No. 5 Notre Dame Defeats Navy 35-13 After Midshipmen Take First-Half Lead
By Brian Hradsky
FINAL: No. 5 Notre Dame 35, Navy 13
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Navy gave fifth-ranked Notre Dame a serious challenge during the first half Saturday afternoon, but the Fighting Irish scored 28 unanswered points to defeat the Midshipmen 35-13 at Gillette Stadium. Navy briefly led 13-7 late in the second quarter before Notre Dame responded with a long touchdown run and dominated the second half. The loss dropped Navy to 2-6, while Notre Dame improved to 7-1 with its ninth consecutive victory over the Midshipmen.
Quarterback Jackson Gutierrez led Navy’s rushing attack with 110 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries, helping the Midshipmen control possession throughout the opening half. However, Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr threw for 210 yards and two touchdowns, while running back Nolan James Jr. contributed 107 rushing yards and two scores. The Fighting Irish finished with 426 yards of total offense compared with Navy’s 245.
Navy Controls the Clock in the First Half
Navy opened the afternoon with an impressive 14-play possession that covered 44 yards and consumed 8 minutes, 17 seconds. Kicker Nolan Bartley completed the drive with a 38-yard field goal, giving the Midshipmen an early 3-0 advantage. The opening series demonstrated Navy’s ability to establish its rushing attack against one of the nation’s strongest defenses.
Notre Dame responded with an 11-play, 75-yard touchdown drive that ended with Carr connecting with Micah Gilbert for an 11-yard score. Spencer Porath converted the extra point to put the Fighting Irish ahead 7-3 with 1:47 remaining in the first quarter. Navy continued to emphasize its ground game rather than abandoning its offensive identity.
The Midshipmen assembled another lengthy possession in the second quarter, moving 66 yards over 16 plays and consuming 8:43. Bartley connected from 26 yards to trim Notre Dame’s advantage to 7-6 with 8:04 remaining before halftime. Navy’s ability to sustain possessions kept the Fighting Irish offense on the sideline for much of the half.
Gutierrez then directed Navy’s most productive scoring possession of the afternoon, an 11-play, 63-yard march. He finished the drive with a 2-yard touchdown run, and Bartley’s extra point gave the Midshipmen a surprising 13-7 lead with 1:52 remaining. Navy had established an effective formula for challenging the heavily favored Fighting Irish.
However, Notre Dame needed just 50 seconds to reclaim the advantage. James broke free for a 52-yard touchdown run with 55 seconds remaining in the second quarter, giving Notre Dame a 14-13 halftime lead. That explosive play completely changed the momentum entering the locker room.
Notre Dame Takes Control After Halftime
The Fighting Irish opened the second half with an 11-play, 78-yard touchdown drive that consumed 5:39. Jonaz Walton finished the possession with a 3-yard touchdown run, extending Notre Dame’s lead to 21-13. The drive demonstrated Notre Dame’s ability to combine sustained offensive execution with its explosive rushing attack.
Navy struggled to reproduce the offensive success it enjoyed during the first two quarters. Notre Dame’s defensive adjustments limited the effectiveness of the Midshipmen’s option-based running attack and prevented another sustained scoring possession. Navy managed just 56 total yards throughout the second half.
James delivered another major blow late in the third quarter when he scored on a 23-yard touchdown run. The seven-play, 69-yard possession pushed Notre Dame’s advantage to 28-13 with 3:09 remaining in the period. James finished the afternoon averaging nearly 12 yards per carry on just nine rushing attempts.
Notre Dame delivered the final touchdown five seconds into the fourth quarter when Carr connected with Jerome Bettis Jr. on a 31-yard scoring pass. Porath’s fifth successful extra point established the final 35-13 margin. Navy never scored again after taking its brief second-quarter lead.
Jackson Gutierrez Leads Navy’s Offense
Despite the loss, Gutierrez produced one of Navy’s most important individual performances against a nationally ranked opponent. The quarterback carried 28 times for 110 yards and scored the Midshipmen’s only touchdown. His ability to gain yards against Notre Dame’s defensive front helped Navy establish an early advantage.
Gutierrez also completed four of seven passes for 25 yards, although Navy’s passing game provided little additional production. Luke Hutchison led the Midshipmen in receiving with 17 yards on one reception. The offense remained heavily dependent on its rushing attack throughout the afternoon.
