The highlights of No. 3 Notre Dame’s 44-22 victory against Navy on Saturday will feature Dexter Williams, Miles Boykin and Ian Book, somewhat per usual. After all, Williams scored three times, Boykin caught two touchdown passes and Book remained uncannily accurate
Yet, the most important part of the Irish win in San Diego came in a backroom, far from the field, when X-rays of fifth-year linebacker Drue Tranquill’s sprained ankle revealed no fracture. He did not return to the game after the first-quarter injury, but Notre Dame (8-0) did not need him to limit the Midshipmen (2-6). And aside from Tranquill’s ankle, the Irish defense appeared to avoid injury against the triple-option attack.