It's hard to imagine Notre Dame needing to gain revenge on Navy. It's equally difficult to comprehend the Fighting Irish as mere four-point favorites going into their annual meeting with the Midshipmen.
However, that is the new reality now that Navy has ended its historic 43-game losing streak to Notre Dame. People are looking at this game in a different light ever since the Midshipmen stunned the Fighting Irish with a thrilling 46-43 victory in triple-overtime last season.
Now the question is: Can Navy beat Notre Dame again?
"Why not? Let's start a streak for us," Navy fullback Eric Kettani said.
Navy has not defeated Notre Dame two years in a row since 1960-61 when Wayne Hardin was head coach. The Midshipmen went 5-3 against the Fighting Irish from 1956 through 1963.
Notre Dame dominated college football's longest continuous intersectional rivalry for the next four decades - most often by lopsided scores, but by a touchdown or less on six occasions.
Navy finally ended the longest losing streak against one opponent in college football history last year when linebacker Irv Spencer led a host of teammates in stopping Notre Dame tailback Travis Thomas on a two-point conversion attempt that would have forced a fourth overtime. In response, Navy's players and coaches stormed the field in a wild celebration before a stunned crowd of 80,795 fans at Notre Dame Stadium.
"I just remember what it was like at the end of the game. They just run across the field and celebrate breaking that losing streak they've had for a long time. I don't think anyone in this building wants to feel like they felt after that game," Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen said this week.
"Just standing on the sidelines and watching all their guys rushing the field celebrating. It's a pretty low point in my career as a player," Notre Dame safety Kyle McCarthy said. "But then again, you have to respect them and the performance they put on that game and the type of character they have on their team.
For Notre Dame, it was another embarrassing moment in a season that ranks as one of the worst in program history. The Fighting Irish finished 3-9, the program's poorest record since a 2-9 campaign in 1963.
Notre Dame (5-4) is vastly improved this season and needs one more win to become bowl-eligible. The Fighting Irish started off hot by winning four of their first five, but they've since dropped three of the last four.
"Different year, same old Notre Dame. They always have the same type of team - big, strong, fast," Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo said. "They're better than they were last year. They're more experienced. They're going to want revenge on us."
Notre Dame suffered an agonizing 36-33 overtime loss to visiting Pittsburgh on Nov. 1. That's the same Panthers squad that demolished the Midshipmen 42-21 two weeks earlier.
However, Notre Dame is coming off a disappointing 17-0 road loss to Boston College. The Fighting Irish managed only 292 total yards in the shutout and head coach Charlie Weis announced this week that he'll take over play-calling duties, ostensibly because offensive coordinator Mike Haywood missed several practices this week in order to attend a funeral.
"To pitch a goose egg is unacceptable," Weis said during his Sunday press conference. "When there's a problem, and it's in an area where you can be part of the solution, I believe you help go fix it."
Clausen, a highly-touted sophomore, started strong as Notre Dame piled up 430 total yards or more in four straight games for the first time since the Lou Holtz era. However, Clausen has come back to earth the past four games, dropping from 36th to 52nd nationally in passing efficiency. Clausen still ranks 25th in the country in total offense with 256.6 yards per game.
"They're explosive. They've got wide receivers that can beat you deep, they have a huge offensive line and Clausen is throwing the ball real well. He's got a strong arm and can really pull the trigger," Navy defensive coordinator Buddy Green said.
Clausen struggled in the loss to Boston College, completing just 26 of 46 attempts for 226 yards while tossing four interceptions and no touchdowns. Nonetheless, Notre Dame possesses a potent passing attack and could get healthy in a hurry against Navy, which ranks 104th nationally in pass defense with an average of 256.7 yards allowed.
Senior captain Jarod Bryant will make his sixth start at quarterback for Navy (6-3) today at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. Bryant, who has steadily improved in terms of reading the triple-option and distributing the ball, is third on the team in rushing with 440 yards and six touchdowns.
Navy ranks second nationally in rushing offense with an average of 308 yards per game. Slot back Shun White leads the ground attack with 834 yards and six touchdowns while Kettani has contributed 673 yards and two scores.
