In the third quarter, Notre Dame got a lesson in why Navy is among the best in the country at time of possession. More than half of the frame went by before the Irish touched the football. And what did it all amount to? Not much as the Irish have a 17-6 lead going into the fourth.
With Tai Lavatai unlikely to return because of an injury suffered in the second quarter, Xavier Arline assumed quarterback duties for the Midshipmen. With him under center and what little passing game it had before now nonexistent, the offense ran, ran and ran some more. It worked as five first downs were picked up, only two of which came on third down. This long drive eventually stalled at the Irish’s 4-yard line, and Bijan Nichols kicked a 21-yard field goal to get something out of it.
Whether the long wait to see the field again affected the Irish’s offense may never be known. A case could be made for it because the unit went three-and-out. The Midshipmen took the ball back, and this time, the Irish’s defense showed, forcing a three-and-out of their own. When the offense came back out, it got just across midfield before the clock ran out on the quarter, so maybe, the Irish are on the cusp of putting this game away.
