42 and Counting

Early in the game, it looked like it could be one of those Navy-Notre Dame games, the kind that made Lou Holtz say at every opportunity, "That Navy game scares the hell out of me." The Irish opened up with a 68 yard touchdown drive, but Navy responded. They drove 69 yards in 7:38, tying the game at 7. While the Irish offense had no trouble, there was some question as to whether the Irish defense could handle Navy's unorthodox offense. The game remained close until late in the second quarter when Cory Mays recovered a Lamar Owens fumble and the Irish offense capitalized. From that point, it was never close. Brady Quinn again posted Heisman-worthy numbers, completing 22/31 for 284 yards, 4 touchdowns and a pick. The win was Notre Dame's 42nd consecutive victory over the Naval Academy, a streak that extends back to the year Roger Staubach won the Heisman Trophy. After the game, Charlie Weis had his team stand behind the Midshipmen as they sang their alma mater, showing uncommon class and respect for the rival that once kept the University open when it faced the possibility of closing. This week, the two schools extended their contract to play through 2015. Fortunately, it is doubtful that the contract will ever expire.