Game Thread | Navy at No. 10 Notre Dame

Navy (2-6) at No. 10 Notre Dame (7-1)

Notre Dame Stadium | 3:30 p.m. ET | NBC | Notre Dame -21 | O/U: 47.5

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The Triple-Option Returns

Navy’s triple-option attack is back in South Bend after the teams took a year break from playing due to COVID scheduling last fall. The Midshipmen aren’t the team of a few years ago, but the triple-option offense always presents a challenge, especially for Notre Dame as the Irish are coming off facing two dangerous passing attacks the last two weeks.

The keys to success are going to be the same as every year for Notre Dame as discipline on defense is a must, which hasn't been a strong point for Marcus Freeman’s defense to this point. On offense, Notre Dame has to be efficient as possessions will likely be limited and one long drive by Navy can change the game as eight minutes can run off the clock in a hurry. 

Notre Dame's offense should be able to hit a fair amount of deep shots as speed is king and the Irish have it. 

Five Players To Watch

Notre Dame WR Lorenzo Styles
He keeps making plays so his targets will continue to go up. Styles may break through for his first career touchdown and his first 100-yard game may not be too far in the future.

Navy LB Diego Fagot
Maybe the best defensive player Navy has had in the last decade, he's their leading tackler and has produced 13 Havoc plays.

Notre Dame TE Kevin Bauman
He's back after missing pretty much the entire reason with a leg injury. He probably won't be too involved in the offense, but we should at least see a glimpse of why so many were excited about his potential coming out of fall camp.

Navy SB Carlinos Acie
He had a 64-yard run last week against Tulsa and for a team that is desperate to find more big plays, he should get some opportunities to create them in this matchup.

Notre Dame LB Drew White
White has been banged up all season, but has managed to play some of his best football in recent weeks. They'll need to lean on his experience playing the triple option this week.

Quotes of the Week

Notre Dame WR Lorenzo Styles:
"I didn't know a lot about receiver coming in, so I feel enrolling early really helped me a lot. There was a bunch of technical things. I always had the athletic ability, but the technical and fine details are what I really had to work on when I first came in." 

Notre Dame OL Jarrett Patterson:
"I think part of it is chemistry and working together. That time together and extra film we do at night and drills. The biggest thing is just confidence. Guys are firing off the ball and not being hesitant and I think that's the biggest thing for us." 

Notre Dame DL Jayson Ademilola:
"It slows you down because it's a different offense that you're going against. Whatever you did in the past, you have to really harp on learning this new offense and being detail-oriented.”

Notre Dame LB JD Bertrand:
"I think it'll be really fun. It seems like a really fun game, especially at my position as a linebacker. The tradition part is always a super cool part. Notre Dame has a lot of tradition and the same with Navy and bringing the two together is an exciting opportunity." 

Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly:
"I think the first rankings isn't something I really lose sleep over. I think I was a little surprised, quite frankly, that we were as low as we were and Cincinnati was as low. 

"Nothing that I lost any sleep over because it's the first week. There's so much more movement that's going to occur. Again, nothing that I got too concerned about because there is plenty of football left. 

"I can go back to 2012 where we were. We had virtually no path and ended up playing for a championship. At first, I was a little surprised, but like I said, the first one, everyone is kind of feeling it out and putting some names down on paper. There's so much more football to be played. The rankings later in the month will mean so much more." 

For Your Nerves