Navy Midshipmen quarterback Blake Horvath. Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Watch: Uncharacteristic turnovers put Navy in early hole against Notre Dame

By Austen Bundy | Last updated Oct 26, 2024 1:36 PM ET

The No. 24 Navy Midshipmen are looking to shock the college football world, but they got off to a pretty shaky start on Saturday.

Navy fumbled twice in the first quarter against No. 12 Notre Dame, marking both the first time it had committed a fumble since Aug. 31 against Bucknell and its first fumbles lost all year.

Navy commits its first fumble since the season-opener on August 31

No. 12 Notre Dame leads No. 24 Navy 14-0 after scoring touchdowns on its first two drives.

@NDFootball pic.twitter.com/HP3P30g79M
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) October 26, 2024

The Fighting Irish took quick advantage of the early mistakes, jumping out to a 14-0 lead. Horvath responded with a 47-yard rushing touchdown, but two scores from Jeremiyah Love and 32-yard field goal by Zac Yoakam put the Fighting Irish up, 31-7, by halftime.

Saturday's game is being played in MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. It's the 97th edition of the long-standing rivalry.

The Midshipmen haven't won against Notre Dame since 2016, when they pulled out a close victory in Jacksonville, Florida. They've beaten the Fighting Irish just 13 times across 96 games, so an upset would be a historic moment.

Navy (6-0) is looking to keep itself in the College Football Playoff conversation with a win, as it also tries to keep pace with traditional rival, Army (7-0), in the American Athletic Conference.

Notre Dame (6-1) cannot afford a loss to a lesser foe as it also navigates its path to the playoff as an FBS independent.

Austen Bundy

Austen Bundy is a journalist and sports junkie from the Washington, D. C. area

More must-reads: