Army and Notre Dame have at least one thing in common this season: Each has had trouble against option attacks.

When they meet on Saturday in San Antonio at the Alamodome, Army (5-4) just might have a small edge. The Black Knights use the clock-chewing triple option, and the Irish (3-6) are reeling from a one-point loss to Navy, their third setback in four games in what so far is the worst of Brian Kelly's seven seasons as head coach.

The chance to play in a bowl game is still a possibility for both teams. Kelly said he planned no changes.

“We're all going through a tough spot, but we're persevering,” Kelly said. “It's not where anybody wants to be. But we're handling the situation as best we can and we're trying to make certain that everything that we do makes us stronger for right now and for the future.”

The Black Knights are coming off a 31-12 loss at home to Air Force, whose option was in high gear. Despite a subpar showing against the Falcons — 144 yards on 40 carries — Army still ranks second nationally in rushing (320.3 yards per game), averaging 5.3 yards per carry.

“Defensively, another challenge of playing a triple-option team that runs the ball very, very well and can be opportunistic throwing the football,” Kelly said. “So, focus is on, obviously, the details and the execution. In a large degree, we were able to do a lot of those things well last week, but not as well as Navy.”

Notre Dame's six losses have come by a combined 29 points (4.8 per game), and all were one-possession games.

“That happens,” Army coach Jeff Monken said. “They've had opportunities to win a lot of football games and just haven't had a break go their way or the other team has made a play. That's sports.”

Last week, trailing 28-24 midway through the fourth quarter Kelly opted for a 31-yard field goal instead of gambling on fourth-and-4 deep in Navy territory. He made the call even though his defense had not forced a punt, and Notre Dame never got the ball back, finishing the game with just six possessions.

Navy ran out the clock with its triple-option offense, converting two huge fourth-down plays on the final drive.

“We learned quite a bit the last week. We definitely learned how to value our possession on the offensive side of the ball,” Notre Dame quarterback DeShone Kizer said. “When you have the opportunity to take shots, you've got to be successful with them because your possessions are limited when you're playing against a triple-option team.”