Irish prepare for Navy offense
Associated Press
SOUTH BEND, IND.
Schemes and gaps and discipline aside, only one thing really matters for Notre Dame’s defense this Saturday: finding a way to stop Navy and its triple option offense.
Quarterback Ricky Dobbs had 102 yards rushing in the Midshipmen’s 23-21 win in South Bend last season. That crushing defeat started a season-ending, four-game losing streak for the Irish as they bottomed out at 6-6, costing Charlie Weis his job.
“Oh my gosh. I mean, the triple option is one of the hardest offenses to defend,” Irish defensive end Kapron Lewis-Moore said Wednesday.
“They’re real disciplined and then can run it perfect to the T. ... Navy they’ve had the upper hand on us the past couple of years. It’s a new year. We’re a new team and I’m pretty sure they’re a new team.”
But Dobbs is back and so is the tricky, all-directions offense that centers on the quarterback’s ability to read before he decides what to do — pitch to one of the backs who line up near the tackles, give it inside to the fullback or keep it himself. Or fake a run and throw the ball after drawing the defense toward the line.
The game at the Meadowlands is a pivotal one for Notre Dame (4-3) in Brian Kelly’s first season. Navy has beaten Notre Dame two of the last three years after the Irish won 43 straight games in the series.
Dobbs has a team-high 379 yards rushing and five touchdowns. Although he does it sparingly, he’s also completed 39 of 78 passes for 657 yards and four more scores.
“They try to lull you to sleep and then throw one over your head. It’s the discipline that we’ll need,” Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said.
“We’ll have to stay alert at all times and that is the nature of their offense. They want you to let your guard down for one moment, and then put the ball over your head.”
Notre Dame’s scout team offense has already been working for five weeks to give the Irish defense a taste of what Navy does during practice.
“The moving parts and the timing of it and the speed at which they are moving, you’re not going to be able to simulate it,” Notre Dame defensive coordinator Bob Diaco said.