NAVY Football No. 9. Observations from an Olde Poolie
November 4, 2007. NAVY 46 Notre Dame 44. On a brilliant fall sunny day with football-like temperatures in the mid-fifties before 80,795 fans, including about 500 Midshipmen, the “Fighting Midshipmen” from Annapolis stunned the Irish fans in the legendary stadium in South Bend to finally break a hex that has lasted 43 years. In a team meeting before the game Coach Paul Johnson told his players; “There were three factors in winning the game today. Number one, you got to believe that you can win. Number two, you got to believe that you can win. Number three, you got to believe that you can win.” And even when referee flags and good plays by Notre Dame seemed that once again it will result in a close lost to Notre Dame, the team kept clawing, scratching, and fighting till they pulled it off. Even though Notre Dame is enduring one of the worst seasons in history - they still have great athletes, great fan support, and a great tradition so this is a huge win for Navy. Most of you probably watched the four-hour long game on TV but for those who might have missed the game Old Poolie will summarize the game.
Notre Dame took the opening kick-off and methodically marched down the field seventy yards behind a 300 pound line in 9 plays to lead 7 - 0 in a little over three minutes. Navy started on their own 10. On the third play S/B Shun White fumbled after gaining 8 yards and ND got the ball on Navy’s 30. On fourth and 15 at the 15 the Fighting Irish tried a fake field goal play but Navy stopped them short and took over at the 15. The Midshipmen then executed their longest drive of the year traveling 85 yards in 19 plays, all on the ground, and consuming over 8 minutes.
Singleton scored on a one yard run. ND 7 Navy 7 early in the second quarter.
After a good KO return to Navy’s 45, Notre Dame needed 12 plays in six minutes to take the lead 14 - 7. Navy responded with a 63 yard drive in 11 plays to tie the game 14 - 14 with four minutes remaining in the half. Another good start on their own 45 and the Irish - passing on several downs - scored on a 21 yard pass with 12 seconds left to lead 21 - 14 at the half.
Navy started the second half with a 66 yard drive in 15 plays and consumed 6:37 to score. Bullen missed only his second PAT try this year. ND 21 Navy 20. Later, with Ballard getting tough yards, the Midshipmen got to the 30 but Bullen missed a 47 yard FG attempt and Notre Dame took over on their own 29. On their second play nose guard Frazier and DE Walsh sacked the QB causing a fumble which DE Kuhar-Pitters scooped up and rambled 16 yards into the end zone. Kaheaku-Enhada, behind a terrific block by guard Gabbard, plunged in for a two-point conversion and Navy led 28 - 21 with10:24 left in the game. Notre Dame answered on a 75 yard drive to tie the game 28 - 28 with 3:25 remaining. With 2 minutes left Navy had to punt (only their tenth punt of the year) and ND got the ball in Navy’s territory. A sack by LB Vela on 4th down and Navy had one more chance but had to punt with seconds left.
Overtime No.1. Navy scored on four plays. Kettani had big yards.
Notre Dame scored on a pass. 35 - 35
Overtime No.2. ND kicked a 26 yard FG to lead 38 - 35.
Bullen made a 32 yard FG to tie at 38 - 38
Overtime No. 3. On the first play Enhada threaded a 25 yard pass to Reggie Campbell (who
was urrounded by taller defenders) in the EZ. Another pass to Campbell for a two -
point conversion and Navy led 46 - 38
Notre Dame scored on a five-yard run. Navy 46 ND 44. A pass attempt for the two point
conversion was knocked down by DB Carter but the officials called interference
(a questionable call). With the ball at the 1 ½ yard line ND tried a run but a host of Navy
defenders led by Brad Wimsatt stuffed the ball carrier for a lost and the Midshipmen
CELEBRATED.
This was a real team effort. The offense was led by QB Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada, who made few mistakes, clutch catches by Campbell, t he defense stepped up - made three sacks and some critical stops. The team never quit and played to win. A GREAT WIN. Navy had 257 yards on the ground and 81 yards passing on 6-9-0. Notre Dame had 235 rushing and 140 passing on 17 - 27. For the third year in a row Notre Dame did not punt. Navy punted twice.
Next week the Midshipmen travel to Denton, Texas to play the North Texas Mean Green in a 3:30 pm start. North Texas had the day off. Interestingly six of Navy’s opponents had or have a bye week before playing Navy. North Texas is 1 - 7. Navy has 10 - 12 players on the squad from Texas so a home-coming of sorts for several Midshipmen. Air Force ran over Army in Colorado Springs yesterday 30 - 10. Air Force plays at Notre Dame next week. Navy’s Sprint Team beat Army at West Point 41 - 13 on Friday night.
Navy’s Record. (5 - 4)
Aug. 31 Navy 30 @ Temple 19
Sept. 7 @ Rutgers 41 Navy 27
Sept. 15 Ball State 34 @ Navy 31 ot
Sept 22 Navy 46 Duke 43
Sept. 29 Navy 31 Air Force 20
Oct. 10 Navy 48 @ Pittsburgh 45 (2 OT)
Oct. 20 Wake Forest 44 @ Navy 24
Oct. 27 Delaware 59 Navy 52
Nov. 3 Navy 46 @ Notre Dame 44(NBC) (3ot)
Nov. 10 @ North Texas (CSTV) 3:30 pm
Nov. 17 Northern Illinois 3:30 pm (CSTV)
Dec. 1 Army 12 pm (CBS) at Baltimore
North Texas Record (1 - 7)
Sep. 1 @ Oklahoma 79 No. Texas 10
Sept. 8 @ SMU 45 North Texas 31
Sept. 15
Sept. 22 Florida Atlantic 30 North Texas 20
Sept. 29 @ Arkansas 66 North Texas 7
Oct. 6 @ Louisiana Lafayette 38 North Texas 29
Oct. 13 North Texas 31 Louisiana Monroe 21
Oct. 20 @ Troy 45 North Texas 7
Oct. 27 Middle Tennessee 48 North Texas 28
Nov. 3 Open
Nov. 10 NAVY 3:30 pm
Nov. 17 @ Arkansas State
Nov. 24 Western Kentucky
GO NAVY, BEAT NORTH TEXAS!
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