The 99th Meeting: What to Expect From Navy at Gillette Stadium
Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, is set to host the 99th edition of the historic Notre Dame-Navy rivalry.
Michael Caterina-Imagn Images
This Saturday, the Fighting Irish will be looking to avenge their defeat from two weekends ago, when they fell in a top-10, road upset at BYU. Notre Dame, 6-1 and ranked sixth in the AP Top 25, enters the matchup with Navy on an eight-game win streak against the Midshipmen in the storied rivalry.
Navy Offense
Navy, led by Head Coach Brian Newberry, is on pace for its worst finish in the four-year Newberry era. After going 5-7 in his first season in 2023, the Mids put together back-to-back 10-plus win years in ‘24 and ‘25. A step back was certainly expected after the departure of key offensive personnel, including Blake Horvath, Eli Heidenreich, Alex Tecza, and Brandon Chatman.
Navy Results (2-5)
42-15 win vs. Towson
30-38 loss at Florida Atlantic (FAU)
20-24 loss at UAB
9-14 loss at Air Force
34-26 win vs. Tulsa
34-38 loss at UTSA
39-49 loss vs. North Texas (UNT)
Navy continues to rely on its unique option attack on offense, averaging 5.71 yards per carry (8th in FBS). They have found success in the red zone this year, scoring on 91.3% of their trips inside the 20 (tied-28th in FBS). The Mids have also been solid in late-down situations, converting 42.3% on third down and 64.7% on fourth. Both of these numbers rank within the top five in the American Athletic Conference (AAC). Lost fumbles are going to occur in this run-heavy offense, but eight this season is currently tied-133rd among all FBS teams.
Also, the Mids have caught secondaries sleeping this season multiple times with an average of 9.6 pass yards per attempt (tied-8th in FBS), especially with the emergence of Junior QB Jackson Gutierrez. All of this contributes to Navy’s 421.7 total yards per game, fourth in the AAC.
Quarterbacks
Jackson Gutierrez
The 6-0, 207-pound junior has really emerged this season in the wake of Braxton Woodson’s ankle injury, which has hampered him since the team’s loss at FAU.
Gutierrez has played in all seven games this year, making four starts, including each of the past three contests. The San Antonio native is 32/64 passing for 692 yards with seven touchdowns and one interception. He has attempted at least seven throws in each start, and threw two touchdowns each against FAU and UTSA. Gutierrez threw a season-high 140 yards at Air Force across 7/15 passing with one touchdown.
On the ground, the junior’s 124.14 rushing yards per game ranks fourth in FBS. Gutierrez has rushed for 872 yards and 12 touchdowns on 149 carries this season. He has at least seven carries and 31 yards in each game. He also has a rushing score in six of seven games, including four multi-rushing touchdown contests. Gutierrez really popped against Tulsa and North Texas, where he finished with over 200 yards and three scores in each game. He really showed he can do it all against UTSA when he hauled in a 63-yard reception from Woodson in a double QB formation.
56-yard touchdown vs. Tulsa
Touchdown drive at UTSA
63-yard reception at UTSA
Notre Dame got a brief look at Gutierrez during last year’s matchup with Navy when he was 0/2 passing but added 37 yards on seven carries via the ground game. This year, I would expect the Irish to get an extended look at the dual-threat.
Gutierrez is an explosive runner with good speed who is dangerous once he gets into open space. The Irish will need to keep an eye on the QB near the goal line, as he is a legit scoring threat in close.
As mentioned earlier, he has caught defenses sleeping with his arm. Gutierrez is averaging 10.8 yards per attempt and owns the longest pass in Navy history after throwing a 92-yard touchdown to TE Jordan Collins. However, his overall accuracy is inconsistent, and he has struggled in obvious passing situations. In fourth quarters this season, typically when the Mids are attempting to mount a comeback, Gutierrez is a brutal 11/29 passing. Additionally, he has had some ball security and decision-making blunders, including two lost fumbles in the Mids win over Tulsa.
Braxton Woodson
Braxton Woodson should be likely to get a share of the workload at QB on Saturday as he continues to play through an early-season ankle injury.
The 6-3, 215-pound senior has played in five games this season, including three starts. While he has been playing through it, Woodson’s play has taken a downswing since sustaining the injury against FAU. This season, he is 9/23 passing for 144 yards with one interception and no touchdowns. He really struggled throwing against the Owls, going 3/11 passing for 47 yards with an interception.
Woodson has had a bit more success rushing the ball this season, compared to passing. He has rushed for 384 yards and five touchdowns across 49 carries. The Altamonte Springs, Florida native impressed in the season-opener against Towson when he rushed for 200 yards and three scores on 23 carries. He has at least three carries in each game played; however, he failed to produce at Air Force, rushing for just three yards on his three carries.
