Nov 17, 2001
By TOM COYNE
Associated Press Writer
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Terrance Howard scored two touchdowns and Notre Dame held off winless Navy 34-16 Saturday to extend its NCAA-record winning streak over the Midshipmen to 38 games.
Navy managed to stay close until Julius Jones ran untouched for a 44-yard touchdown to open a 31-16 lead with 12:10 left in the game. Jones finished with 117 yards on 24 carries for his fifth career 100-yard rushing game.
The Irish (4-5) still must win their final two games at Stanford and at Purdue to remain bowl eligible and avoid their third losing season in five years under coach Bob Davie.
The victory may have been the last game at Notre Dame Stadium for Davie, who has come under heavy criticism this season. He has a 34-24 record.
Navy (0-9) hasn’t beaten Notre Dame since Roger Staubach led the Midshipmen to a 35-14 victory in his Heisman Trophy-winning season in 1963. The Midshipmen finish their season against Army at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia.
Navy, which now trails the series 65-9-1, had narrowly missed ending its losing streak to the Irish in its last two trips to Notre Dame Stadium.
Two years ago, the Irish got a favorable spot by the officials on a fourth-and-10 late in the game en route to the winning touchdown. Four years ago, Navy’s Pat McGrew was knocked out on the Notre Dame 1 as time expired.
The Midshipmen never led Saturday against the Irish, but through three quarters the Midshipmen had 280 yards total offense to 252 for Notre Dame as quarterback Brian Madden rushed for 70 yards and threw for 105 yards more.
The Irish took control in the fourth quarter, though, outscoring the Midshipmen 10-3 and outgaining them 138 yards to 20.
Navy had a chance to close to 24-20 early in the fourth quarter, driving to the Irish 2. But after Madden was held to a loss of 1 yard on two rushes, the Midshipmen had to settle for a 20-yard field goal by David Hills, his third of the game.
The Irish answered quickly with Jones’ touchdown run. Nicholas Setta added a 32-yard field goal with 5:02 left.
Carlyle Holiday was 6-of-11 passing for 94 yards with one interception. Howard, who has played sparingly since fumbling on the first play in the season opener against Nebraska, rushed for 54 yards on 12 carries.
Madden finished with 70 yards on 22 carries and was 5-of-12 passing for 105 yards with one interception.
Despite three turnovers in the first half, including a 39-yard fumble return for a touchdown by Irish safety Gerome Sapp, Navy trailed only 17-13 at halftime.
The Irish jumped to a quick 10-0 lead, but Navy cut the lead to 10-7 as Madden connected with Gene Reese on a 43-yard pass and Madden then ran untouched for a 38-yard touchdown. The Midshipmen then forced a turnover at the Notre Dame 13 to set up a field goal to tie the score.
The Irish moved back ahead 17-10 on a 58-yard drive. After not completing a pass in the first quarter, Holiday threw a 32-yard pass to Carlos Campbell and a 16-yard pass to tight end John Owens to set up a 4-yard TD run by Howard.
The Irish had a chance to extend the lead, but on a fourth-and-1 from the 5-yard line, Howard was stopped for no gain up the middle by defensive end Dan Person.
The Midshipmen responded with a 90-yard drive and kicked a 22-yard field goal with three seconds left in the half.