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Notre Dame holds on to beat Navy

Nov 16, 2008 - 2:29 AM BALTIMORE (Ticker) -- A trying week ended in nail-biting fashion for Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis, who narrowly avoided being on the sideline for another loss to Navy.

Notre Dame powered its way to a comfortable lead Saturday before barely holding on for a 27-21 victory over the Midshipmen, who almost pulled off another upset in this storied rivalry.

The Fighting Irish (6-4) nearly squandered a 20-point over the last two minutes, as Navy (6-4) scored two touchdowns after recovering a pair of onside kicks on a rain-soaked field at M&T Bank Stadium.

"I want to see if anyone wants to be on my 'hands' team this week," Weis said in his opening post-game remarks. "Any volunteers?"

But the Midshipmen saw their comeback bid end when Reggie Dobbs' fourth-down pass sailed incomplete with 22 seconds remaining.

The late rally marked a harrowing end to what previously had been a satisfying day for the embattled Weis, who has come under fire in South Bend following consecutive disappointing losses to Pittsburgh and Boston College.

In an attempt to jump-start a struggling offense that was shut out by Boston College last Saturday, Weis announced earlier this week that he would assume Notre Dame's play-calling duties - a responsibility he had relinquished this past offseason.

The move appeared to work, as the Fighting Irish piled up 230 yards on the ground in Weis' uncharacteristically conservative game plan.

"As an offensive staff, I was happy the way we worked together," a soaked Weis said. "I just want to get in there and take a shower right now."

After apparently taking control of the contest by building a 27-7 fourth-quarter lead, the Fighting Irish were forced to survive a frenetic rally from Navy, which ended its 43-game losing streak in this series with a triple-overtime win in South Bend last year.

Shun White scored on a 24-yard run with 1:53 remaining to draw the Midshipmen within 27-14.

After recovering the ensuing onside kick, Navy moved the ball to Notre Dame's 1-yard line on Dobbs' 40-yard pass to Tyree Barnes, who made an acrobatic grab and dragged his toe just inside the sideline.

Two plays later, Dobbs scored on a 1-yard keeper, narrowing the deficit to 27-21 with 1:21 still remaining.

In stunning fashion, Navy recovered another onside kick to regain possession and undoubtedly provide further tension for the drenched Weis.

The Fighting Irish, however, held on for the win after allowing Navy to drive inside the 35-yard line.

Armando Allen gained 120 yards from scrimmage and scored a touchdown for Notre Dame (6-4), which used its physical advantage to dominate the line of scrimmage throughout the contest.

With mistake-prone quarterback Jimmy Clausen limited by the inclement weather, Weis turned to the trio of Allen, James Aldridge and Robert Hughes.

Aldridge finished with a team-high 80 yards on 16 carries while Hughes ran for 64 yards and a TD on 13 attempts.

Clausen finished 15-of-18 for 110 yards but was intercepted twice.

"I was pretty nervous," the sophomore said. "We made the game a little too exciting at the end, but happy to come out with a victory."

Holding a 10-7 lead at halftime, Notre Dame pulled away in the third quarter on Allen's 11-yard TD run and Hughes' 7-yard scoring scamper.

Brandon Walker kicked his second field goal of the game, a 36-yarder, to give the Fighting Irish a 27-7 cushion with 11:17 remaining.

Navy, which entered with the second-best rushing attack in the nation, finished with just 182 yards on the ground.