LOS ANGELES — The New York Yankees were supposed to have the advantage in starting pitching.

They were supposed to have more power than the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Bronx Bombers, even with their fundamental flaws, were supposed to make this an epic World Series.

Well, two games in, and you wonder if it’s going to be two more games and out.

The Dodgers overpowered the Yankees, 4-2, on Saturday, and lead the World Series 2-0, confident when they return back to Los Angeles from New York, they’ll have a World Series trophy in their carry-on luggage.

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They’ll be holding their breath about Shohei Ohtani, who partially dislocated his left shoulder on a stolen base attempt in the seventh inning and was helped off the field. Manager Dave Roberts said after the game that the likely NL MVP will go for testing on Sunday but the club was ‘encouraged.’

Even if they end up without Ohtani – who is 1-for-9 in the series – the Dodgers can start planning their Los Angeles parade because the Yankees look to be completely overmatched.

The Dodgers, who came into the World Series with only three healthy starters, have outpitched the Yankees, with Yoshinobu Yamamoto never giving the Yankees a chance.

Yamamoto completely overwhelmed the Yankees, giving up just one hit in 6⅓ shutout innings, his longest outing since June 7 when he pitched seven shutout innings against these same Yankees.

The only mistake he made was trying to sneak a fastball past Juan Soto in the third inning, which ended up going 386 feet into the Yankees’ bullpen. Yamamoto left to a raucous standing ovation by the crowd of 52,725.

The outing was even more painful for the Yankees considering they were one of the finalists for Yamamoto’s services when he left Japan last winter, only to be outbid by the Dodgers’ 12-year, $325 million offer.

The Yankees, even with Aaron Judge and Soto, can’t keep up with the Dodgers’ power show. Tommy Edman, the MVP of the NLCS, homered again. Teoscar Hernandez homered. And there was Freddie Freeman, one night after hitting the first walk-off grand slam in World Series history, homering again.

Hernandez and Freeman became the first Dodgers to go back-to-back in the World Series since Pedro Guerrero and Steve Yeager in the 1981 World Series.

While the Dodgers are putting on a Hollywood performance, the Yankees aren’t even mustering a good lounge act.

No one has been more of a dud than Judge, who hit 58 homers this season and will be honored with his second MVP award next month.

Yet, this month, he has been a shell of himself.

Judge went hitless in four at-bats, struck out three more times, giving him six strikeouts in two games. He is hitting just .150 this postseason (6-for-40) with 19 strikeouts and two homers. He has taken 113 swings this postseason, and swung and missed a staggering 49 times.

While Gerrit Cole was fabulous in Game 1, giving up just four hits and one run in six innings before being removed, Carlos Rodón couldn’t even make it out of the fourth inning, giving up six hits and four earned runs.

The Dodgers, despite a scary ninth inning with the Yankees scoring a run and loading the bases on three hits, hung on and are now keeping their fingers crossed that the biggest star in the game will be OK.

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Here’s how Saturday’s game unfolded:

Shohei Ohtani injury

LOS ANGELES – A raucous Saturday night at Dodger Stadium took on an ominous tone after superstar Shohei Ohtani injured his shoulder while sliding into second base on a failed steal attempt in the seventh inning.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Ohtani had suffered a partial dislocation of his left shoulder on the play and would go for further testing but the team hopeful about the injury.

‘The strength was great, the range of motion good, so we’re encouraged,’ Roberts said after the Dodgers’ 4-2 win in Game 2 of the World Series.

‘We’ll know more in the next couple of days.’

– Gabe Lacques

Yamamoto fires 6 ⅓ scoreless innings

Yoshinobu Yamamoto retired the final 11 batters he faced and got a standing ovation at Dodger Stadium when manager Dave Roberts removed him with one out in the seventh.

The only hit surrendered by the rookie right-hander was Juan Soto’s solo home run in the second – the Yankees’ last baserunner against Yamamoto.

Anthony Banda took over for Yamamoto and worked around a two-out walk to send us to the bottom of the seventh with the Dodgers up 4-1.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto cruises through five, Dodgers lead 4-1

$325 million rookie Yoshinobu Yamamoto has given up just one hit – Juan Soto’s solo home run in the third – with two walks and three strikeouts.

