Navy Midshipmen
Overall Rank: #47
#3 Independent
Navy Team Page
2010 Record: (9-4)
2010 Bowl: Poinsettia Bowl vs. San Diego State (L 14-35)
Coach: Ken Niumatalolo (27-14 at Navy, 27-14 overall)
Offensive Coordinator: Ivin Jasper
Defensive Coordinator: Buddy Green
Returning Leaders:
Rushing: Alexancer Teich, FB, 868 yards
Passing: Kriss Proctor, QB, 33 yards
Receiving: Gee Gee Greene, SB, 286 yards
Tackles: Jabaree Tuani, DE, 72
Sacks: Jararee Tuani, DE, 5.5
Interceptions: Max Blue, LB, 1; Tra’ves Bush, S, 1; Kwesi Mitchell, CB, 1
Other Key Returnees: OT Ryan Basford, G Josh Cabral, G John Dowd, C Brady DeMell, SB Aaron Santiago, WR Brandon Turner
Key Losses: OT Jeff Battipaglia, DT Chase Burge, QB Ricky Dobbs, CB Kevin Edwards, LB Jerry Hauburger, WR Greg Jones, LB Aaron McCauley, S Wyatt Middleton, S De’Von Richardson, LB Tyler Simmons, DE Billy Yarborough
Breaking in a new quarterback is nothing new for Navy. And this year it is practically a non-issue. Ricky Dobbs may be missed for a little while, but Kriss Proctor has been building up to this season for the past few years. The 6-1 senior has played in 11 games over the last two years and started three. He is a superb rusher and knows how to run the offense.
Strengths:
Proctor may lead the ground assault in the Midshipmen’s triple-option offense, but there are plenty of other rushing threats on this team. Fullback Alexander Teich came out of nowhere last season and tallied 863 yards and five touchdowns on the ground. Slotbacks Gee Gee Greene and Aaron Santiago are also experienced rushers who will get plenty of opportunities. Greene and Santiago are also Navy’s top two returning receivers. However, when Proctor does go to the air, there will not be Greg Jones ready to catch the ball. Brandon Turner will likely emerge as the go-to-receiver. At 6-4, Turner can get some jump balls when Proctor just throws the ball up to his big wideout. Matt Aiken is a nice playmaker as well and he should get some touches in space. The success of the triple-option offense often depends on the play of the offensive line, especially the interior of the line. With guards Josh Cabral and John Dowd and center Brady DeMell all returning, the line will be in great shape and so will this offense.
Weaknesses:
Coach Ken Niumatalolo could rely on his defense to make plays and get the ball back to the offense last season. However, just about every starter is now gone, including the team’s top four tacklers. The good news is that this is still a veteran unit littered with upperclassmen, so in most cases 2010’s backup is now 2011’s starter. Navy will not have to rely on a bunch of completely inexperienced players. The front three features defensive end Jabaree Tuani, who tallied 72 tackles and 5.5 sacks last season. He will again cause consistent havoc in the opposing backfield. The linebackers have more questions. Max Blue and Caleb King started some games last season, but are not locks to step into starting roles. Being in the middle of the 3-4 scheme is very important too and if Blue and King cannot handle the job, somebody else better be able to step up. The loss of four year starter Wyatt Middleton is a big blow to the secondary. Kwesi Mitchell is a fine corner, but besides Mitchell, the secondary is the most inexperienced unit on the defensive side of the ball.
The Bottom Line:
Navy will keep the ball on the ground, but if they want to win nine games again this season they need to be effective when the ball is in the air. Proctor does not need to throw for 150 yards per game, but he does need to prove that he can be a threat to go deep on occasion. With Turner, that threat should exist, but Proctor is not a proven passer by any means. On the other side of the ball this group needs to be able to stop the pass. Tuani will get pressure on the opposing quarterback, but the inexperienced secondary needs to grow up quickly.
Projected Bowl: Military Bowl
2010 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 284.77 (6th in nation, 1st among independents)
Passing Offense: 120.00 (117, 2)
Total Offense: 404.77 (38, 1)
Scoring Offense: 29.69 (45, 1)
Rushing Defense: 165.85 (75, 3)
Pass Defense: 224.69 (70, 3)
Total Defense: 390.54 (75, 3)
Scoring Defense: 23.31 (46, 2)
Turnover Margin: .54 (27, 2)
Sacks: 1.38 (98, 3)
Sacks Allowed: .77 (7, 2)
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