"One of the bases for this offense is to have a bruising fullback and Kettani certainly fits that bill," Weis said. "He's a veteran player that runs hard and is very physical."
However, that is the new reality now that Navy has ended its historic 43-game losing streak to Notre Dame. People are looking at this game in a different light ever since the Midshipmen stunned the Fighting Irish with a thrilling 46-43 victory in triple-overtime last season.
Now the question is: Can Navy beat Notre Dame again?
"Why not? Let's start a streak for us," Navy fullback Eric Kettani said.
Navy has not defeated Notre Dame two years in a row since 1960-61 when Wayne Hardin was head coach. The Midshipmen went 5-3 against the Fighting Irish from 1956 through 1963.
Notre Dame dominated college football's longest continuous intersectional rivalry for the next four decades - most often by lopsided scores, but by a touchdown or less on six occasions.
Navy finally ended the longest losing streak against one opponent in college football history last year when linebacker Irv Spencer led a host of teammates in stopping Notre Dame tailback Travis Thomas on a two-point conversion attempt that would have forced a fourth overtime. In response, Navy's players and coaches stormed the field in a wild celebration before a stunned crowd of 80,795 fans at Notre Dame Stadium.
"I just remember what it was like at the end of the game. They just run across the field and celebrate breaking that losing streak they've had for a long time. I don't think anyone in this building wants to feel like they felt after that game," Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen said this week.
"Just standing on the sidelines and watching all their guys rushing the field celebrating. It's a pretty low point in my career as a player," Notre Dame safety Kyle McCarthy said. "But then again, you have to respect them and the performance they put on that game and the type of character they have on their team.
For Notre Dame, it was another embarrassing moment in a season that ranks as one of the worst in program history. The Fighting Irish finished 3-9, the program's poorest record since a 2-9 campaign in 1963.
Notre Dame (5-4) is vastly improved this season and needs one more win to become bowl-eligible. The Fighting Irish started off hot by winning four of their first five, but they've since dropped three of the last four.
"Different year, same old Notre Dame. They always have the same type of team - big, strong, fast," Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo said. "They're better than they were last year. They're more experienced. They're going to want revenge on us."
Notre Dame suffered an agonizing 36-33 overtime loss to visiting Pittsburgh on Nov. 1. That's the same Panthers squad that demolished the Midshipmen 42-21 two weeks earlier.
However, Notre Dame is coming off a disappointing 17-0 road loss to Boston College. The Fighting Irish managed only 292 total yards in the shutout and head coach Charlie Weis announced this week that he'll take over play-calling duties, ostensibly because offensive coordinator Mike Haywood missed several practices this week in order to attend a funeral.
"To pitch a goose egg is unacceptable," Weis said during his Sunday press conference. "When there's a problem, and it's in an area where you can be part of the solution, I believe you help go fix it."
Clausen, a highly-touted sophomore, started strong as Notre Dame piled up 430 total yards or more in four straight games for the first time since the Lou Holtz era. However, Clausen has come back to earth the past four games, dropping from 36th to 52nd nationally in passing efficiency. Clausen still ranks 25th in the country in total offense with 256.6 yards per game.
"They're explosive. They've got wide receivers that can beat you deep, they have a huge offensive line and Clausen is throwing the ball real well. He's got a strong arm and can really pull the trigger," Navy defensive coordinator Buddy Green said.
Clausen struggled in the loss to Boston College, completing just 26 of 46 attempts for 226 yards while tossing four interceptions and no touchdowns. Nonetheless, Notre Dame possesses a potent passing attack and could get healthy in a hurry against Navy, which ranks 104th nationally in pass defense with an average of 256.7 yards allowed.
Senior captain Jarod Bryant will make his sixth start at quarterback for Navy (6-3) today at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. Bryant, who has steadily improved in terms of reading the triple-option and distributing the ball, is third on the team in rushing with 440 yards and six touchdowns.
Navy ranks second nationally in rushing offense with an average of 308 yards per game. Slot back Shun White leads the ground attack with 834 yards and six touchdowns while Kettani has contributed 673 yards and two scores.
"One of the bases for this offense is to have a bruising fullback and Kettani certainly fits that bill," Weis said. "He's a veteran player that runs hard and is very physical."
