Overview
- The game is Saturday at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough with an 11 a.m. CT kickoff and a national broadcast on ABC with Bob Wischusen and Louis Riddick on the call.
- Notre Dame returns from a week off after a contentious loss to BYU in which edge rusher Boubacar Traore was ejected early, a play coach Marcus Freeman said materially hurt the team.
- Coaches spent the bye focusing on specific fixes: tighter tackling technique, more man-to-man coverage looks, and clearer linebacker roles to generate pressure and limit big plays.
- Navy presents a unique challenge because it ranks third nationally in rushing at about 307.7 yards per game and runs a ground-heavy, option-style attack led by dual-threat QB Jackson Gutierrez.
- The matchup continues a long series that Notre Dame has won eight straight times and serves as a tune-up before a crucial November game that will shape the Irish’s College Football Playoff hopes.