CFB Recap: Notre Dame defeats undefeated Navy 51-14

Kathleen William October 26, 2024

There was actually some doubt from the pundits about tonight's game between the Navy Midshipmen and Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Navy was 6-0 and looked pretty explosive with their new “Sling T” offense.

And then the game turned into a slow blowout as the Middies turned the ball over six times on the day and the Irish won 51-14.

Notre Dame managed its first drive in nine plays for 75 yards and scored with a short touchdown run by Riley Leonard to make it 7-0. Leonard was 4-4 during the drive and seemed much better as a passer.

On Navy's first drive, Adon Shuler picked up a botched pitch from Blake Horvath and rumbled inside the ten-yard line. Three plays later, Leonard found a wide-open Kris Mitchell in the end zone for a 14-0 lead.

The Middies failed again on the next possession, but the Irish were unable to convert points as Zac Yakam missed a field goal. Navy got a 47-yard touchdown run from Horvath to make it 14-7, and it was an interesting game. Notre Dame responded quickly as Jeremiyah Love fired a shot to the house from 64 yards out on the next drive, making the Irish score 21-7. Love scored on a 2-yard run a few drives later to extend the lead to 28-7.

Notre Dame took a 31-7 lead into halftime, but Navy came out of the half energized and ready to try and make the game a game. The Middies scored on a 4th-and-goal run after a long Horvath run put them back in front.

Notre Dame ended all of Navy's hopes with a seven-play, 75-yard drive that ended with a beautiful 37-yard TD pass from Leonard to Beaux Collins. Navy parried the kick return and with the goalie's shadow behind him, Horvath fumbled the ball into the end zone where Jaylen Sneed fell on it, making it 44-14.

Navy only threatened to score once more, but Leonard Moore intercepted the ball in the end zone and intercepted it. With the backups on offense, freshman running back Kedron Young hit the touchdown to make it 51-14.

This is Notre Dame's third top-25 win this season, and it was emphatic.

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