Navy finished with 245 total yards, 15 first downs and 32:40 in time of possession. The Midshipmen converted four of 12 third-down opportunities and two of three fourth-down attempts. Neither team committed a turnover, but Navy’s eight penalties for 86 yards created additional challenges against a talented opponent.
Defensively, Giuseppe Sessi led Navy with eight total tackles. The Midshipmen faced a Notre Dame offense that generated 25 first downs and produced multiple explosive plays. Navy’s inability to prevent those big gains ultimately overshadowed its strong opening-half performance.
Notre Dame’s Offensive Stars Make the Difference
Carr completed 19 of 29 passes for 210 yards and two touchdowns, providing Notre Dame with an effective passing attack. His touchdown connections with Gilbert and Bettis helped the Fighting Irish complement their rushing production. Notre Dame generated 426 total yards without committing a turnover.
James provided the game’s most explosive individual performance, finishing with 107 rushing yards and two touchdowns on nine carries. His 52-yard touchdown before halftime erased Navy’s lead, while his 23-yard scoring run in the third quarter extended Notre Dame’s advantage. Walton added another rushing touchdown as the Fighting Irish repeatedly capitalized on their offensive opportunities.
Bettis led Notre Dame’s receivers with six catches for 78 yards and a touchdown. His fourth-quarter score completed a run of four consecutive touchdown possessions for the Fighting Irish. Notre Dame’s offensive production proved too much for Navy to overcome.
A Historic Rivalry Continues
Saturday’s matchup marked the 99th meeting between Navy and Notre Dame, one of college football’s most historically significant rivalries. The programs maintained an uninterrupted annual series from 1927 through 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted the tradition in 2020. Notre Dame’s victory extended its current winning streak against Navy to nine games.
The rivalry carries significance beyond football because of the relationship between the Naval Academy and Notre Dame during World War II. Navy established training programs at Notre Dame during a period when the university faced severe financial challenges and declining enrollment. That partnership helped strengthen the institution and contributed to the enduring relationship between the schools.
The 2026 meeting took place at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, rather than Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis. The announced attendance was 61,293, providing a major stage for the annual rivalry. It was also Navy’s second recent neutral-site loss at Gillette Stadium after falling to Army there in 2023.
MSB Take: Navy’s First Half Offers Encouragement, but Consistency Remains a Problem
Navy’s first-half performance demonstrated that the Midshipmen can challenge elite competition when their offense operates efficiently. Their opening possessions controlled the clock, limited Notre Dame’s opportunities and produced a legitimate halftime challenge. Gutierrez showed toughness and effectiveness against a defensive unit that entered the game allowing fewer than 70 rushing yards per contest.
However, the second-half collapse exposed the difficulty Navy faces when opponents adjust to its offensive approach. The Midshipmen failed to score after halftime and surrendered 21 points in the third quarter alone. Their inability to produce explosive plays or establish an effective passing alternative allowed Notre Dame to take control.
Navy deserves credit for challenging a top-five opponent and holding a lead late in the second quarter. Nevertheless, a competitive first half cannot substitute for a complete four-quarter performance, particularly with the Midshipmen fighting to salvage their season. The coaching staff must find ways to maintain offensive production after halftime and prevent opponents from taking advantage of defensive breakdowns.
The loss leaves Navy at 2-6 with four regular-season games remaining, making postseason eligibility increasingly difficult. The Midshipmen must win their remaining games to reach six victories, although postseason eligibility can also depend on applicable NCAA rules and scheduling circumstances. Every remaining contest now carries significant importance.
What’s Next for Navy?
Navy returns home Saturday, Nov. 7, to face Temple in an American Conference matchup. The Midshipmen will look to end their losing streak and build upon the offensive success they displayed during the first half against Notre Dame. Establishing consistency across four quarters will be essential.
Notre Dame returns home to face top-ranked Miami on Nov. 7 in a matchup with major College Football Playoff implications. The Fighting Irish will enter that contest following another victory over their longtime rivals. Their offensive performance against Navy provided momentum heading into one of their biggest remaining games.
For Navy, Saturday’s result will be remembered as a missed opportunity after an impressive opening half. The Midshipmen demonstrated their ability to compete with a nationally ranked opponent, but Notre Dame’s second-half dominance ultimately decided the outcome. Navy must now turn its attention toward Temple and the remaining opportunities to improve its 2026 season.
