This matchup was expected to be tough. It was anticipated to be challenging.

However, Saturday at MetLife Stadium turned out to be quite different for No. 11 Notre Dame as they easily encountered little resistance from No. 24 Navy.

It was a commanding performance.

Amidst the vastness of the New York skyline, Notre Dame effortlessly dispatched Navy with a 51-14 win, improving their winning streak to six games. The team is starting to resemble one that is ready to make a resurgence into the top 10 national rankings after facing some adversity earlier in the season.

Navy arrived unbeaten but had not faced a powerhouse like Notre Dame before. This matchup was entirely different from their previous contests against teams like Bucknell, Temple, or Memphis. On Saturday, Notre Dame showcased a level of play that Navy simply could not come close to.

Stronger. Faster. Bigger. Superior.

Early afternoon games can be tricky, particularly for teams from smaller towns playing in major cities. Unlike a businessperson who might have indulged in the nightlife, the Irish prepared meticulously for their performance.

Returning to their classic road attire—white jerseys and gold pants—the Irish systematically wore down their opponents. They imposed their will, taking control of the game despite leaving several scoring opportunities on the field, which has been a consistent theme this season.

ABC’s sideline reporter, Molly McGrath, indicated that head coach Marcus Freeman continues to show footage to the team from their loss to Northern Illinois before every game, as a reminder of what that painful experience felt like, ensuring they don’t wish to experience it again.

Freeman’s approach has clearly paid off, with the Irish dominating their last three opponents—Stanford, Georgia Tech, and Navy—outscoring them by a staggering 131 to 34.

Following the Louisville game, Notre Dame has hardly faced any serious challenges. In fact, the only notable threat in recent matches was a weather warning during the fourth quarter against Stanford, which turned out to be less concerning than anticipated.

As they approach the final stretch of the season following their second bye week, the Irish are in a solid position—a stark contrast to what many thought after a perplexing September.

From the beginning, this game was never in question as Notre Dame led 31-7 by halftime. Unlike the chaotic second half of the 2022 game against Navy, where numerous turnovers were the story, this matchup saw Notre Dame firmly in control.

Although the running game had a slow start, one commentator noted that the ground offense was “clunky” initially, with Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price managing only seven carries for 23 yards—hardly representative of their game-changing potential.

However, this “clunky” play transformed into effectiveness quickly. Just moments after that assessment, Love broke through for a stunning 64-yard touchdown run, further establishing Notre Dame’s dominance.

Fans are eager to see more of Riley Leonard and tight end Mitchell Evans in action, as well as wide receiver Jordan Faison, who seems to have regained his form after an injury. His performance on Saturday saw him record three catches, more than he had in total for the season prior to this game.

The game got out of hand so quickly that by halftime, one could have easily engaged in leisurely activities like apple picking or napping. As late as the third quarter, the broadcast team revisited the tradition of the annual Navy-Notre Dame matchup. It was that kind of day—by the fourth quarter, many were hoping for a running clock for the third consecutive week.

This marked another stress-free Saturday for Notre Dame fans. It feels great, doesn’t it?