Navy (7-3) got 100-yard-plus rushing performances from Ricky Dobbs (102 yards) and Vince Murray (158) and capitalized on two turnovers by Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen -- a third-quarter fumble and a fourth-quarter interception.
Greg Jones hauled in a 52-yard scoring pass from running back Dobbs, and Navy's Craig Schaefer sacked Clausen in the end zone for a safety with a minute to go to seal the win. The Midshipmen's victory nailed down a spot in the Dec. 31 Texas Bowl in Houston against the a Big 12 opponent.
Notre Dame (6-3) lost despite Clausen's 452 passing yards after posting wins against Boston College and Washington State. Clausen appeared to have sustained an injury to his arm on his fumble.
Navy's Michael Floyd grabbed 10 passes for 141 yards and a touchdown while Golden Tate added nine grabs for 132 yards and TD.
The win marked Navy's second straight over the Irish (6-3).
Copyright 2009 by United Press International.
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