38-yard touchdown vs. Towson
In last season’s meeting with the Irish, Woodson was 3/8 passing for 22 yards while he added 101 yards and a touchdown across 23 carries.
Woodson, when healthy, is an explosive, efficient ball-carrier. He is averaging the eighth-most yards per carry in the FBS with 7.84, and he flashed the wheels on his 48-yard scramble score against FAU. The senior QB possesses good size and plays with good physicality as he serves as another goal-line threat for this offense. However, Woodson has struggled greatly as a passer this season, especially on anything over 10 yards.
48-yard touchdown vs. FAU
Weapons
Snipe Michael Barrow
One of the more versatile pieces of this offense is junior Michael Barrow. The 5-7, 190-pound Snipe hails from Grand Prairie, Texas.
Barrow has made six starts in seven games played this season, rushing for 439 yards and one touchdown across 81 carries. He has at least six carries and 39 yards in each game, and rushed for a season-high of 107 yards against Tulsa on 14 attempts.
4-yard touchdown vs. UNT
As a receiver, Barrow has contributed seven receptions for 58 yards and one touchdown. He has at least one catch in five games, including a 15-yard touchdown last week and a season-high two catches and 16 yards against Tulsa.
15-yard touchdown vs. UNT
Barrow is an effective rusher averaging 5.5 yards per carry; however, he has not flashed the big-play potential, with his longest rush being a gain of 24 yards. He is also a reliable receiving threat when needed. Barrow does have some ball security concerns with two lost fumbles to his name this season.
RB Vic Listorti
Listed at running back is the 5-11, 205-pound senior out of Pasadena, Maryland. Vic Listorti has five starts across seven games played this season, with 42 carries for 228 yards and two touchdowns. He has at least three carries in each game; however, he has been held to just 20 yards on seven attempts across Navy’s last two contests. Listorti rushed for a season-high 81 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries in the Mids’ season-opener against Towson.
7-yard touchdown vs. UAB
The senior RB has also contributed four receptions for 72 yards as a pass-catcher. Listorti has at least one catch in three games, including a season-high two receptions at FAU. His longest reception of the season came via a 39-yard grab at UAB.
Listorti received his only touches of the year in 2025 during Notre Dame’s blowout over the Mids when he took three carries for 17 yards.
He is another effective runner in this offense, averaging 5.4 yards per carry. Listorti is valuable as a short-yardage, power back. The senior lacks explosiveness, with limited yards after contact, and he struggles to force missed tackles. He has also lost two fumbles this season, something to monitor on Saturday. Listorti does offer upside as a productive pass-catcher, averaging 18 yards per reception.
Snipe Charles Robinson
Another versatile Snipe featured in this offense is junior Charles Robinson. The 6-0, 191-pound weapon out of Knoxville, Tennessee, has started all six games played this season after missing the Mids’ season-opener.
Robinson has 11 carries for 72 yards and a touchdown this year. He has at least three carries in three games, and recorded a season-high four carries and 34 yards last week against UNT. As a receiver, Robinson has posted 10 catches for 85 yards and one score. He has at least one catch in four games, including a season-high four catches for 36 yards and a touchdown at FAU.
7-yard touchdown vs. Tulsa
Robinson serves as another efficient ball-carrier for this offense, averaging 6.5 yards per carry. He also flashes his versatility as a rusher, receiver, and punt returner. In general, Robinson’s workload has been somewhat limited this season; however, he remains a presence for the Mids.
WR Truman Brasfield
If Navy looks like they are dropping back for a deep shot, odds are it is going to Truman Brasfield. The 6-1, 197-pound freshman has played in every game this season. On just four catches, the Corvallis, Oregon native has 174 yards and two touchdowns. His receptions are as follows: a 39-yard catch, a 68-yard touchdown, a 58-yard touchdown, and a nine-yard snag. An obvious big-play threat, Brasfield’s 43.5 yards per catch makes him someone Notre Dame will need to keep an eye on all afternoon.
68-yard touchdown vs. Tulsa
TE Jordan Collins
And if the deep ball is not going to Brasfield, it is likely intended for sophomore Jordan Collins. The 6-3, 236-pound TE out of Rock Hill, South Carolina, has four starts in seven games played this season. Collins has hauled in six receptions for 212 yards and three touchdowns. He has at least one catch in four games and recorded a season-high two touchdown receptions for 117 yards at UTSA, including the longest pass in Navy Football history.
92-yard receiving touchdown at UTSA
Like Brasfield, Collins offers clear big-play potential with 35.3 yards per catch and touchdowns on half of his catches. He also added a 64-yard receiving score in the Mids’ road loss at FAU.
