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Notre Dame Football vs. Navy Midshipmen Gameday Primer

By Mason Plummer

DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 09: Chase Claypool #83 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Duke Blue Devils during the first quarter of their game at Wallace Wade Stadium on November 09, 2019 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 09: Chase Claypool #83 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Duke Blue Devils during the first quarter of their game at Wallace Wade Stadium on November 09, 2019 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND – AUGUST 31: Quarterback Malcolm Perry #10 of the Navy Midshipmen passes against the Holy Cross Crusaders in the second half at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on August 31, 2019 in Annapolis, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Key Offensive Player for Navy: Malcolm Perry, QB

Whenever any team faces off with Navy, the quarterback is always going to be the key player on offense. The entire Navy triple-option offense runs through the QB and his decision making. Perry’s decision making with the ball will nearly single-handedly decide how Navy fairs against Notre Dame.

On the season, Perry is 29-53 for 722 yards with 5 TDs and 3 INTs. Clearly, Perry does not throw the ball much other than just to keep the defense honest, but the Navy staff really doesn’t ask him to. Perry’s rushing stats are what really jump off the page: 157 attempts for 1,042 yards      (6.6 YPC) and 16 TDs.

Perry is very dangerous when he gets the ball in space and is shifty enough that he can make tacklers miss in space. Notre Dame’s new relatively-new linebacker corps will be tested by Perry and Co. today, no question.

Key Offensive Player for Notre Dame: Chase Claypool, WR

While Navy boasts a very good defense this season, there are not many guys on any team in the country that can match up with and shut down Chase Claypool. He is simply a freak athlete and an ultra-competitive guy that wants to take the ball to the house each and every time he touches it.

Claypool’s size, strength and frame make him nearly impossible to cover, and Navy simply does not have the athletes that can matchup with him.

The senior receiver is going to be key to Notre Dame’s success against Navy, as he is going to have to do as much as he possibly can with the ball each and every time he receives it. Navy’s style of offense drains the clock, meaning that each Notre Dame possession is vital. If the Irish want to win this game, they’re going to have to score early and often. If Notre Dame lets Navy go on long 10-12 play drives that take 8 minutes or so each, that is killer. And it makes every reception Claypool makes more crucial.

On the season, Claypool has notched 42 catches for 651 yards and five scores. Expect a big day from him today.

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