Notre Dame’s Opponents: Navy’s rebound dependent on QB progress and OL health

Few programs ebb and flow as much as the service academies do. Whether “ebb” or “flow” is considered the negative half of that phrasing, that is where the Navy Midshipmen have found themselves the last two seasons.

Flipping that trend may take more than one year, leaving Navy exposed to a third losing season in a row. At least, that would make the most sense, but head coach Ken Niumatalolo has made a habit of yo-yoing the Midshipmen back to success every other year. It just may be the pandemic season of 2020, and Navy’s openly-regretted non-contact practice habits leading into the year, should be disregarded.

Because otherwise, the Midshipmen have followed up a disappointing season (namely, 2018’s 3-10) with a successful one (2019’s 11-2). Such a jump may be too much of an ask this year, but progress could still be the baseline expectation.

2021 REVIEWThe review should focus on the 4-8 record, capped by an upset of Army. (Editor’s note: I, Douglas, made it to the Army-Navy game last December. If you ever have a chance where that opportunity is borderline convenient, take it. It was a particularly unique environment in which I enjoyed some option football.) It should point out Navy played two teams ranked in the top-five entering bowl season, Notre Dame and Cincinnati. And then this review should once again mention the Midshipmen beat Army.

But instead, time must be spent on the off-field chaos orchestrated by Navy’s athletic director. After the Midshipmen were blown out by Air Force, he insisted Niumatalolo fire offensive coordinator Ivin Jaspar. Niumatalolo managed to push back and instead only demoted Jaspar to quarterbacks coach.

That was during Jaspar’s 20th season in Annapolis. He long ago proved himself, no matter