Notre Dame sinks Navy in a Top 25 matchup

Most experts predicted that the storied Notre Dame vs Navy rivalry game would be a hard fought, tightly contested matchup, as the two Top 25 teams played in their annual matchup. However, that would not be the case, as the Irish would jump out to an early lead and would not let off, winning the game 52-20.

Ian Book came out looking like the quarterback that most fans and experts expected to see this year, following the excellent season had as the Notre Dame starting quarterback last year. He would conduct an 11 play drive that would end in a seven yard touchdown pass to Chase Claypool to start the scoring for Notre Dame.

Khalid Kareem would force a fumble on Navy’s opening offensive drive, serving as a precursor for the stellar day that he and the Notre Dame defense would have. Ian Book would orchestrate another impressive drive, completing two passes, one for 11 yards to Lawrence Keys III, followed by a 47 yard touchdown pass on a beautifully placed pass to Chase Claypool.

The next Navy offensive drive would be marred by a sack by Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, followed by another forced fumble by Kareem, which the Irish would recover. Book and the Irish offense would take advantage of the good field position, responding with a four play drive resulting in yet another Chase Claypool touchdown to put the Irish up 21-0.

Notre Dame’s defense would force a turnover on downs on four plays on the ensuing Navy drive. Ian Book would again make the Midshipmen pay by connecting on yet another stellar pass, this time for 70 yards and a touchdown to Braden Lenzy on the first play of the drive to give the Irish a commanding 28-0 lead.

Navy would respond by getting a rare first down on the first play of their next drive, only to be stopped on fourth down and turn the ball back over to Notre Dame. Ian Book would lead the Irish offense down the field on a seven play drive that would end with a Jonathan Doerer 32 yard field goal, extending the Irish lead to 31-0.

Navy’s offense would continue to struggle on the next possession, when Drew White forced a fumble by quarterback Malcom Perry, which the Irish would recover. The result of the turnover would be an eight play, 24 yard drive that was capped off by a two yard touchdown run up the middle by Tony Jones Jr. to put Notre Dame up 38-0.

The Midshipmen would receive the kick and put together their first successful drive of the game. The drive would be a nine play, 72 yard drive that would end with a 27 yard field goal by Bijan Nichols as time expired in the first half. Notre Dame had a 38-3 lead heading to the locker rooms at halftime.

Navy would receive the ball after the half, but their fortunes would not change, as the Irish defense would force a three an out to begin the second half. The Notre Dame offense would continue to dominate, as Book would lead them down the field on a seven play 78 yard drive that would end in yet another touchdown to Chase Claypool, his fourth of the day, this time a 20 yard pass, putting the Irish up 45-3.

After Navy and Notre Dame combined to punt on their next two drives, Navy would score their first touchdown of the game on a 43 yard touchdown pass from backup quarterback Perry Olsen to Mychel Cooper, leaving Navy trailing 45-10.

The Irish would punt again on their next drive, which was quarterbacked by backup Phil Jurkovec, going three and out before the Bramblett punt. However, on the next Navy possession, Paul Moala would pick off a shovel pass intended for the running back and take it to the house for a 27 yard touchdown, putting Notre Dame up 52-10.

The Irish defense would allow a two yard rushing touchdown to quarterback Perry Olsen, on a 18 play 75 yard drive by Navy in garbage time, followed by another field goal by Bijan Nichols. Ultimately, it would not matter, as the Irish ran away with the win 52-20.

This win was arguably the most complete win by Notre Dame this season. They played well in all facets of the game and dominated a Top 25 ranked rival opponent. Despite the plethora of injuries that the Irish have suffered in recent weeks, they reminded everyone that they remain one of the elite teams in college football.