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What they’re saying about Notre Dame football’s 34-6 victory over Navy

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish improved to 8-1 on the season with a 34-6 victory over the Navy Midshipmen (2-7, 2-4 AAC).

Below is a collection of reaction, celebration, and highlights from the Irish victory.

Greg Ladky and Tim Hyde, BlueandGold.com: Notre Dame post game show following the win over Navy

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Patrick Engel, BlueandGold.com:  'Force to be reckoned with' Kurt Hinish earns a deserved day of recognition

This was his moment, a well-earned day of widespread recognition after five years in the program and three seasons starting in a critical but sometimes anonymous role. The spotlight rarely shines on those who smash into 600 pounds of offensive linemen on most plays, therein freeing up teammates to make tackles and rack up the stats.

READ ENGEL’S ENTIRE STORY HERE

Tyler Horka, BlueandGold.com — Report Card: Grading Notre Dame football in Irish's 34-6 victory over Navy

Notre Dame Rushing Defense: A+

This might’ve been Notre Dame’s best performance against Navy’s triple option in all the years head coach Brian Kelly has roamed the blue and gold sideline. Part of that is due to Navy not having the best group of skill players the Midshipmen have had in the last decade plus, but the Notre Dame defense played the gaps very well against the Navy rushing attack. Graduate senior Kurt Hinish was a menace on the defensive line. The Irish linebackers cleaned up most messes that got past that level of the defense too. There weren’t many of those. Navy gained 32 yards on a reverse and 18 yards on another rushing play. Those were the only two gains of 10 or more yards on the ground for the Midshipmen.

READ HORKA’S FULL REPORT CARD HERE

Tom Noie, South Bend Tribune — ND Insider: Once again, one big play helps No. 8 Notre Dame muster needed momentum

Like when the game kind of flatlined late in the second half, and fans in the stadium did the Wave to create some energy. After two straight night home games, where the stadium took on an electricity all its own, that same juice just lacked for this one.

After that sluggish start, the offense and coordinator Tommy Rees recalibrated. After doing next to nothing on its first three drives, Notre Dame hit for 235 yards on plays and three scores (two touchdowns, field goal) its last three of the half.

READ FULL ARTICLE HERE

Douglas Farmer, NBC Sports — Notre Dame and Navy resume in familiar fashion, with Irish control in 34-6 win

Austin finished with six catches for 139 yards, Coan’s preferred target as the veteran finished with an efficient 269 yards on 23-of-29 passing. Junior running back Kyren Williams added 95 yards and two touchdowns on just 17 carries, a 5.6 yards per rush average, falling short of reaching 100 yards for a third straight week only because a penalty negated a late run.

Up until Austin’s catch-and-dash, the Irish had struggled immensely. Williams had found the end zone once, but even that came after Notre Dame opened the game with a pair of three-and-outs followed by a turnover on downs. Its first three drives gained 49 yards on 13 plays. It took until the third possession for the Irish to manage even a first down.

READ FULL ARTICLE HERE

Nick Shepkowski, Fighting Irish Wire/USAToday — No. 10 Notre Dame rolls Navy: 5 instant takeaways

3. Buchner Effect

Tyler Buchner didn’t get a ton of snaps on Saturday but I don’t think it was a coincidence that his first possession resulted in a touchdown. Navy was dropping eight men into coverage against Jack Coan early which makes life for an immobile quarterback very difficult. I was expecting to see Buchner perhaps a little sooner than we did but when he was on the field Navy had to adjust to his ability to run, something they didn’t have the athletes to do.

READ FULL ARTICLE HERE

Post Game Press Conferences:

Game Highlights:

Social Media Reaction:

Tweets from visiting recruits

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