Notre Dame football: Kevin Austin Jr. is dominating Navy through the air
By Brad Weiss
The Notre Dame football team has been in a battle with Navy all game long, but Jack Coan gave the Irish a two-touchdown lead right before the half.
The Notre Dame football team will need to win out if they hope to be in the discussion for the College Football Playoff, and they need to be dominant in their victories. On Saturday, the Irish welcomed the 2-6 Navy Midshipmen to Notre Dame Stadium and went into the game as 21-point favorites.
However, as has been the case all season long, the Irish struggled early on, as Navy got out to a 3-0 start before being held scoreless the rest of the way. A field goal by Johnathan Doerer tied the game, and Tyler Buchner orchestrated a drive that led to the first touchdown of the afternoon, a one-yard score from Kyren Williams.
With a 10-3 lead, and little time left in the first half, Jack Coan came in and connected with Kevin Austin Jr for a 70-yard touchdown pass. Austin is having a terrific game for the Irish, as he has already hauled in four catches for over 120 yards and a score, giving the Irish the deep threat they need against this Navy defense.
The 70-yard bomb gave the Irish a 17-3 lead going into the half, and that could be an insurmountable lead for the Notre Dame football team in this one. The Irish are playing outstanding defense against the triple-option of the Navy, and if they continue to work the run and the pass the way they have in the second quarter, it could be a long day for the Midshipmen.
On the Navy side, quarterback Tai Lavatai had to leave the game due to injury, and the team will now have to turn to Xavier Arline in the second half. That is a big blow for this Navy offense and is something the Irish defense needs to take advantage of through the final two quarters.