When you talk about the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football vs Navy Midshipmen football rivalry, most people immediately look at the lopsided record. It's an 84-13-1 lead for the Irish. That looks like a blowout on paper. Honestly, if you only care about the final score, you're missing the entire point of why these two schools keep playing every single year without fail.
It’s a "debt of honor." That’s the phrase you’ll hear in South Bend and Annapolis. During World War II, Notre Dame was basically on the verge of financial collapse. Enrollment was down because, well, everyone was at war. The U.S. Navy stepped in, turned the campus into a training center for V-12 candidates, and kept the lights on. Notre Dame never forgot. They’ve basically told Navy, "You have a game with us as long as you want one."
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The Night the Streak Finally Died
For decades, the rivalry was defined by "The Streak." From 1964 until 2007, Notre Dame won 43 straight games against the Midshipmen. It was the longest consecutive winning streak by one team over another in the history of college football.
I remember the 2007 game. It was a triple-overtime thriller in South Bend. When Navy finally stopped the Irish on a two-point conversion attempt to win 46-44, the celebration wasn't just about a win. It was about forty-three years of frustration being vented at once. Since then, the rivalry has been way more competitive than the "glory days" of the Lou Holtz era.
Recent Battles: 2024 and 2025 Recaps
If you watched the matchup on October 26, 2024, at MetLife Stadium, you saw a different kind of game. Navy came in ranked and rolling, but the Irish defense was just too much. They forced six turnovers. Riley Leonard and Jeremiyah Love basically ran at will, leading to a 51-14 Notre Dame win. It felt like the Irish were making a statement for the College Football Playoff committee.
Then came the 2025 meeting on November 8. This one was back at Notre Dame Stadium.
It was cold. It was rainy. Eventually, it even started snowing.
Navy’s triple-option—or the modern variation they run now—usually thrives in bad weather, but the Irish didn't blink. CJ Carr, the freshman phenom, threw for 218 yards and three touchdowns. Jeremiyah Love had a 48-yard touchdown run where he literally balanced on a defender's back to stay upright before sprinting to the end zone. The Irish walked away with a 49-10 victory, but the score belied how hard the Midshipmen hit. They always do.
Why the Triple Option Still Scares Coaches
You’d think in 2026, with all the high-flying air raid offenses, the triple option would be dead. It’s not. Navy’s offensive scheme is a nightmare to prepare for.
Most teams see this look once a year. Coaches have to throw out their entire defensive playbook for one week. If your linebackers aren't disciplined, Navy will lull you to sleep with three-yard dives and then hit a 60-yard "pop" pass over your head. In the 2025 game, Braxton Woodson showed flashes of that, racking up 101 yards on the ground despite the final score.
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The respect level is just different here. Most rivalries are built on hate—think Michigan vs. Ohio State. This one is built on a weird, beautiful mutual admiration.
After every game, both teams stand together. They face the Navy student section and sing "Navy Blue and Gold." Then they march to the Notre Dame end zone and sing "Notre Dame, Our Mother." It’s one of the few times in sports where you’ll see 80,000 people go silent out of sheer respect for the kids on the field.
All-Time Series Quick Look
- Total Meetings: 98
- Series Leader: Notre Dame (84-13-1)
- Longest Streak: 43 games (Notre Dame, 1964-2006)
- Most Recent Result: Notre Dame 49, Navy 10 (Nov 8, 2025)
What’s Next for the Irish and the Midshipmen?
Looking ahead, the rivalry is heading back to a neutral site. On October 31, 2026, the two teams will meet at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
For Navy, the goal is simple: find a way to bridge the talent gap. Coach Brian Newberry has done a great job of making Navy relevant again, but Notre Dame’s recruiting under Marcus Freeman has been on another level. The Irish are consistently pulling in top-five classes, making it harder for the service academies to keep up physically.
If you're planning to follow the 2026 season, keep an eye on these factors:
- The Quarterback Factor: How will CJ Carr evolve in his second year as the full-time starter?
- Neutral Site Vibe: The "home" team varies, but games in NFL stadiums like Gillette tend to have a heavy Navy presence due to the military population in the Northeast.
- Playoff Implications: With the expanded 12-team playoff, a loss to Navy is a "season-ender" for Notre Dame’s title hopes, while a Navy win could catapult them into the conversation for the top Group of Five spot.
The reality is that Notre Dame fighting irish football vs navy midshipmen football isn't just a game. It's a living history book. Even when the score is 40-0, you’re watching a tradition that saved a university and honors a military branch. That's worth more than any ranking.
Next Steps for Fans: - Check the 2026 schedule for ticket releases, especially if you're eyeing the Foxborough game in October.
- Review the historical archives at the College Football Hall of Fame if you want to see the 1927 game ball.
- Watch the post-game alma mater ceremonies on YouTube to see the tradition in action; it's the best three minutes in college sports.