Navy football will open Week 0 of the college football season against No. 13 Notre Dame in Dublin, Ireland, on Aug. 26.
This season marks the 96th time the Midshipmen will play the Fighting Irish. The last time Navy beat Notre Dame came in 2016, when they won by a slim margin (28-27). Most recently, the two teams played at M&T Bank Stadium on Nov. 12, 2022, when the Mids scored 19 unanswered points in the second half but ultimately lost, 35-32.
Now, the Mids have a lot of optimism for a new season, as a familiar face in Brian Newberry takes on a new role. This is Newberry’s inaugural season as the Mids’ head coach. He was Navy’s defensive coordinator from 2019-2022. Newberry replaced former head coach Ken Niumatalolo last December. Under Niumatalolo, Navy posted a 109-83 mark across 15 seasons.
Here are four things to look out for in Navy’s Week 0 matchup:
1. Familiar opponent, new expectations.
Under Newberry’s direction last season, Navy ranked 32nd out of 131 FBS teams in total defense (339 yards per game) and third in rushing defense (88.9).
The Mids’ dominating rush defense held the Irish to 66 rushing yards on 34 attempts last year. Newberry feels that even though Navy held its own against Notre Dame in 2022, it should not be a factor this year.
“Last year was last year. This is a different team, a different year,” Newberry said. “I don’t think [that] last year’s performance gives us any confidence in our ability to do our job this year. I think the confidence we have right now is based on what we have been doing since December.”
2. Notre Dame gave the keys to its offense to a new but experienced quarterback.
Notre Dame has a new quarterback under center in Wake Forest transfer Sam Hartman. The 6-foot-1, 210-pound sixth-year quarterback threw for 12,967 yards and 110 touchdowns during his five-year tenure with the Demon Deacons.
Hartman posted his best statistical season in 2022, throwing for 3701 yards, 38 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, resulting in a passing efficiency rating of 159.4. Hartman had the 11th-most passing yards among FBS quarterbacks in 2022.
On the other hand, Navy ranked 98th in the FBS in passing yards allowed (250.1 yards per game) in 2022.
“The addition of Sam Hartman was a huge acquisition for them, obviously. He’s a tremendous player, tremendous leader, winner,” Newberry said.
3. Expect Navy’s team captains to show on-field leadership in this matchup and for the rest of the season.
Ahead of preseason camp, Navy announced that two players would join senior center Lirion Murtezi and senior linebacker Will Harbour as team captains: senior wide receiver Jayden Umbarger and senior defensive end Jacob Busic.
Umbarger led the Mids with 16 receptions and 265 receiving yards in 2022. Busic was tied for the team lead with two forced fumbles in 2022 and was second in sacks with six. Busic also had 38 total tackles, tops among defensive ends for the Mids.
“Everybody leads in their own way and they’re all unique and different. I think the thing you see with all four of them is they lead by example.” Newberry said. “None of them are super outspoken guys, but when they talk, their teammates listen. Highly, highly respected by their teammates.”
4. Expect snaps for multiple Navy quarterbacks in a rebranded offense.
Using multiple quarterbacks in a triple-option offense is no surprise, even with a first-year head coach and first-year offensive coordinator. Grant Chesnut had been the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach for FCS Kennesaw State since 2014 prior to being hired for the same roles at Navy.
Chesnut ran a spread-option offense at Kennesaw State, which pairs well with the triple-option approach. In 2022, Kennesaw State had the 10th-best rushing attack (232.2 yards per game) among 123 FCS programs.
Newberry is confident that the Mids have three quarterbacks that they can play against the Irish and expressed that senior quarterback Tai Lavatai has “separated himself as of late.”
Lavatai suffered a season-ending knee injury against Temple on Oct. 29, 2022. Before his injury, Lavatai had started eight games, passing for 787 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions. He also rushed for 309 yards and five touchdowns.
Another quarterback to look out for is sophomore Blake Horvath, who is expected to receive playing time as well.
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