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Notre Dame tries for 43rd straight win over Navy

Oct 24, 2006 - 8:17 PM No. 11 Notre Dame (6-1) vs. Navy (5-2), 12:00 pm EDT

BALTIMORE (Ticker) - After a shaky performance, 11th-ranked Notre Dame looks to continue its mastery of Navy when it takes on the service academy in Baltimore's M&T Bank Stadium on Saturday.

The Fighting Irish have won an NCAA-record 42 consecutive meetings with the Midshipmen, including a 42-21 triumph in South Bend last year.

The teams have played every year since 1927 - the longest continuous intersectional rivalry in the country.

Notre Dame (6-1) was a heavy favorite over UCLA last week but had to rally for a 20-17 home victory.

Brady Quinn, who completed 27-of-45 passes for 304 yards and two touchdowns, saved the Irish from a shocking defeat with a 45-yard TD toss to Jeff Samardzija with just 27 seconds left.

Samardzija had eight catches for 118 yards and two touchdowns to tie Derrick Mayes' school record of 22 career TD receptions.

Navy (5-2) has not played since getting blanked at home by No. 16 Rutgers two weeks ago, 34-0.

Quarterback and leading rusher Brian Hampton dislocated his left knee in the first quarter and is out for the year.

With its next victory, the Midshipmen will clinch a berth in the Meineke Car Care Bowl on December 30 against an Atlantic Coast Conference opponent.