No. 5 Notre Dame ended Saturday's game again Navy with a 35-13 victory at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA. However, through the first 28 minutes of the game, it appeared the Irish had been caught looking ahead to their matchup the following week against the Miami Hurricanes.
Navy dominated the first half, holding possession for 23 minutes and 22 seconds, an FBS record for a first half, but they only managed 13 points on two FGs and a single TD. Notre Dame was limited to just three possessions total in the first half, but the Irish made the most of it, scoring TDs on their first and last touches, and went into halftime up 14-13.
The Irish have been a second half team of late, and they proved it again against the Midshipmen. Adjustments at halftime boosted the Irish, with 21 points on offense, and the Middies were held scoreless in the second half. While Navy had the TOP in the first half, Notre Dame dominated the second, with nearly 20 minutes of possession.
CJ Carr was efficient, going for 210 yards on 19/29, with 2 TDs. Jerome Bettis, Jr. was the leading WR (6-78-1), and Nolan James had his second 100-yd rushing game. Drayk Bowen suffered an ankle injury, and will likely miss several weeks.
Next week (Nov. 7) Navy will play Temple in Annapolis and No. 1 Miami travels to South Bend in much anticipated top-5 matchup.
