Notre Dame rushed for seven touchdowns and built a huge first-half lead to blow past visiting Navy 56-14 on Saturday.

Jonas Gray ran for three touchdowns and Cierre Wood rushed for two as Notre Dame (5-3) snapped a two-game losing streak to Navy.

Gray became the first Irish running back to score three times since Travis Thomas in 2007.
 
Navy (2-6), playing without starting quarterback Kriss Proctor, lost its sixth straight game, its longest skid since 2002.

The Midshipmen’s triple option attack had trouble finding any holes, and they didn’t record a rushing touchdown until backup quarterback Jarvis Cummings scampered in from the 12 with just over nine minutes left.

Wide receiver Michael Floyd had 121 receiving yards and two touchdowns (one rushing) for the Irish, who have never lost three straight to Navy.

After Notre Dame stormed to a 14-0 lead, Navy quarterback Trey Miller found Gee Gee Greene wide open in the end zone to cut the lead to 14-7 and give the Midshipmen a brief glimpse of hope.

But that didn’t last long as Tommy Rees hit Floyd for a 56-yard bomb on Notre Dame’s next play, and the Irish closed the second quarter with 21 straight points to head to the break with a commanding 35-7 advantage.