Navy coach Paul Johnson wants to make it clear. The team?s first victory over Notre Dame since 1963 was monumental for the program, the players and the Academy. But Navy still has three games to play, and it must win one to accept an invitation to play in the Poinsettia Bowl in San Diego on Dec. 20.
“It is a big win,” Johnson said after his team defeate Notre Dame. “I’m excited for our players. I think as a football coach, what happens is you inevitably, when you win, you never enjoy it as much as when you beat yourself up when you lose. I find myself doing that all the time.”
The Midshipmen will look to solidify their bowl plans for a school-record fifth straight year when it faces North Texas (1-7) in Denton before hosting Northern Illinois (1-8) on Nov. 17 and concluding its season against Army (3-6) at M&T Bank Stadium on Dec. 1.
For Navy, a season that was teetering on the verge of disappointment has now become one of its most memorable. However, for Navy to accomplish all of its goals this year, the Midshipmen must play in a bowl game and beat Army. Navy already accomplished its first goal of the season by retaining the Commander-In-Chief?s Trophy when Army lost to Air Force on Saturday.
“We had a celebration in the locker room and I told our guys we got to come back Monday and get ready for next week. And that’s kind of the way it is. I’m sure that when we have time to sit back and reflect on it a little bit maybe it will be a bigger deal. But right now I was just really into the game and just kind of numb that it’s over.”
Navy must now focus on North Texas, which is coming off a 48-28 loss to Middle Tennessee State onOct. 27. However, Navy junior quarterback Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada said the team?s victory over Notre Dame proved the Midshipmen have enough talented players to compete against most teams. In previous years, Navy often was overmatched when it competed against a big-name opponent.
“It’s about recruiting now,” said Kaheaku-Enhada, who connected with slot back Reggie Campbell on the eventual game-winning 25-yard touchdown pass and two-point conversion against Notre Dame. “Not just for football, not just for athletics but for the whole Academy. This opens up a lot of people’s eyes that the Naval Academy is maybe a good choice. For the young kids out there who are thinking about joining the military, it’s a great option. Number one, you get great leadership and you are around outstanding people. Number two, you can be set-up for the rest of your life.”
Against Notre Dame, Navy allowed 40 points for the fourth consecutive game, but 18 came during the three overtime periods. North Texas averages 20.3 points per game, and is led by freshman quarterback Giovanni Vizza (1,295 yards, 8 TDs, 12 INTs) and junior receiver Casey Fitzgerald (992 yards, 7 TDs.)
“Some people say, ‘This is a big game,'” said Navy defensive end Chris Kuhar-Pitters referring to when his team faces Notre Dame. “But to us, every game is a big game. And the next one is always bigger than the one before.”
