GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: Notre Dame run defense vs. Navy run offense. The Midshipmen love a grueling ground attack that chews minutes of the clock and wears down defenses. It will be up to the Fighting Irish’s defense — particularly at the line of scrimmage — to force three-and-outs and allow the offense to have time to work. Otherwise, if Navy controls the time of possession, Notre Dame’s scoring opportunities will be limited.
DRAFT SLANT
–LB Drue Tranquill is a graduate senior and team captain who opened the year on the Butkus Award Watch List for the nation’s top linebacker. He has not disappointed. He has at least one tackle for loss in five of seven games this season, and he broke up two passes in an impressive win against then-No. 7 Stanford.
ROSTER REPORT:
–RB Jafar Armstrong is expected to return to action after missing the previous three games because of an infection in his knee. He has rushed for five touchdowns in four games this season.
–DB Troy Pride also is expected to return from an ankle injury that forced him to sit out against Pittsburgh. Pride is a junior who has 33 tackles and a pair of interceptions on the season.
–OL Aaron Banks has earned a starting spot at left guard in place of injured captain Alex Bars. Banks gained the trust of the coaching staff after performing well in practice.
