Congratulations to Navy for ending nearly half a century of frustration in their 46-44 triple overtime triumph over Notre Dame—the Midshipmen have come close more than a few times since 1963, and it was nice to see Paul Johnson’s crew get it done in South Bend. Credit an option offense run to perfection—257 yards on 66 carries keeping the Fighting Irish on their heels—and how about that call in the 3rd OT—a 25 yard pass from Kaipo-Noa Kaheauku-Enhada to Reggie Campbell for the go-ahead score.
But was another reason for Navy’s victory? The Fighting Irish threw the ball only 27 times against a school that allowed 434 passing yards to Delaware the week before. And what was the deal with Notre Dame passing up a 41-yard field goal with under a minute to play? Don’t even talk to me about the fullback dive into the line for the game-tying two point conversion. Just where did Fighting Irish coach Charlie Weis earn his reputation in the NFL? New England. Where did Patriots coach Bill Belichick grow up? You guessed it –Annapolis, where his father was a long-time assistant football coach—at NAVY. Conspiracy? I leave you to judge…but if I mysteriously disappear—you know what went down.
MARYLAND’s margin of error got ever so slimmer with a 16-13 loss at North Carolina. After winning six of seven games decided by a touchdown or less last year, the Terps are 1-3 in such games this fall—and on the precipice of postseason elimination. Coach Ralph Friedgen’s team now has to win their final three games (a 6 win team qualifies for a bowl but will likely be left out) against #8 Boston College, Florida State (the school that just ended BC’s unbeaten run) and North Carolina State (Wolfpack have won three straight).
UPSIDE—the defense held the Tar Heels in check all afternoon: 16 points, 259 total yards and 3 turnovers. Linebacker Erin Henderson notched 11 tackles and a fumble recovery while the underrated Dave Philistin added 10 stops. Kevin Barnes remains a ballhawk, tallying his fourth interception of the season. On offense Lance Ball continues to be a force with 69 yards rushing- his 6th straight 50-yard effort despite not getting more than 17 carries in any of those games, while Chris Turner’s impressed me with his downfield emphasis (just 3 passes last Saturday went to his runningbacks).
DOWNSIDE—Keon Lattimore had his roughest day of the season, gaining just 29 yards on 13 carries. The Terps committed 9 penalties and turned the ball over twice (once during a return of a Tar Heel fumble) while a hobbled offensive line remains a mess medically.
VIRGINIA’s dream season continues as Sam Swank misses a last-second field goal in the Cavaliers’ 17-16 win over Wake Forest. Six of the Cavaliers’ eight wins this fall have come by less than a touchdown—the last four by a combined six points. Coach Al Groh’s team needs just a win over Virginia Tech November 24th to clinch a trip to the ACC Championship game.
UPSIDE—Jameel Sewell threw for 225 yards while adding 47 yards rushing—despite minimal support from his running game. Mikkell Simpson continues to shine in relief of the injured Cedric Peerman, tallying 112 combined yards and a touchdown. The defense held the Demon Deacons to 2.8 yards a carry and under ten yards per completion—and when Wake was in the red zone, the Cavaliers held firm—forcing three field goals of under 32 yards.
DOWNSIDE—the Cavaliers running game, a strength all season, gained just 3.3 yards per carry—and that was with Jameel Sewell’s scrambles factored in. One also has to wonder how long the good fortune will stay in Charlottesville—they visit Miami Saturday.
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