Notre Dame football: Enjoy the Glory of Navy's Triple Option

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Oct 23, 2021; Annapolis, Maryland, USA; Navy Midshipmen quarterback Tai Lavatai (1) looks to throw during the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

Notre Dame football: Enjoy the Glory of Navy’s Triple Option

Navy can mix in the pass as well

The Midshipmen, when they notice your safeties are creeping up too much, will run a play-action route and hit either a wide receiver or wingback running a seam route. So, they won’t complete more than a couple of passes a game, but when they do, they get chunk plays. The defense, therefore, can’t sell out to defend the run.

Navy loves to include misdirection and motion into their offense. They will also trap with their offensive line. All of this works to get linebackers to move their eyes to the wrong spot, getting them out of position, and creating lanes to run the ball in. They also only need to be so effective because of their aggressiveness on fourth down. Three yards a play is more than enough for Navy to win a game. Add to that the amount of clock they chew up and beating Navy means you nearly have to be perfect on offense.

For the Navy offense to work properly, it needs a quarterback who can run it well and effectively. A change at quarterback they made midseason to Tai Lavatai seems to have done the job. He’s tough, runs hard, and knows how to progress through his different reads.

Dec 28, 2019; Orlando, Florida, USA; A detailed view of a Notre Dame Fighting Irish helmet prior to the game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Iowa State Cyclones at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Notre Dame football vs. Navy: 3 Midshipmen who must be stopped

The Notre Dame football team is looking for win No. 8 this weekend, and to earn it, these three Navy Midshipmen must be stopped.

So, while some people might complain about the speed of the game when Navy plays, they’re wrong. Just because they haven’t modernized doesn’t mean they’re not doing something special. Sit back and enjoy the beauty of the triple option. Who knows how much longer it will survive?

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