The Dodgers are up 4-1 heading into the bottom of the fifth.

Teoscar Hernández, Freddie Freeman go back-to-back: Dodgers up 4-1

LOS ANGELES – The harder Carlos Rodón threw the ball, the harder the Los Angeles Dodgers seemed to hit it. And now they have command of this World Series Game 2. 

Teoscar Hernandez crushed a go-ahead two-run homer and Game 1 hero Freddie Freeman went deep for the second consecutive night as the Dodgers took a 4-1 lead after three innings of Game 2. 

The three-run rally came entirely with two outs, as Mookie Betts extended the inning with his second single of the night. Hernandez then pounded a 98-mph fastball into the right center field pavilion for a 3-1 lead. 

Freeman followed by depositing a 97-mph pitch a few sections over from Hernandez’s blast, the back-to-back homers giving L.A. a 4-1 advantage. 

Rodón nearly found more trouble when postseason hero Tommy Edman – off yes, a 97-mph fastball – ripped a double. But Rodón escaped further damage. 

And now the Yankees have some work to do lest they not fall in a 2-0 hole going back to New York.  

– Gabe Lacques

Juan Soto home run ties it in third inning

LOS ANGELES – Juan Soto looked to the heavens, as it seemed the baseball he hit might stay up there a while. But come down it did – in the Los Angeles Dodgers bullpen, tying World Series Game 2 at 1-1. 

Soto’s fourth postseason home run, off Dodgers right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto, was golfed some 38 degrees in the air, but Soto’s strength ensured it would make it well past right fielder Mookie Betts to tie the game. And now, lefty Carlos Rodón is on even ground as he attacks the Dodgers lineup in the bottom of the third. 

– Gabe Lacques

Tommy Edman home run gives Dodgers 1-0 lead

Leading off the bottom of the second, Tommy Edman hit a solo home run off Yankees starter Carlos Rodón to give the Dodgers a 1-0 lead in Game 2.

Acquired from the Cardinals at the trade deadline, Edman was named NLCS MVP with a home run and 11 RBI in Los Angeles’ six-game victory over the New York Mets. He entered Saturday’s game hitting .354 in the 2024 postseason

World Series Game 2 underway at Dodger Stadium

LOS ANGELES – Game 2 of the World Series is underway, offering a fresh start for the New York Yankees. But Aaron Judge’s slump has continued.

Judge struck out with a runner in scoring position in the top of the first inning, his fourth strikeout in six at-bats in these two games. 

The Yankees did register a mild victory: They worked Dodgers starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto for 21 pitches in the first inning. Meanwhile, Yankees lefty Carlos Rodón breezed through a 13-pitch first, working around a single from Mookie Betts to keep it scoreless after one. 

– Gabe Lacques

World Series Game 2 starting pitchers

Yankees: Carlos Rodón (16-9, 3.96 ERA) – Signed for $162 million in the 2022-23 offseason, the left-hander has  4.40 ERA – but a 2.12 FIP – in three starts this postseason, striking out 22 in 14 ⅓ innings with only one walk.
Dodgers: Yoshinobu Yamamoto (7-2, 3.00 ERA) – The $325 million Japanese import has made three starts in the 2024 postseason, posting a 5.11 ERA in 12 ⅓ innings.

Yankees lineup today: World Series Game 2

Gleyber Torres (R) 2B
Juan Soto (L) RF
Aaron Judge (R) CF
Giancarlo Stanton (R) DH
Jazz Chisholm Jr. (L) 3B
Anthony Rizzo (L) 1B
Anthony Volpe (R) SS
Austin Wells (L) C
Alex Verdugo (L) LF

Dodgers lineup today: Game 2

Shohei Ohtani (L) DH
Mookie Betts (R) RF
Teoscar Hernández (R) LF
Freddie Freeman (L) 1B
Tommy Edman (S) CF
Enrique Hernández (R) 2B
Max Muncy (L) 3B
Will Smith (R) C
Miguel Rojas (R) SS

MLB STADIUM RANKINGS: Baseball travelers’ favorite ballparks, ranked 1-30

World Series umpires for Game 2

Home plate: Andy Fletcher
First base: Doug Eddings
Second base: Mark Ripperger
Third base: Chad Fairchild
Left field: Todd Tichenor (crew chief)
Right field: Carlos Torres
Reserve: Mark Carlson

Freddie Freeman’s grand slam: ‘The greatest baseball moment I’ve ever witnessed’

LOS ANGELES — It was Kirk Gibson all over again.

