Navy football is prepared for surprises in rivalry game vs. Air Force
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Version 0 of 1. The Navy football team has thrived for more than a decade thanks not only to its triple-option offense but also behind a defense that relies on preventing long gains and sudden changes in momentum. It’s a formula that has produced bowl appearances in 11 of 12 years and five seasons with at least nine victories. In last year’s game against Air Force though, the defense could not hold up its end, yielding four passing touchdowns to an opponent that entered having amassed three in four games. A defining moment in Navy’s 30-21 loss came when Falcons quarterback Kale Pearson sent a backward pass to Jalen Robinette, who threw to fellow wide receiver Garrett Brown for a 54-yard touchdown late in the first quarter. The play remains particularly disheartening to several members of Navy’s defensive backfield who were caught off-guard, including cornerback Quincy Adams. There hasn’t been a single day, he said, when the sting of that loss and subsequently having to relinquish the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy doesn’t cross his mind. It’s also served as additional motivation for Saturday’s rematch in Annapolis. [College football games you need to watch this weekend] “I’ve watched that game many times,” Adams said. “We’re preparing for everything. We expect if we stop the run, they’re going to have to throw, so we’ve got to be ready in the secondary to defend the pass. We really respect those guys as a team and what they do for our country, but we want to bring that trophy back.” With Pearson graduated and starter Nate Romine apparently done for the season with a knee injury, the Falcons have not been nearly as much of a threat throwing the ball this year. But with both teams so familiar with one another, coaches plan for all contingencies, anticipating unconventional methods in trying to advance the ball. Inclement weather could provide another curveball with Hurricane Joaquin advancing up the East Coast and forecasts calling for a high chance of rainy, windy conditions in the Annapolis area. The Naval Academy announced Thursday afternoon on its Twitter account that the game will begin at 3:30 p.m. as scheduled. [Maryland-Michigan game on Saturday moved to noon start from 8 p.m.] Air Force was especially efficient using play-action in last year’s matchup. During its first touchdown drive, Pearson faked a handoff to running back Jacobi Owens before delivering a 48-yard completion to tight end Garrett Griffin to the Midshipmen 3-yard line. Two plays later, Pearson faked a handoff to fullback D.J. Johnson, ran right and threw complete to Alex Ludwig in the end zone. The touchdown drive came after Navy quarterback Keenan Reynolds fumbled, and Air Force recovered at its 41-yard line. “Really every year they do that. Every year they’ve got some good plays,” Navy Coach Ken Niumatalolo said. “We’ve just got to be good with our eyes. This game always comes down to that, who can limit big plays, who can take care of the ball, least amount of penalties. Two evenly matched teams, so the team that makes the least amount of mistakes.” Air Force (2-1) and Navy (3-0) are tied for 22nd nationally in scoring offense (40.3 points per game) and are second and third, respectively, in rushing offense. The Midshipmen average 363 yards per game and the Falcons 367, with Romine and Karson Roberts directing the offense. Roberts took over Sept. 12 in a 37-16 win against San Jose State after Romine was hurt in the fourth quarter. Navy is plenty familiar with Roberts, who started three games in 2013, including a 28-10 loss to the Midshipmen at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. In that game, Roberts competed 6 of 14 passes for 67 yards with no touchdowns and one interception. He also ran nine times for 31 yards. Air Force’s only touchdown came on Anthony Lacoste’s 18-yard run in the first quarter. The Midshipmen have been vigilant this year about limiting big plays despite the absence of defensive coordinator Buddy Green on game days. Niumatalolo elevated longtime assistant Dale Pehrson to the position for this year so Green can focus on recovering from offseason neck surgery. Green is serving as a consultant for the rest of the season. “It’s honestly my favorite offense to play against,” Navy senior defensive end Will Anthony said. “We’ve been watching film, and coaches have talked about [Air Force] running the reverse like four or five times already. We’ve been working on our eyes for the last couple of weeks, so I think this time we’ll do a lot better.” |