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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Saturday, November 15, 2008

Notre Dame wants some payback against Navy

Associated Press

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Navy's Eric Kettani was brought down by Temple's Evan Cooper in a game Nov. 1. Navy and Notre Dame play today at 7 a.m.

KARL MERTON FERRON | Baltimore Sun via AP

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BALTIMORE — Notre Dame is looking for revenge against Navy. Hard to believe after more than four decades of dominance by the Fighting Irish against the Midshipmen, but that's the case heading into today's game.

Navy ended its record-setting 43-game losing streak to Notre Dame last season with a thrilling 46-43 victory in triple-overtime last season.

Now the question is: Can Navy do it again?

"Why not? Let's start a streak for us," Navy fullback Eric Kettani said.

Navy has not defeated Notre Dame two years in a row since 1960-61 when Wayne Hardin was coach. The Midshipmen went 5-3 against the Fighting Irish from 1956 through 1963.

Notre Dame dominated college football's longest continuous intersectional rivalry for the next four decades most often by lopsided scores, though six times the difference was a touchdown or less.

Navy finally put an end to the longest losing streak to one opponent in college football history in 2007, when linebacker Irv Spencer led a host of teammates in stopping Notre Dame tailback Travis Thomas on a two-point conversion attempt that would've forced a fourth OT.

Navy quarterback Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada, a Kapolei High alum, tossed a 25-yard touchdown pass to Reggie Campbell on the first play of the third overtime. The two hooked up again on the two-point conversion.

Notre Dame's Travis Thomas scored on a 5-yard run, before the conversion run was stuffed.

In a spontaneous display of joy, the Navy players and coaches stormed the field at Notre Dame Stadium in wild celebration before a stunned crowd of 80,795 fans.

"Just standing on the sidelines and watching all their guys rushing the field celebrating. It's a pretty low point in my career as a player," Notre Dame safety Kyle McCarthy said. "But then again, you have to respect them and the performance they put on that game and the type of character they have on their team."

For Notre Dame, it was another embarrassing moment in a dreary season. The Fighting Irish finished 3-9.

Notre Dame (5-4) is improved this season and needs one more win to become bowl eligible — but all is not swell in South Bend, Ind. The Fighting Irish have lost three of four and fan discontent with coach Charlie Weis is rising.

Navy has no sympathy, of course.

"Different year, same old Notre Dame. They always have the same type of team, big, strong, fast," said Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo, a Radford High alum, and former player and coach at the University of Hawai'i. "They're better than they were last year. They're more experienced. They're going to want revenge on us."

Notre Dame is coming off a disappointing 17-0 road loss to Boston College. The Fighting Irish managed only 292 total yards and Weis announced this week that he'll take over play-calling duties, because offensive coordinator Mike Haywood missed several practices this week to attend a funeral.

"To pitch a goose egg is unacceptable," Weis said. "When there's a problem, and it's in an area where you can be part of the solution, I believe you help go fix it."

Jimmy Clausen and the Notre Dame offense started strong this season, piling up 430 total yards or more in four straight games for the first time since the Lou Holtz era. Clausen has fallen off since, dropping from 36th to 52nd nationally in passing efficiency.

Clausen threw four interceptions against Boston College. Navy's pass defense, ranked 104th nationally, could be the perfect tonic of the Irish.

Senior captain Jarod Bryant will start at quarterback for Navy (6-3) at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. However, Niumatalolo said sophomore Ricky Dobbs could see some action. Dobbs came off the bench to rush for 224 yards against SMU and to direct a 20-point, fourth-quarter comeback versus Temple.

Navy is second nationally in rushing at 308 yards per game.

Bryant, who will be making his sixth start this season in place of the injured Kaheaku-Enhada (hamstring), has steadily improved at running the triple-option attack. Slot back Shun White leads the Midshipmen in rushing with 834 yards and six touchdowns.