Others to watch: WR Luke Hutchinson
Offensive Line
LT Sean Crowley
Navy returned its starting LT from a year ago with Sean Crowley. The 6-4, 293-pound junior out of Glen Arm, Maryland, has started all seven games this season after starting all 13 contests in 2025. Crowley is a good run blocker, who is reliable with good experience in this system. He possesses good size but does struggle as a pass blocker.
LG Matt Tomaszewski
A young piece on this line that struggled this season is sophomore Matt Tomaszewski. The 6-3, 296-pound lineman out of Clifton Park, New York, has played in five games this year, including starts in the past three contests. Tomaszewski is still developing with limited experience; however, he does have good size and plays with good physicality.
C Cam Nichols
The leader of this line is senior Cam Nichols. The 6-1, 305-pound Center out of Charlotte tallied 18 starts across 21 games played in 2024 and ‘25. After beginning the season at LG, Nichols has spent the past three games in the middle, flashing his versatility. Nichols is a plus run blocker who is praised for his reliability and past experience.
RG Hoke Smith II
Another valuable piece of this unit is senior Hoke Smith II. The 6-3, 317-pounder out of Birmingham, Alabama returned this year after starting 12 of 13 games in 2025. This season, Smith has started all seven games and, in general, has played solidly. He has good size, physicality, experience, and is a smart and reliable player.
RT Malcolm Johnson
Navy’s starting RT is sophomore Malcolm Johnson. The 6-6, 292-pound sophomore out of South Jordan, Utah started seven games as a true freshman in 2025. Johnson has started all seven games this season, proving to be a reliable piece for this line. He has good size and length; however, his overall play has been inconsistent this season and could cause trouble for the Mids on Saturday.
Navy Defense
The Navy defense has been a tale of two stories through seven games this year. The run defense is currently allowing 109.3 yards per game and 3.11 yards per carry, both of which lead the AAC. However, the pass defense’s 259.9 yards per game allowed has been the main thorn in the Mids’ side, ranking 13th in the AAC and 123rd among FBS teams. Additionally, they have failed to come up with big stops, allowing 29.1 points per game and a 44.4% third-down conversion rate, both of which rank 10th in the AAC. Finally, they are just one of two FBS teams that have yet to recover a fumble this season.
EDGEs
Aiden Lyczek
Navy’s premier EDGE this season has been junior Aiden Lyczek. The 6-4, 268-pounder out of Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania, has tallied 36 tackles, eight TFLs, 3.5 sacks, and two PBUs across seven starts this season. Lyczek has at least two tackles in each game, including a season-high of nine, and 1.5 TFLs last week against UNT. The junior recorded a season-high 2.5 TFLs and one sack, in addition to five tackles, at UTSA.
Lyczek is a capable backfield disruptor and an effective pass rusher who can also block passing lanes. He has also been solid against the run this season.
Nolan McCamy
Another potential backfield disruptor that has emerged in recent weeks is senior Nolan McCamy. The 6-2, 212-pound EDGE out of Covington, Georgia, has played in six games after missing the Mids’ season-opener, recording four starts, including in each of the past three games.
This season, McCamy has 20 tackles, four TFLs, two sacks, and one PBU. He has at least two tackles in four games, including a season-high seven tackles, 1.5 TFLs, and one sack in last week’s outing against UNT. McCamy also flashed at UTSA when he finished the game with six tackles, one sack, and one PBU on the road. The senior has been a solid contributor against the run this season; however, his pass rush is a bit inconsistent.
Interior Linemen
Griffen Willis
On the interior, Navy’s Griffen Willis serves as a valuable run defender. The 6-1, 280-pound lineman out of Austin, Texas, has recorded 25 tackles, three TFLs, one sack, and two PBUs in seven starts this season. Willis has at least two tackles in each game, including a season-high five tackles with one TFL and one PBU against Tulsa. He flashed at FAU when he finished the game with a season-high 1.5 TFLs and one sack, in addition to his four tackles.
In last season’s meeting with the Irish, Willis recorded three tackles. This year, the Texas native has looked very good against the run, capable of filling gaps and occupying multiple blockers. He is also an experienced, smart player. However, Willis’s pass rush production has lacked this season, and he is relatively undersized for an interior lineman.
Xavyer Arrington
Next to Willis this season has been junior Xavyer Arrington. Hailing from Vero Beach, Florida, the 6-0, 279-pound lineman has tallied 14 tackles and 2.5 TFLs across seven starts this season. Arrington has at least one tackle in six games, including a season-high of four at UTSA.
