Niumatalolo Impressed With 2018 Irish
Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo has seen it all from Notre Dame over the years as Brian Kelly has seen it all from Navy.
On Saturday night, Niumatalolo didn’t hesitate to give props to Notre Dame following the 44-22 loss.
“Hats off to Notre Dame,” said Niumatalolo. "Really good football team. You can see why they're ranked where they're at. You just got to tip your hat to Notre Dame. Really good football team.”
Niumatalolo might know Notre Dame better than any coach on the 2018 schedule, and he even admitted this team might be different than some of the better teams in the Brian Kelly era.
It wasn’t the season-high 584 yards of offense the Irish put up or the 70 rushing yards the Notre Dame defense allowed in the first half that caught Niumatalolo’s attention.
Focus was the aspect that stood out to Niumatalolo.
“I played them many times,” stated Niumatalolo. “There’s a great sense of focus on their team. They're really good in a lot of different places. Offensively obviously really good. I thought they shut us down offensively in the first half. Sound on special teams.
“They're ranked No. 3 for a reason. Just a really solid, focused group. We played them before, played Coach Kelly's team before. This is one of his better teams.”
Navy’s triple-option attack not only impacts an opponents defense, but it changes how teams run an offense. Efficiency is the word Kelly uses during Navy week, and Notre Dame got just that from quarterback Ian Book.
Book completed 27-of-33 passes for 330 yards, two touchdowns and one interception, but the California native also added 50 yards on the ground on just six carries.
“He can run,” Niumatalolo said of Notre Dame’s QB1. “He's got a really good arm. Obviously, he can throw the football. But he's tough. If people are covered, he extends the play with his legs.”
Notre Dame also made a change at left guard as sophomore Aaron Banks moved into the starting role. Niumatalolo felt the change, and it’s likely one that the Irish will continue to benefit from during the last four games of the season.
“The change at left guard was tough, but there were a lot of other things they had going on,” said Niumatalolo. “They're a good team. We knew that coming in. We knew we had to play perfect, have some help from them. We didn’t.”