It was Roy Hobbs in “The Natural.’

It was classic Hollywood.

“It might be,’ Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said, “the greatest baseball moment I’ve ever witnessed.’

With one swing of the bat, Freeman created a memory that may never be forgotten in Dodgers lore, a two-out, walk-off grand slam in the 10th inning, leading the Dodgers to a 6-3 victory over the New York Yankees in Game 1 of the World Series.

– Bob Nightengale

Nestor Cortes reflects on giving up Game 1 grand slam

LOS ANGELES – As Freddie Freeman turned Dodger Stadium into Blue Heaven on Friday night, Nestor Cortes made the long, awkward walk toward what’s often been hell for those on the wrong side of history.

Here’s the thing about walk-off home runs, such as Freeman’s first-of-his kind game-ending grand slam in Game 1 of the World Series: There’s just no avoiding the physical act of trudging morosely through someone else’s party into your own dungeon of demons.

So after Freeman destroyed the first pitch Cortes threw him in the top of the 10th inning, sending it 409 feet into a delirious right field pavilion at Dodger Stadium, turning a one-run New York Yankees lead into a 6-3 Dodgers victory, Cortes was angry.

And then he turned pragmatic, sitting down immediately and watching a replay of the fateful pitch – a fastball in that should have been two or three inches up, too.

And then he embraced perspective, choosing not to ponder that his name was enshrined forever in baseball lore, a permanent link to Ralph Branca and Dennis Eckersley and Mariano Rivera and Mitch Williams, pitchers who may have excelled but gave it up at the worst possible times.

– Gabe Lacques

Walker Buehler will start Game 3 for Dodgers

Before Saturday’s Game 2, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced that Walker Buehler will start Game 3 at Yankee Stadium on Monday night.

“We love Walker in big games. The road isn’t going to faze him,” Roberts told reporters. “It also allows him potentially to be available for a Game 7 too.”

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The Philadelphia Union announced that goalkeeper Holden Trent died on Saturday. He was 25.

No cause of death was announced, but Trent’s family had shared that he was hospitalized in an intensive care unit in an update from his Instagram account this week.

“Holden passed away this afternoon surrounded by his family and friends,” his family said Saturday. “Details on services and celebration of life are forthcoming. Our family is deeply touched to see and experience the love you all have for Holden.’

Trent was born on July 7, 1999, and attended Page High School in Greensboro, North Carolina.

He was selected with the 28th pick in the 2023 MLS Super Draft by the Union out of High Point University, where he was the Big South Goalkeeper of the Year in 2021 and 2022.

“Major League Soccer joins the Philadelphia Union and our entire soccer community in mourning the tragic passing of Union goalkeeper Holden Trent. A young goalkeeper with a bright future, Trent showcased determination and professionalism every day as he contributed to the close-knit goalkeeping unit at Philadelphia,” the league said in a statement.

“We extend our deepest condolences to his fiancée, his family and friends, his teammates and the entire Philadelphia Union community. MLS is coordinating with the club to provide players and family members with the resources and support they need during this tragic time.”

The Union also released a statement:

“The Philadelphia Union is devastated by the heartbreaking passing of Holden Trent. While he was a wonderful player and fierce competitor, he was more importantly a devoted son, brother, fiancé and teammate who made those around him better. He embodied the true meaning of determination, dedication and perseverance, and he will be deeply missed. We extend our greatest sympathies to his family, his fiancée and his friends,” the statement said.

“Out of respect to Holden’s friends and family, there will be no further statements at this time and ask that their privacy is respected as they grieve.”

LOS ANGELES — Commissioner Rob Manfred had just started working with Major League Baseball in 1988. He remembered sitting in his New York home watching Game 1 of that World Series, mesmerized by Kirk Gibson’s dramatic walk-off home run that will forever live in Los Angeles Dodgers history.

