No. 12 Notre Dame capitalized on No. 24 Navy's blunders to a stunning 51-14 victory

Navy missed the chance for an undefeated season.

The No. 24 Midshipmen failed three times in the first half and five total times, losing to No. 12 Notre Dame 51-14. The Fighting Irish converted three of those fumbles into touchdowns while Navy trailed for over 55 minutes.

Notre Dame took a 14-0 lead less than 10 minutes into the game. The Irish opened the game with a nine-play TD drive, and then Navy fumbled an option pitch on its first possession. The ball was returned to the Navy 7-yard line by Adon Shuler, and four plays later Riley Leonard found Kris Mitchell for a 6-yard TD pass.

Navy's third fumble of the game put any chance of an upset out of reach. Isaiah Bryant fumbled a Notre Dame punt with 10 minutes left in the second quarter before Notre Dame went 40 yards in nine plays, while RB Jeremiyah Love capped the drive with a 2-yard run, pushing Notre Dame's lead to 28-7 expanded.

Navy's triple-option offense has been explosive this season. It's also not made for big comebacks. And there was no way the Navy would overcome a three tank destroyer deficit. Especially because Notre Dame's offense was able to make big plays with ease.

Love had a 64-yard TD run. Jaden Greathouse had a 42-yard catch. Beaux Collins caught a 37-yard TD pass in the fourth quarter and Jordan Faison also had a 26-yard catch. Leonard even had a 24-yard run of his own.

The win was a strong statement from a Notre Dame team that is well-positioned to win and advance to the College Football Playoff after an embarrassing Week 2 loss to Northern Illinois. No. 23 Army is the only ranked team still on Notre Dame's schedule, and the Irish's only real road game for the rest of the season is the regular-season finale at unranked USC. If Notre Dame wins its final four games, the Irish will be assured of the playoffs and could even host a first-round game.

Meanwhile, Navy still has a shot at the College Football Playoff as the Midshipmen are still undefeated in the AAC. The final spot in the College Football Playoff field will likely go to the Mountain West champion and the AAC champion. If Navy is 11-1 or even 10-2 after the AAC title game, the Midshipmen could get in.