Notre Dame football needs to be ready for arguably the most unique Navy offense ever
The Notre Dame defense is entering a very unique challenge this weekend against the Navy Midshipmen. This isn’t your grandpa’s Navy team, or your father’s, or even your brother’s or sister’s Navy even. Yes, there are some elements of the triple option, but there’s a lot more to it now. There are mainly three playmakers […]
The Notre Dame defense is entering a very unique challenge this weekend against the Navy Midshipmen. This isn’t your grandpa’s Navy team, or your father’s, or even your brother’s or sister’s Navy even. Yes, there are some elements of the triple option, but there’s a lot more to it now.
There are mainly three playmakers who present a huge challenge for this staunch Irish defense. Navy is averaging 44.8 points per game, and they are doing it with both the run and pass games. This Navy team has a lot more big play ability, and dynamic elements than what Notre Dame fans will be used to.
QB Blake Horvath
The junior signal caller has been tremendous for Navy this season. Running a hybrid triple option offense, Horvath has been a major running threat. In six games, he has rushed for 621 yards and 10 touchdowns, averaging 7.9 yards per carry. The big difference with this team is that Horvath has also thrown for 888 yards and 10 touchdowns, completing just under 64 percent of his passes and throwing just one interception. Horvath is a talented runner, and an outstanding decision maker.
RB Alex Tecza
Tecza is the fullback by definition, but he does a lot for this offense. You’ll see him run downhill, work to the outside in the run game, and also catch the football. He has rushed for 306 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging 6.2 yards per carry. Tecza has also hauled in four receptions for 76 yards and another score. If No. 46 is going well on Saturday, Notre Dame could be in some trouble on defense.
RB Eli Heidenreich
While he’s technically a running back, Heidenreich is also the team’s top pass catcher as well. He has already hauled in 23 receptions for 485 yards and five touchdowns, averaging an impressive 21.1 yards per catch. That reception and receiving yardage totals are more than double the next closest player on the team. Heidenreich has also rushed for 179 yards on 22 carries, a healthy average of 8.1 yards per tote. The junior is a big play waiting to happen for this Midshipman offense.