Here he was Friday night, this time seeing the sequel in person, with Freddie Freeman hitting a walk-off grand slam at practically the same time, 8:38 p.m. PT., the ball landing in virtually the same spot in the right-field pavilion at Dodger Stadium, giving the Dodgers a 6-3, 10-inning victory over the New York Yankees.

The FOX TV ratings drew 15.2 million viewers, the largest Game 1 audience since the 2017 World Series between the Houston Astros and Dodgers and a 62% increase over last year’s Arizona Diamondbacks-Texas Rangers opener. The audience peaked to 17.8 million from 11:30 p.m. ET to the end of the game.

“The ratings were really good,’’ Manfred said. “… I see this matchup as an opportunity to kind of amplify everything we’ve been working on for the last few years. You know, focus on the players, trying to grow the game into a more national product, international growth, young people.

“You know, you get a stage like this, it’s an opportunity to take a step forward.’’

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MLB expects to have TV ratings from Japan on Monday, and fully anticipates great numbers.

“We’re hoping we get really good numbers,’’ Manfred said. “They’ve been great so far in the postseason, and we’re hoping we can get another good one. You should with that game.’’

Meanwhile, Manfred said he has no updates on the Tampa Bay Rays’ stadium situation after Tropicana Field was damaged by Hurricane Milton. It’s still unknown where they will play at the start of the 2025 season, but he hopes to have an answer by late December.

“I think by Christmas they got to have a pretty good plan in place,’’ Manfred said, “and there’s a lot to that. Once we get past Game 7, we got to really get focused where we’re going to be and the logistics worked out.’’

Yet, for now, Manfred said, there are no concrete answers.

“They’re still in the damage assessment mode,’’ Manfred said. “They’re trying to figure out how bad the damage is. That needs to get done. Obviously, it was not just the roof, there was damage internally as well. We won’t know exactly what will happen until they complete that process. … Until they tell you exactly what’s wrong with it, it’s just a guess as to how long it’s going to be.’’

The Rays could wind up playing in a minor-league ballpark or spring training facility, if need be, or even occasionally share the Miami Marlins ballpark.

“We can make it work in a minor-league park,’’ Manfred said. “I think there’s some flexibility in terms what we do with the big-league schedule, too.’’

MLB already is playing in one minor-league ballpark with the Athletics relocated to Sacramento, California, for the next three years, where they will play on grass instead of artificial turf.

“We got consensus with the players that given the circumstances,’’ Manfred said, “that was the best playing surface. And, you know, grass can be replaced. That’s a question of relatively modest investment in order to make sure that it’s the best place for the players to be playing.’’

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Kirk Gibson became a topic of conversation after Freddie Freeman’s walk-off grand slam in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ 6-3 victory over the New York Yankees in Game 1 of the 2024 World Series on Saturday.

“I just thought, ‘This is going to happen,’” Gibson told Dodgers Insider. “I could just feel it.”

Freeman’s clutch moment led Dodger fans and baseball pundits to draw comparison between his and Gibson’s home run in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series.

Gibson had been dealing with injuries to both legs and hit a pinch-hit walk-off home run to etch his name in the Dodgers history books. It was his only at-bat of the 1988 World Series.

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Freeman sprained his ankle before the postseason and is spending extra hours in the training room before playoff games.

Gibson was elated that Freeman was able to capitalize on that moment considering all the first basemen had to overcome this season.

“All he’s been through this year and it’s incredible,” Gibson told Dodgers Insider. “He’s got to feel incredible. It’s not been all smooth sailing. … It couldn’t have happened to a better guy.”

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Webb Walker said he woke up one morning with a lump on his chest, which he figured would go away on its own. After waiting two weeks, the lump remained. A biopsy revealed he had lymphoma, though doctors told him it was “very treatable.”

During a physically and emotionally difficult time, Webb Walker said he wanted his teammates to know they have been offering him a sense of comfort and peace.

“Just being here helped me with the whole process and really just deal with it,” he said, as chronicled in a video of his speech that was posted to social media. “I just want to say thank you boys because y’all made it easier on me, even though it’s tough. I never thought this would happen to me, but it’s just the Lord’s way and his plan. I appreciate y’all keeping me up and having me smiling when I’m in here.”

He is in his first season with the program after transferring over from New Mexico State.

