Notre Dame Football: 3 keys to victory vs. Navy in Week 12
By Jacob Wilson
3. The Irish front seven must be on their game
Navy runs the football as well as anyone else in the country, leading the nation with 358.3 rushing yards per game. Naturally, the Midshipmen trail only Air Force in rushing attempts per game, but are much more effective as they average 6.1 yards per carry. Navy usually boasts a strong and committed rushing attack, but this year’s offense operates as a completely different animal against opposing defenses.
The Irish defense has been fairly average when it comes to defending the run this season, allowing opponents to average four yards per attempt. Opposing teams have combined for an average of 157.3 yards per game on the ground this season, placing the Irish at 64th in the country in that regard.
If the Irish are going to win this one, the defense as a whole will have to step up. However, that starts with the guys up front. Julian Okwara’s nose for the football would be ideal for this matchup, but a season-ending injury means we’ve likely seen the last of the Irish’s 2019 sack leader in a Notre Dame uniform.
Jamir Jones and Adetokunbo Ogundeji will have to step up for the Irish in Okwara’s stead, but the linebacker corps consisting of Asmar Bilal, Drew White, and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah will be the unit tied to Notre Dame’s success. Recent Notre Dame standouts at the position such as Nyles Morgan, Greer Martini, Te’von Coney, and Drue Tranquill have been tested against Navy, making it critical that this unit holds their own against this grueling and relentless offense.