Notre Dame football has an unbelievable advantage against the Navy defense, and there are no excuses not to dominate
When you really break down the Navy Midshipmen, it is a much different conversation when you compare the offense to the defense. For the latter, this is a struggling defensive unit that hasn’t done well to stop the running game especially, letting up 162.8 rushing yards per game. The pass defense isn’t much better. This […]
When you really break down the Navy Midshipmen, it is a much different conversation when you compare the offense to the defense. For the latter, this is a struggling defensive unit that hasn’t done well to stop the running game especially, letting up 162.8 rushing yards per game. The pass defense isn’t much better.
This is a Navy defense that isn’t a good overall unit, but they do live off of forcing mistakes. There are a few prominent fixtures on that unit who have a propensity to make big plays. Here is who Notre Dame needs to do their best to limit, and avoid in some cases.
DT Landon Robinson
At just 6-0 and 285 pounds, Robinson is Navy’s version of Howard Cross III. In six games for the Midshipmen, he has recorded 29 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and two sacks. Robinson does a lot of the dirty work, and can be a little underrated due to a modest box score. If the Notre Dame interior offensive line isn’t ready, it could be a long day. Robinson plays with a lot of natural leverage, is super strong, and is relentless.
LB Colin Ramos
It feels like Ramos has been a member of the Navy team forever. He is, once again, leading the teams in tackle. So far this season, Ramos has recorded 68 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, one sack, and two passes defended. Ramos is small at 5-11 and 209 pounds, but he plays incredibly hard and has good eyes. He’s recorded 266 total tackles in his career, as well as 24 tackles for loss, seven tackles, and five forced fumbles.
CB Dashaun Peele
When it comes to creating turnovers on the Navy defense, there has been nobody better this season than Peele. Manning one of the cornerback positions, he has managed to already pull in three interceptions this season, returning two for touchdowns. In his career, Peele has recorded eight interceptions and 19 pass breakups. While he isn’t an explosive athlete, Peele is smooth and very pesky in man coverage.
S Rayuan Lane
The Lane family is extremely talented, including his younger brother Dejuan who plays for Penn State. The older Lane has played a lot of football for the Midshipmen, collecting 210 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, seven interceptions, eight forced fumbles, and 26 pass breakups. Lane consistently stuffs the stat sheet for the team, possessing really nice short area explosiveness. He has a knack for making big plays.
