Notre Dame Brushes Aside Navy

Different setting, same old story.

And this time the final score was as lopsided as the rivalry itself.

Autry Denson became Notre Dame’s career rushing leader and Jarious Jackson completed his first 12 passes as the 12th-ranked Fighting Irish defeated Navy for the 35th consecutive time, 30-0, on Saturday.

It was the first college football game at Jack Kent Cooke Stadium, but the result wasn’t any different than the previous 34 in this one-sided competition. By the time the fourth quarter got under way, many in the crowd of 78,844 had already started for the exits.

“We played hard. We just did not play well,” Navy Coach Charlie Weatherbie said.

The Irish (8-1) led, 27-0, after three quarters in easily extending their NCAA-record winning streak against Navy (3-6). The Irish lead the series, 62-9-1, and have not lost to the Midshipmen since Roger Staubach led Navy to victory in 1963.

Denson ran for two touchdowns and gained 107 yards in 25 carries.