Webb Walker said he didn’t want to publicize his condition so he wouldn’t risk being a distraction to his team, a notion that coach Deion Sanders quickly shot down.

“First of all, you’re never a distraction. You’re a blessing,” Sanders said. “You allow us to understand what life really is. We play this childish game we call football that we can make millions of dollars on and we give people satisfaction. We give them ups and downs and any kind of emotion, but what you’re doing with is real. The way you’ve dealt with it has been admirable. We love you. We appreciate it. We’re here for you.”

As he undergoes chemotherapy, Webb Walker will be in and out of the team’s facility. But even when the player is not around his teammates and coaches, Sanders wanted to make sure he knows they all are standing with him.

“Understand that we love you,” Sanders said. “There’s always a place for you here.”

Penn State’s dreams of maintaining an undefeated record and a top-five ranking in the US LBM Coaches Poll will rest on a backup quarterback.

Trailing Wisconsin 10-7 at Camp Randall Stadium, Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar was on the bench during his team’s opening drive in the third quarter.

Here’s what you need to know about Allar and why he is out of the game:

Drew Allar injury update

Allar was not on the field for coach James Franklin and No. 3 Penn State at the start of the third quarter, with backup Beau Pribula under center.

Allar twisted awkwardly when he was sacked by Wisconsin linebacker Jake Chaney with 1:18 remaining in the second quarter.

After the Nittany Lions’ drive ended two plays later, Allar walked directly to the Penn State locker room. Along the way, he appeared to have a confrontation with Wisconsin fans along the sideline. According to a report from Joel Haas of the Daily Collegian, Penn State’s student newspaper was seen talking to James Franklin coming out of halftime.

With Pribula leading the way, Penn State went 36 yards in seven plays before punting on its opening possession. On their ensuing drive, the Nittany Lions went three-and-out. On those two possessions, Pribula completed 3 of 5 passes for 18 yards while adding 9 yards on three rushing attempts.

After an inconsistent, risk-averse first season as a starter in 2023, Allar has looked more comfortable and effective under first-year Penn State offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki.

The 6-foot-5 Allar, a five-star recruit in the 2022 class, threw for 1,492 yards, 11 touchdowns and four interceptions in the Nittany Lions’ first six games. During that stretch, he completed 70.5% of his passes and averaged 10.2 yards per attempt. Last season, he completed only 59.9% of his passes and averaged 6.8 yards per attempt.

Allar completed 14 of 18 passes in the first half for 148 yards and a touchdown.

Even with Penn State’s offensive struggles without Allar, the Nittany Lions were able to regain the lead. On Wisconsin’s second drive of the second half, Jaylen Reed intercepted a Braedyn Locke pass and returned it 19 yards for a touchdown to put Penn State up 14-10 midway through the third quarter.

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr was busy coaching his team to a 127-86 victory over the Utah Jazz on Friday when Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman hit a walk-off grand slam to win Game 1 of the World Series against the New York Yankees.

Kerr, a Dodgers fan, said he briefly checked the score during halftime between the Warriors and Jazz but was unaware that Game 1 went to extra innings.

‘I didn’t know anything that was going on after that.’

Thankfully, a fan at Delta Center in Utah informed Kerr about the grand slam heard around the world.

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‘The guy in the first row right behind me gasped,’ Kerr said, ”Oh my God! He did it. He hit it out.’ And I said, ‘Who?’ He said (it was) Freeman. Sounds like I missed an amazing game.’

The interaction with a fan was caught during the Warriors-Jazz broadcast. Watch the exchange below.

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The loss on the road to Oregon two weeks ago was one thing.

An upset at home to Nebraska would have been altogether different. That would have put Ohio State’s College Football Playoff hopes in serious jeopardy.

That’s exactly what was staring at the fourth-ranked Buckeyes in the fourth quarter Saturday in front of 104,832 increasingly anxious spectators at Ohio Stadium.

But when the moment of truth arrived, Ohio State answered the challenge and escaped with a 21-17 victory.

Will Howard threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to Quinshon Judkins with 6 minutes left for the winning score after Nebraska had taken its first lead on its previous drive.

Ohio State (6-1, 3-1 Big Ten) then forced a three-and-out. But the Buckeyes’ offense, which did little most of the game, failed to get a first down again, giving Nebraska another shot.

