As one of college football's oldest programs, Navy is known for its traditions. Mentions of Navy football immediately conjure thoughts of march-ons, Bill the Goat, and Anchors Aweigh, among other things. Not every tradition is as beloved, though. Near the top of that list is the tradition of coming agonizingly close to beating Notre Dame.

Indeed, 2022 is the latest in a long line of Navy-Notre Dame games where the Mids could have won but fell short, although maybe that's not the best way to put it. Yes, it was a three-point loss, but scoring late and trying for an onside kick isn't the same as a neck-and-neck contest. The anguish doesn't stem from falling short in a comeback. The feeling that Navy could have won this game comes from stretches, especially in the second half, where we saw what this team is capable of. Daba Fofana ran for 133 yards. Xavier Arline made plays with his legs and his arm. The defense sacked Drew Pyne five times and held one of the country's most prolific rushing attacks to 1.9 yards per carry. Navy outscored Notre Dame 19-0 in the second half after holding them to 12-- 12!-- total yards. If not for a disastrous end to the first half, Navy probably would have won.