Notre Dame officially enters the second half of their schedule. After a bye week, and much-needed rest, the Irish are preparing to take on an old rival Navy. This will be the 92nd meeting of the two teams. It is Notre Dame’s oldest rivalry. There is more to it than a game. Navy and Notre Dame have a special bond. That bond goes back to when Notre Dame opened it’s doors to Navy to use its facilities as training center for V-12 candidates. That’s Navy talk for a program created to produce Navy officers. This also allowed Notre Dame to stay afloat during the war.
Today, the game is played and then a mutual show of respect comes after the game. The losing team sings their Alma Mater, and then everyone goes to the winning teams section and the same thing is done. No one else shares that tradition like Notre Dame and Navy.
This year the Irish are missing a key defender of the “triple-option.” The defense has to fill the big shoes of Greer Martini. Greer was the “Navy Specialist.” Martini was the special agent on defense that made big plays against Navy. The last two years against Navy, Martini had 26 tackles. That’s just a ridiculous number of tackles. The question is. who is going to step up and fill the void?
The good news for the Irish is that Jafar Armstrong is available to play. Armstrong and Dexter Williams have not played a game together this season. That is something to watch for. Also, Sophomore Aaron Banks (Right Tackle) will get his first start at Navy. He will get to start in front of his family and friends in tightening up the offensive line.
ND at Navy 10/27/18
Jimmy-“Navy gave the Fighting Irish issues last year in the rain at Notre Dame. This year it’s beautiful San Diego. The weather is always great there. Navy returns nine starters, and are young. San Diego is a big Navy town, but there will be a big ND contingency at the neutral site.” ND wins 37-20
George-“Coming off a bye week and a prime time game once again. We all know Navy has that potent “Triple Option” play. Who is going to fill Greer Martini’s shoes? 11 tackles in 2016 against Navy and a career 15 tackles in 2017 against Navy. Navy Coach Ken Niumatalolo went up him after last years game and asked if he was graduating. Niumatalolo was thrilled when he said yes. ND wins 32-21, Special Teams plays a role in this one.
The game will air on CBS with an 8 PM EST start.
Cheers and Go Irish!
