Happy Thursday - These are your Thursday Tidbits - United States Naval Academy
Leave No Some Doubt
Alright, alright; it has been two weeks for us all to stew about the mishap in the mountains. Botched spikes, uncalled penalties, limited wide receiver rotation, banal play calling, . . aside, the Playoffs begin now. If it is any consolation, the other top teams in the country have major challenges as well, and as of now, there is no clear frontrunner to win the Natty. So I am saying, “we still have a chance.”
Eight is Enough
As Miami approaches, there exists an alarming trend from Chris Ash’s defenses in bigger games. He has faced four top-20 teams (Miami, aTm, usc, and BYU) and allowed an average of 30 points per game, with Notre Dame going 1-3 in those games. Against everybody else, Ash’s defenses are giving up just 12.3 points per game and the Irish are 15-0 in those contests.
In his weekly press conference, Freeman indirectly called out Ash saying “We can’t let offenses talk us out of what we want to do defensively.” He continued, “It’s a chess match, right?.. I thought they did a much better job of being one step ahead.” It may not be an understatement to say that Ash is coaching for his ND life against Miami.
Going into Navy, ND is 88th (tied with usc) nationally in red zone defense allowing thirteen scores in fifteen trips (ten touchdowns). In the last three games (UNC, Stanford, and BYU), ND has allowed eight touchdowns in as many trips. With plenty of tape on our defense and tendencies, this statistic may be our proverbial canary in a coal mine.
According to TruMedia, BYU went 17 of 23 for 190 yards passing against Notre Dame’s zones but completed just 7 of 14 passes for 49 yards against man-to-man. Hmmmm? Over the past three seasons, ND has ranked first, first, and ninth in pass efficiency defense. The Irish are currently 35th nationally, and on Saturday, they surprisingly face the most pass efficient team on the schedule in Navy. For those looking ahead, Miami’s QB is completing over 80% of his passes.
Something isn’t adding up for the defense ranked tops in the country allowing only 235 yards per game. While this week’s game won’t reveal much, danger lurks right around the corner.
Receiver Room
Is the receiver room really this shallow? Because what happened in Provo was reminiscent of three seasons ago, when Notre Dame didn’t rotate and the passing game collapsed.
Jordan Faison, Jaden Greathouse and Micah Gilbert combined to play 235 snaps at altitude while the rest of the receivers played just two. There are fifteen scholarship receivers on the roster. Do the coaches really not have enough faith in the group to allow the core group to play five to ten snaps fewer? While Freeman claimed a level of confidence in the group, the actions speak louder than words. He did say that he wants to see more of Walton and his reserve receivers in the games, and he has told the offensive staff as much. If that is going to happen, it has to happen against Navy.
This is coaching malfeasance for not developing this group, and it will haunt the Irish as they play tougher competition.
Our Lady, Queen of Victory
In 1571, the Ottoman Empire was aggressively expanding across the Mediterranean and Europe. Pope Pius V formed a coalition of Christian states, called the “Holy League” to stop the Ottoman Navy. Prior to the battle, the faithful were asked to pray for the protection of Mary, Our Lady of the Rosary. The “Holy League” was successful in that battle.
In 1875, on one of his 50 trips across the Atlantic, Fr. Sorin’s ship became disabled and was adrift at sea for fifteen days. Knowing the story of the “Holy League,” he led his shipmates in daily prayer to Mary, eventually crediting her for their miraculous rescue.
The result was a change of plans for the Basilica, naming one side chapel the Victory Chapel. It sits adjacent to where the team celebrates mass before each game. There is also a stained glass window in the Basilica depicting that 1571 battle.
Immediately after saying the Our Father before each game, the team chaplain shouts “Our Lady, Queen of Victory,” to which the team responds “PRAY FOR US!”
It all traces back to a naval battle in 1571.
Eternal City Tip-Off
Speaking of the Pope, on Sunday morning the Irish play Villanova on the hardwood in Rome. The women enter the season ranked 13th nationally. The men’s team just enters the season.
Both games will be televised.
Navy
It has been a disappointing season for the Middies as they are 2-5 entering Saturday’s game, albeit four of their losses are by a single score.
They are the #3 rushing team in the country averaging 308 yards per game. The entire offense is centered around QB Jackson Gutierrez (8) who has rushed the ball 150 times for 869 yards through seven games. He has passed only 64 times this year, completing 32 for 692 yards.
Defensively they are rated #76 in total defense, allowing 29 points per game. Linebacker Coleman Cauley (58) leads the group with 58 tackles. They have one of the worst pass defenses in college football.
On Saturday, Navy athletics will celebrate the 100th anniversary of its only football national championship, honoring a remarkable 1926 team that finished 9-0-1 and captured a share of the national title. The Mids will wear a commemorative uniform with a special patch for the Notre Dame game in recognition of a team whose accomplishments remain one of the great chapters in Navy football history.
The jersey is a modern interpretation of the iconic “Chevron Stripe” uniform worn by Navy during the 1926 championship season. It features nine stripes across the upper body—four on the front and five on the back—symbolizing the nine victories recorded by the Midshipmen that season. The uniform features Navy’s traditional blue-and-gold color palette and pays tribute to the Naval Academy alma mater, “Navy Blue and Gold.” The song was first performed publicly in its current form on April 24, 1926, and was officially designated as the Academy’s alma mater in 1927. The words “Navy Blue and Gold” are inscribed on the interior collar of the jersey.
The Game
Saturday will mark the 99th meeting between Notre Dame and Navy. The series stands at 84-13-1 in favor of ND. The Notre Dame–Navy matchup is the most-played series in program history.
The teams play for the Rip Miller Trophy. The unconventional rivalry trophy is composed of two symmetric halves. Each program maintains possession of their half and inscribes it with the names of the team’s captains each year. The two pieces are reunited whenever possible for the weekend of the annual contest. The trophy is named after Hall of Famer Edgar “Rip” Miller, a member of the 1922–24 Irish teams and one of the Seven Mules who blocked for the legendary Four Horsemen. He later coached and served as an athletic administrator at Navy for nearly five decades.
A Notre Dame victory will be number 1,000* in program history - it seems only appropriate for it to be against Navy.
Notre Dame is favored by 30.5 with an O/U of 54.5.
The noon Eastern start on ABC will provide little drama for the Irish, as they will be able to pick their score. It is an excellent opportunity for ND to expand their receiver depth; limited opportunity for the defense to work out its ills.
Expect the Irish to win convincingly; perhaps be a little sluggish as everyone inevitably is looking ahead to next week; and go really deep on the depth chart.
Those are your Thursday Tidbits - Navy
Stay thirsty, my friends.
Go Otters and Go Irish!
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