Mids know they need win over SMU

The PonyGrad · Post by **The PonyGrad** » Tue Nov 08, 2011 4:05 pm

Victory over Mustangs

needed for bowl shot

Head coach Ken Niumatalolo's message to the Navy football team was the same after Saturday's 42-14 rout of Troy as it was during a six-game losing streak. Niumatalolo told the Midshipmen to forget about that win and move on to the next game, which comes Saturday in Dallas against Southern Methodist University.

"That win gave us some hope for this week. Now this game means a lot," Niumatalolo said. "Obviously, winning this game is important for our other goals. There's a lot riding on this game so hopefully we'll be ready."

Indeed, a loss would guarantee the Midshipmen their first losing season since 2002 and eliminate them from bowl contention. However, a victory at Gerald J. Ford Stadium would keep alive the hope of finishing the season on a four-game winning streak to forge a 6-6 record and earn a berth in the Military Bowl, for which Navy has a contract to appear.

Niumatalolo admitted there were several encouraging signs that came out of Saturday's blowout of Troy, a contest that saw Navy score touchdowns on five straight possessions to take a commanding 35-0 halftime lead. Three areas that have been problems all season - red zone offense, third down defense and placekicking - were improved on Saturday.

"Defensively, we've been working on third-down conversions, trying to get teams off the field. I thought we did a good job with that. Offensively, we've been working on the red zone and (Saturday) we were five-for-five," said Niumatalolo, who was also pleased that kicker Jon Teague went 6-for-6 on extra points.

Navy had its triple-option offense clicking on Saturday in accumulating 517 yards, its second-highest total this season. The Midshipmen rolled up 390 rushing yards and have moved back up to third nationally in that category. Quarterback Kriss Proctor, who performed well despite playing with a dislocated left elbow, said the first half offensive explosion gave the entire team a lift.

"It just gets that positive state-of-mind going. It's so important to get off to a good start to get things rolling. It gets everyone to stop thinking, 'Is the offense going to score? Can the defense get a stop?' It just sets a better mood on the sidelines," Proctor said. "We've had drives this year when we've gone right down the field and scored touchdowns. We've put together those types of drives here and there. This was the first time in a while that we played a whole game and really executed up and down the field from start to finish."

Navy's defense, which ranks at the bottom of the 120-team Football Bowl Subdivision in almost every major category, also played much better on Saturday - holding Troy to 330 yards. That was the second-lowest total against the Midshipmen this season.

"It felt great. At the same time, it hurts to know we could have been that all season long," Navy senior safety Kwesi Mitchell said. "If we had played the way we did last Saturday in some other games, we might have been able to change the outcome. Hopefully, we can build on that performance."

Navy will likely need to author its finest defensive effort of the season in order to contain SMU and its high-powered passing offense, which ranks 15th in the country with 296.3 yards per game. Head coach June Junes is considered one of the foremost masterminds of run-and-shoot offense and has the Mustangs operating the system at a high level in just his fourth season at the helm.

"It's fun to watch, but it's not fun to defend," Navy defensive coordinator Buddy Green said. "They're very precise in what they do and are dialed in. The quarterbacks are well-schooled with where to go with the ball."

SMU made a quarterback switch this season, replacing two-year starter Kyle Padron with New Mexico State transfer J.J. McDermott. The 6-foot-4, 227-pound senior was outstanding in leading the Mustangs to their biggest victory in years, throwing for 349 yards and four touchdowns in a 40-33 upset of then 20th-ranked TCU.

"This is definitely going to be a huge challenge because SMU has a great passing game. They always give you a tough time with the way they stretch the field vertically," Mitchell said. "At the same time, I love playing passing teams because it gives us more opportunities to make plays."

Navy cannot focus solely on the pass since running back Zach Line leads Conference USA in rushing with 1,089 yards and 17 touchdowns. The 6-foot-1, 230-pound bruiser, who was recruited as a linebacker, has topped the 100-yard mark in seven of nine games this season.

SMU is vastly improved on defense this season, ranking 35th nationally with 346.3 total yards allowed per game. Middle linebacker Taylor Reed (60 tackles) and strong safety Ryan Smith (53) lead the Mustangs, who boast the country's No. 18 rushing defense. Opponents are gaining just 106 yards per game on the ground, although that is skewed by the fact SMU has played almost exclusively spread passing teams.

"We've got a big, big challenge this week with SMU. We're going to have our hands full," Niumatalolo said. "We know we're playing a very good football team. We've played these guys for the last three years so we know how good they are. We better be ready to go because this game is going to be tough."

Navy has won three straight meetings with SMU - 34-7 in 2008, 38-35 in overtime in 2009 and 28-21 in 2010. The Midshipmen are 7-1 versus the Mustangs since 1995.

http://www.hometownannapolis.com/news/n ... o-SMU.html

redpony · Post by **redpony** » Tue Nov 08, 2011 5:45 pm

Go ponies- sink navy.

smupony94 · Post by **smupony94** » Tue Nov 08, 2011 5:56 pm

Go Pinies

GiddyUp · Post by **GiddyUp** » Tue Nov 08, 2011 6:02 pm

Too bad we'll mess up their plans.

Dutch · Post by **Dutch** » Tue Nov 08, 2011 10:52 pm

Go Mustangs.

2ndandlong · Post by **2ndandlong** » Tue Nov 08, 2011 10:53 pm

Go Pinies!

PonyPlayer4 · Post by **PonyPlayer4** » Tue Nov 08, 2011 11:10 pm

Go stangs.

GiddyUp · Post by **GiddyUp** » Tue Nov 08, 2011 11:18 pm

I really hope we start strong and don't let up this week.

ALEX LIFESON · Post by **ALEX LIFESON** » Wed Nov 09, 2011 9:57 am

Check my post from Sunday.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=57330

ponyte · Post by **ponyte** » Wed Nov 09, 2011 10:08 am

Troy is one of the least successful programs this year. We should be much better on Defense, Offense and special teams as compared to Troy. We should be more athletic and we are definitely more experienced than last year.

Keys, Force 3rd and longs.
Catch the ball Do that and we contiune to move the ball
Vastly reduce turnovers
Create turnovers
Limit kickoff and punt returns by Navy
Block one Navy kick.

redpony · Post by **redpony** » Wed Nov 09, 2011 10:13 am

ponyte- you forgot one last key- Score more points than navy. :roll:

GO PONIES!!!

smupony94 · Post by **smupony94** » Wed Nov 09, 2011 10:26 am

SMU knows we need a win over Navy

Moose · Post by **Moose** » Wed Nov 09, 2011 12:09 pm

Zach will have a huge day against this D!