Notre Dame scored 21 unanswered points after halftime to beat Navy 35–13 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on Saturday, October 31.
The Fighting Irish improved to 7–1, while the Midshipmen fell to 2–6. Notre Dame's official game report and independent reporting by Irish Sports Daily confirmed the result.
Navy had made the first half competitive by scoring on each of its three possessions. Quarterback Jackson Gutierrez's two-yard touchdown run gave the Midshipmen a 13–7 lead with 1:52 remaining before halftime.
Notre Dame answered before the break. Nolan James Jr. broke a 52-yard touchdown run, and the Irish took a 14–13 lead into the locker room.
The change after halftime was decisive. Jonaz Walton finished Notre Dame's opening second-half drive with a three-yard touchdown run, extending the advantage to 21–13. James added a 23-yard scoring run later in the third quarter.
After a fourth-down stop near midfield, Notre Dame scored again. CJ Carr found Jerome Bettis Jr. for a 31-yard touchdown on the opening play of the fourth quarter, completing the scoring.
Carr finished 19 of 29 for 210 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions, according to Irish Sports Daily. James rushed for 107 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries. Bettis had six receptions for 78 yards and his first career touchdown catch.
Notre Dame's defense allowed just 56 yards in the second half after Navy gained 189 before the break, the university reported. The Midshipmen did not score after halftime.
Irish Sports Daily reported that Notre Dame outgained Navy 426–245 overall. Navy's advantage in possession time, built during the first half, did not translate into additional points once the Irish took control.
Sources Notre Dame Athletics — October 31 Game Report: https://fightingirish.com/news/2026/10/31/irish-catapult-past-navy-with-dominating-second-half Irish Sports Daily — Notre Dame Turns Away Navy: https://irishsportsdaily.com/s/28448/notre-dame-turns-away-navy