Mids brace for air assault

[The PonyGrad]

By BILL WAGNER, Staff Writer
Capital Gazette Communications Published 10/14/10

One week after being exposed by a controlled aerial attack, the Navy defense must regroup and try to stop an opponent with a far more high-powered passing game.

Wake Forest played dink-and-dunk all day against Navy, throwing underneath with tremendous success in piling up 326 passing yards. Freshman quarterback Tanner Price was not asked to make any difficult throws as the Demon Deacons relied almost exclusively on bubble screens, crossing patterns and short outs to complete 37 of 53 passes.

It was somewhat surprising as Wake came into the contest averaging just 126 passing yards per game, which ranked 114th nationally. Things get much tougher this Saturday as Southern Methodist University ranks 27th nationally in passing offense with 265 yards per game.

Head coach June Jones is widely recognized as football's foremost expert on run-and-shoot offense and in three years at the helm as the Mustangs executing the system at a high level. Sophomore quarterback Kyle Padron has proven a top-notch trigger man, having completed 58 percent of passes (123-212) for 1,564 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Defensive coordinator Buddy Green pointed out one positive from last Saturday is that Wake Forest did not complete any long passes downfield. On the down side, the Demon Deacons had way too many yards after the catch.

"We have to do what we did a week ago and not give up anything over our heads - no deep balls," Green said. "When the ball is caught underneath, we need to do a great job tackling. When we get an opportunity to get our hands on a receiver, we've got to get him on the ground."

Green would also like to see the Midshipmen challenge those short passes more and said it will be imperative to get pressure on Padron. Last Saturday, Price was not sacked a single time, scrambling out of trouble a handful of times.

While SMU sends out four and five wide receivers on most downs, Green said Navy may not necessarily always employ a nickel defense with five defensive backs. That's because the Mustangs also have an effective rushing attack led by bruising 235-pound back Zach Line.

Senior cornerback Kevin Edwards admitted that Navy will need to play much better pass defense than it did against Wake Forest.

"There is a lot we could have done better last week, especially coming up on the short routes and tackling better. We can't allow as much yardage after the catch against SMU," Edwards said. "I feel comfortable with the four guys we've got back there in the secondary. All of us can cover pretty well. We've played two passing teams so far, and even though this is really SMU's game, I think we'll be up to the challenge."

INJURY REPORT: Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo said after practice yesterday that starting fullback Vince Murray (knee), starting nose guard Shane Bothel (toe) and starting safety Emmett Merchant (concussion) would all miss Saturday's game.

Fortunately, backup fullback Alexander Teich only suffered a mild concussion last Saturday and will start on Saturday. Teich has been effective in relief of Murray this season, averaging nearly four yards per carry.

It's sort of a role reversal as Teich began last season as the starting fullback then suffered an injury and was replaced by Murray, who would up rushing for 971 yards in eight starts. Murray is out indefinitely with a sprained left knee, and Teich could regain the starting role if he is productive over the next few games.

"I'm ready. I've been ready for a long time. I've just been doing my part and relieving Vince when necessary, but now it's my turn to be the starter and I have to step," Teich said. "I'm not looking to take Vince's job. I'm just concerned with going out there and performing for the team and making the most of whatever opportunities I get."

Teich has practiced this week despite suffering a mild concussion against Wake Forest. He had trouble answering questions from Dr. Jeff Fair, the team trainer, but wanted to go back into the game nonetheless. It got to the point the Navy equipment staff had to hide Teich's helmet so he would not return to the field on his own.

Bothel is also out indefinitely with a toe injury, but Navy is well-stocked at that position as Chase Burge started games a year ago and Jared Marks has come on strong this season. Merchant suffered a concussion against Georgia Southern and has missed most of the three games since. He has been replaced at free safety by sophomore De'von Richardson, who has played fairly well.

"We've been fortunate in years past to not have many injuries, but that is certainly not the case this season. We've lost our starting right tackle, our starting fullback, our starting nose guard and our starting safety," Niumatalolo said.

Meanwhile, standout defensive end Jabaree Tuani continues to play despite a pair of sore shoulders that prevent him from practicing much during the week. Tuani had eight tackles (three for loss) and a forced fumble against Wake despite having to leave the game twice.

"Jabaree is basically playing on pure guts. He is such a warrior. What he did last week was amazing," Niumatalolo said. "The guy is playing through a lot of pain. You can see it when he comes over to the sidelines and is just grimacing. I have such respect for the toughness of the kid."

Tuani, who ranks fourth on the team with 35 tackles and is tied for the team lead with seven tackles for loss, admitted it's tough to perform on Saturday after being limited all week.

"It's definitely a challenge. You would think it's good to not have to practice, but when it comes game time you wish you would have gotten more reps," he said. "I feel a little more winded at times during games because I'm not getting as much work during the week. I know I'm not in top condition, but at certain points of the game when I know the coaches want me in there, I just have to suck it up and keep pushing through. I know I'm not in the best shape, but I'm going to go out there and play as hard as I can regardless."

GANSZ TROPHY: Navy and SMU now play for the Gansz Trophy, named in honor of the man who had a strong connection to both schools. Frank Gansz played and coached at Navy then later served as an assistant at SMU. Gansz, widely regarded as one of the finest special teams coaches in NFL history, was starting his second season at SMU under current head coach June Jones when he died on April 27, 2009.

Former President George W. Bush, a Dallas resident, presented the Gansz Trophy to Navy after it defeated home-standing SMU 38-35 last year.

Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo confirmed after practice yesterday that former NFL head coach [deleted] Vermeil will present the traveling trophy this year. Gansz served as special teams and tight ends coach under Vermeil when the latter led the St. Louis Rams to victory in Super Bowl XXXIV.

TOO MANY HAPPY RETURNS: Navy's kickoff coverage has been downright horrendous this season as opponents are averaging 28.6 yards per return. Wake Forest freshman Michael Campanaro, a product of River Hill High in Columbia, looked like the second coming off Devin Hester last week in totaling 156 yards on five returns.

"That is definitely an area of concern. It is something we are looking long and hard at. We need to make sure we have the right personnel," Niumatalolo said. "We've definitely got to get better and get some consistency in that part of the game."

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[Harry0569]

beat to the chase my good man

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