Notre Dame's hopes for a BCS bid ended with its 2nd loss to Navy in three season as the Irish fell 23-21 at Notre Dame Stadium to the Midshipmen to drop to 6-3 on the season.

Notre Dame left 27 points off the scoreboard while inside the red zone in the defeat.

Navy becomes bowl eligible with the victory. The last time Navy beat Notre Dame twice in three season---was the last two times the Midshipmen beat the Irish--- 1961 and 1963.

In between those two periods, Notre Dame won 43 straight in the series.

Navy jumped out to an early 14-0 lead on a Ricky Dobbs touchdown on 4th and goal from the one and then on the 1st play of the 2nd quarter when Vince Murray rushed 25 yards untouched up the middle for a score.

Nick Tausch missed two first half field goals---from 41 and 30 yards out---snapping his ND record stretch of 14 consecutive field goals made.

After Navy went up 14-0, Jimmy Clausen led the Irish on an impressive drive including keep passes to Michael Floyd, who was playing in his first game since returning from collar bone surgery.

Notre Dame went for it on 4th and goal, and Ram Vela hurried Clausen after a fake reverse, and Clausen's pass attempt to Duval Kamara went incomplete.

After holding Navy to start the 3rd quarter, Clausen led the Irish on its first scoring drive. Robert Hughes finished off the 10 play, 4:00 drive with a one yard touchdown run to make it 14-7.

Navy quickly responded as Dobbs decided to throw and completed a 52 yard touchdown pass to Greg Jones to make it 21-7.

The next Notre Dame drive was the turning point of the game. Clausen completed a pass to Kyle Rudolph (his only one of the game) and Rudolph went for a 1st down but landed on his shoulder. Rudolph was injured and left the game---and did not return.

Then on the final play of the 3rd quarter, Clausen elected to scramble on 1st and goal and as he approached the end zone he collided helmet-to-helmet with a Navy defender. Clausen fumbled the ball at the one yard and instead of a touchdown for the Irish to make it 21-14, the Midshipmen recovered to take possession.

Clausen remained down for a while before finally getting up on his own power. He appeared very woozy but stayed in the game.

On the next Irish drive--in the 4th quarter--- Clausen hit Mike Ragone for a 30 yard completion.

Notre Dame had a first and goal at the Navy 12 when miscommunication between Clausen and Floyd caused Clausen to hit Floyd in the back with the pass----Vela was there to make the catch and interception.

The Irish defense then stopped Navy and Notre Dame got the ball back.

Clausen then engineered a 90 play, 90 yard drive in less than two minutes, this time hitting Floyd for a touchdown pass to make it 21-14.

The Irish defense again held Navy---giving Notre Dame one last chance.

The Midshipmen sacked Clausen on 3rd down and then facing a 4th and 20, Clausen was sacked in the end zone for a safety to make it 23-14 with 1:00 left in the game.

The Irish went for an onside kick and recovered. Clausen then hit Tate for a touchdown pass to make it 23-21 with 24 seconds left.

Notre Dame couldn't recover a 2nd onside kick attempt and Navy ran out the clock for the win.

Next up for the Irish is 13th ranked Pittsburgh, which improved to 8-1 on the season.