The Cornhuskers were granted a first down at their 46 on a targeting call against linebacker Arvell Reese, drawing a heated reaction from Ohio State coach Ryan Day and a few bottles thrown from the stands.

But the Buckeyes didn’t allow Nebraska to get any closer. On third-and-19, Jordan Hancock intercepted a pass from Dylan Raiola to preserve the victory.

It was the Buckeyes’ 44th consecutive win over unranked opponents under coach Ryan Day and among the most concerning. Nebraska (5-3, 2-3) was coming off a 56-7 blowout loss to Indiana. Ohio State was eager to make a statement after its 32-31 to now-No. 1 Oregon two weeks ago.

The Buckeyes didn’t, at least not how they intended. But at least they survived, though next week’s showdown at No. 3 Penn State seems an even larger task.

Second half a mess for Ohio State until …

Ohio State hoped to extend its 14-6 halftime lead but instead was barely after three quarters. It opened the third quarter with a three-and-out and allowed Nebraska to drive 58 yards for a field goal.

On the next play, Howard overthrew Emeka Egbuka and Nebraska’s Malcolm Hartzog Jr. intercepted the pass and returned it 34 yards to the Ohio State 7.

Nebraska faced fourth-and-goal from the 2. The Dante Dowdell tried to leap over the Buckeyes pile, but cornerback Davison Igbinosun met him in the air to keep him out of the end zone.

But the offense’s struggles continued to put the onus on the defense. Nebraska had the ball on the Ohio State 32 on its next possession when Ty Hamilton had a third-down sack to force a punt.

But the Buckeyes couldn’t hold off the Huskers forever. Raiola, a one-time Ohio State commitment, led Nebraska 74 yards in nine plays to take the lead on a 1-yard run by Dowdell, followed by a shovel pass for the 2-point conversion with 10:52 left.

Ohio State offense finally awakens

Howard completed all nine of his passes in the first half before faltering in the second half and the running game failed to pick up the slack. But it answered the challenge when needed.

Howard connected with Carnell Tate for a 37-yard completion along the sideline to start the drive. Emeka Egbuka caught a 3-yard pass on fourth-and-1 to keep the drive alive. Howard scrambled for 10 yards and then threw to Judkins for the go-ahead touchdown.

Howard finished 13 of 16 for 221 yards.

Sluggish Ohio State offense in the first half except for two big plays

Ohio State’s offense did almost nothing in the first three quarters other than two big plays. The Buckeyes went three-and-out on its first two possesisons.

But they drove to the Nebraska 40 on their following drive before Howard threw deep to Carnell Tate. The ball was slightly underthrown, but Tate was so open that he was able to catch it anyway for a touchdown.

Howard was on target on Ohio State’s other first-half touchdown. Freshman Jeremiah Smith ran free down the middle of the field, and Howard’s pass hit him in stride for a 60-yard score.

Other than that, Ohio State’s offense sputtered. With Zen Michalski took over and struggled. Ohio State’s running game did little in the first half. Other than 15-yard run by TreVeyon Henderson, he and and Quinshon Judkins ran eight times for 17 yards.

Ohio State’s only other chance to score ended when Jayden Fielding missed a 42-yard field goal late in the half.

(This story was updated with new information)

In the fourth quarter of Saturday’s game against Nebraska football, Buckeyes linebacker Arvell Reese was ejected from the game for targeting, which was confirmed by officials after review. Reese was given a targeting penalty following a hit on Nebraska’s Jahmal Banks, which caused some curiosity about whether it was targeting or not.

The reason for the controversy on the targeting call was that Banks had already dropped the ball by the time Reese put a hit on him. However, Reese’s arm going at Banks’ shoulder is what ultimately upheld the targeting call after review.

As a result of his targeting call, which also came with a 15-yard penalty, Reese will also miss the first half next week at No. 3 Penn State.

Ohio State coach Ryan Day was given a warning by officials for a personal foul, as he threw his headset seat after the call. Play on the field was also delayed for water bottles being thrown onto the field.

Nebraska got the ball at its 46-yard line after the play, giving the Cornhuskers and quarterback Dylan Raiola prime field position to put together a game-winning drive. The Buckeyes’ defense had something to say for that however, as Jordan Hancock came up with an interception to seal the win for Ohio State.

