a National Championship after beating Navy 32-13.

Notre Dame finished the season 7-2-1, after adding a disappointing loss to Great Lakes Navy. It was a solid, albeit disappointing season overall of the Irish, as the military schools provided all of their blemishes on an otherwise strong resume. Notre Dame finished 9th in the AP Poll. Navy finished 3rd.