Arrington recorded one tackle in last year’s Notre Dame-Navy matchup. The junior DL is a good run defender; however, he is also undersized for the role, and his overall production has been limited this season.
Others to watch: Chris Herock
Linebackers
Coleman Cauley
The strength of this defense lies within its LB duo of Coleman Cauley and MarcAnthony Parker. Cauley, a 6-1 and 227-pound senior, has 58 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, and two sacks in seven starts this season. The Macon, Georgia native has recorded at least five tackles in each game, including a season-high 11 tackles at Air Force.
Notre Dame should remember Cauley from last season’s meeting with the Mids when he finished the game with a team-leading eight tackles. Clearly, the senior is a very productive and reliable tackler, averaging 8.3 per game this season. He is a good run defender and a capable pass rusher when needed, but his coverage has lacked, a theme amongst this Navy squad.
MarcAnthony Parker
Next to Cauley will be 2025 All-AAC Third Team LB MarcAnthony Parker. The 6-0, 218-pound junior out of Fredericksburg, Virginia, finished with a season-low two tackles against Notre Dame in 2025.
Through seven starts this season, Parker has 49 tackles, six TFLs, four sacks, and one PBU. He has at least four tackles in each game, and flashed at UAB when he recorded a season-high 10 tackles and three sacks in the road loss. Parker also played well on the road at FAU when he finished that game with nine tackles, two TFLs, and a sack.
Parker poses as a very good pass-rushing threat, but he has been a bit inconsistent in this aspect outside of the UAB performance. The junior LB is another productive tackler who is solid against the run but can struggle in coverage.
Others to watch: Will Miller
Defensive Backs
S Giuseppe Sessi
The leader of this Navy DB room that has struggled in 2026 is senior Safety Giuseppe Sessi. The 5-11, 204-pound DB out of San Antonio has tallied 42 tackles, one interception, and two PBUs across seven starts this season. Sessi has at least one tackle in each game, including a season-high nine tackles and one PBU at UTSA. He also flashed against UAB when he recorded six tackles and an interception in the game.
Sessi finished with seven tackles in Navy’s matchup with Notre Dame a year ago. The senior is a reliable tackler who possesses good speed and toughness complemented by a high football IQ. Technically, Sessi’s ball production has improved since last season, but his coverage is still far too inconsistent to pose as a threat. Additionally, he has not been as disruptive in the backfield this year as he likely expected coming into the season.
S Aaron Rose
Defending the backline with Sessi this season has been junior Safety Aaron Rose. The 6-2, 194-pound DB out of Windsor Mill, Maryland, has started six of seven games played this season. In this time, Rose has 25 tackles, two TFLs, and one PBU, including at least two tackles in six games. He recorded a season-high seven tackles and one TFL at UTSA, and also had a solid performance against UAB when he finished with four tackles and a PBU.
The junior possesses good size and length, but has struggled in coverage like his counterparts. Rose is a solid tackler, though.
CB Phillip Hamilton
Navy’s most reliable CB, who is naturally a Safety, has been Phillip Hamilton. The 5-10, 175-pound junior out of Fort Worth, Texas, has started all five games played this season, with games missed against Towson and UAB. During this time, Hamilton has recorded 20 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, and one interception. He has at least two tackles in each game, including a season-high seven tackles and one TFL at UTSA. The Texas native snagged his interception against Air Force, where he finished the game with four tackles.
Interception at Air Force
Hamilton finished last season’s game against Notre Dame tied with a season-low two tackles. He is a capable ball-hawk as evidenced by his three interceptions in 2025 and offers good versatility for the somewhat shorthanded Navy DB core. The junior has been decent against the run but has struggled in coverage as an undersized DB.
CB Irabonoise “Ira” Oniha
Opposite of Hamilton will likely be senior CB Ira Oniha. Hailing from Silver Spring, Maryland, the 6-1, 183-pounder has made three starts across six games played this season. He did not play against UTSA. Oniha has made 18 tackles and one interception this year, with at least two tackles in five games. He recorded a season-high six tackles against Towson, and played well last week with four tackles and an interception against UNT.
Oniha finished with two tackles, including a TFL, in last year’s meeting with the Irish. He possesses good size and length and plays with good physicality against the run. However, after leading the Mids with seven PBUs in 2025, Oniha’s production and general coverage have dropped considerably this year.
CB Sean Martin
Freshman Sean Martin has been thrown into the fire this season, cracking this Navy CB rotation early and often despite his poor play. The 5-10 and 195-pound DB out of Dunnellon High School in Florida has made two starts in six games played this year. He has tallied just four tackles, including a season-high three at UAB. If Martin is matched up one-on-one at all on Saturday, that is the matchup Notre Dame QB CJ Carr will look to exploit.
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