What is targeting in college football?

The NCAA Football rule book dictates that targeting generally must meet one of the following criteria:

Leading with the crown of the helmet
Making forcible contact to head or neck area of a defenseless player

If a player is called for targeting, it results not only in a 15-yard penalty, but also forces an ejection of the offending player. If the call occurs in the second half of a game, it also means the player must miss the first half of their ensuing game.

It was supposed to be demanding. It was supposed to be difficult. 

Saturday at MetLife Stadium was supposed to present plenty of issues for No. 11 Notre Dame, except for what it turned out to be in the swamps of New Jersey. 

Dominant. 

In the shadows of the city that never sleeps, Notre Dame put No. 24 Navy to sleep rather easily and efficiently. The Irish ran their win streak to six in a row and carry a look and a feel of a team on the verge of climbing back from oblivion and into the top 10 national rankings following a 51-14 victory. 

Navy entered undefeated and untested, but this wasn’t Bucknell. This wasn’t Temple. Or Memphis. Or any other colleague that Navy has seen or will see in the American Athletic Conference. Notre Dame was at another level Saturday, one that Navy couldn’t match. 

Bigger. Faster. Stronger. Better. 

Noon starts are tricky, especially in the big city for a team from a small one. Notre Dame handled its business not like a businessperson who spent too many of the early-morning hours the night before across the river in a Times Square gin mill, but in the hotel making sure everything about the next day’s presentation was right. And tight. 

The Irish returned to their usual road look — white jerseys, gold pants — and continued to methodically wear down the opposition. Lean on them. Push them around. They still left plenty of plays (and points) out there, but that’s been this team’s M.O., this season. 

ABC sideline reporter Molly McGrath reported during the first half that Irish coach Marcus Freeman still shows video clips to his team before every game of the Northern Illinois loss. To remind them what that feeling that day felt was like. To remind them that they don’t want to feel that again. 

Keep reminding them what happened that day back at Notre Dame Stadium against Northern Illinois. Whatever emotions it seems to stir inside Notre Dame, it’s worked. The Irish have outscored their last three opponents — Stanford, Georgia Tech, Navy — by a combined 131-34. 

Since the Louisville game, Notre Dame rarely has been threatened. Seriously threatened. Wait, check that. There has been a threat the last three games. That would be one for severe weather at the start of the fourth quarter against Stanford. The weather threat, it turns out, turned out to be much more like the last three opponents. Not much. 

One more month of that coming back out of the season’s second bye week, and the Irish will be in a good spot, one that few thought possible after that, cough, cough, September head-scratcher. 

This one never was in doubt after Notre Dame led 31-7 at half. It never got as goofy as the second half of the 2022 Navy game in Baltimore. Creating six turnovers as the Irish did will do that. So will being the better team. 

A run game that sputtered early saw one writer (this one) opine in his notebook that the traditional ground game — giving the ball to Jeremiyah Love and/or Jadarian Price — had gotten off to a “clunky” start. 

Clunky being seven carries for 23 yards for two guys who can be gamebreakers. 

Clunky turned spunky. 

One play after scribbling that thought, Love broke through the right side, cut it wide and raced a career-high 64 yards for a touchdown that made it 21-7. That was more like it for that Irish offense. 

More Riley Leonard, please. More of tight end Mitchell Evans, please. More of wideout Jordan Faison, the Sun Bowl most valuable player who Notre Dame seemed bent on getting the ball to more Saturday than at any time this season. See what a finally healthy ankle can do for Faison (three catches Saturday after four all season), and what he can do for an Irish offense? 

This one went sideways so quickly that you could’ve gone full-on apple picking or leaf blowing or nap taking by intermission. Late in the third quarter, the ABC television crew was dusting off the story of why Navy and Notre Dame play each season. Sigh.

It was that kind of afternoon. By the time we got to the fourth quarter, you wished for a running clock for the third straight game. 

It also was the third consecutive sweat-free/stress-free Saturday for Notre Dame. Feels good, doesn’t it? 

Follow South Bend Tribune and NDInsider columnist Tom Noie on Twitter: @tnoieNDI