Led by quarterback Ian Book, wideout Chase Claypool and defensive end Khalid Kareem, Notre Dame started fast and dominated an overmatched Navy team by 52-20 on Saturday. Book connected with Claypool for four touchdowns and added a fifth to Braden Lenzy with a beautiful 75-yard rocket. Tony Jones ran for a score and Paul Moala added a defensive touchdown when he literally stole a pitch in midair by the Midshipmen.
The Fighting Irish raced to a 38-3 halftime advantage by scoring on every possession and stopping Navy’s rushing attack in its tracks. The first of two forced fumbles by Kareem stopped the Middies’ first drive after Notre Dame had taken a quick 7-0 lead, and his second big play fueled a critical sequence in which the Irish scored 28 points on just eight offensive snaps.