KC Star: Navy Preview

[The PonyGrad]

FACTS & STATS: Site: Gerald J. Ford Stadium (32,000) -- Dallas, Texas. Television: FSN. Home Record: Navy 2-3, SMU 4-0. Away Record: Navy 1-3, SMU 2-3. Neutral Record: Navy 0-0, SMU 0-0. Conference Record: Navy 0-0, SMU 4-2. Series Record: Navy leads, 8-7.

GAME NOTES: Navy looks to continue its recent domination of SMU when the Midshipmen take the field in Dallas on Saturday against the Mustangs.

The Midshipmen only hold an 8-7 edge over SMU in the all-time series, but Navy has won the last four matchups and seven of the last eight. The last time the two teams squared off, the Midshipmen claimed a thrilling, 38-35 overtime decision over SMU.

It has certainly been a rough season for the Midshipmen, as they have dropped six of their nine matchups. Navy actually opened the year with two straight wins, but that was followed by a six-game slide. Fortunately the team was able to break back into the win column in its last game, as Navy defeated Troy, 42-14.

As for the Mustangs, they also snapped a losing skid, as the team bounced back from two straight losses with a 45-24 decision over Tulane. It was the fourth Conference-USA win for SMU, which also pushed its home mark to 4-0 on the season.

There is no secret to Navy's offensive approach. The Midshipmen are going to run the ball early and often, a formula for offensive success.

Navy heads into this weekend averaging 318.0 ypg via the run, and that is good for third best in the nation. Leading the charge is Alexander Teich, who has 651 yards and three scores on the year. Quarterback Kriss Proctor, who has thrown seven touchdowns, as also rushed for 10 and is currently second on the team with 628 yards.

The last time the Midshipmen were in action they clobbered Troy on the ground, churning out 390 yards and five touchdowns. Aaron Santiago was the surprising leader for Navy with 80 yards, while Teich added 71 yards and a touchdown. Proctor found the end zone twice on the ground, and also threw one while finishing with 127 yards on 4-of-6 passing.

Unfortunately the defense has not been able to help out, as the Midshipmen come into this game allowing 31.3 ppg. The success of the offense has been the down fall of the defense, as Navy is currently allowing 187.6 ypg on the ground and has surrendered 27 rushing touchdowns.

The Midshipmen were able to hold Troy to just 118 rushing yards on 3.5 yards per attempt, but that was mainly because the team built a 35-0 halftime lead, and the Trojans had to abandon the run in the second half. Tra'ves Bush, who is second on the team with 69 tackles, led the way in the win with 10 stops.

The Mustangs tallied just 10 total points during their two-game slide, but the offense was back to work this past weekend, as SMU clobbered Tulane, en route to scoring 45 points.

J.J. McDermott led the way with 322 yards and three touchdowns through the air. Darius Johnson proved to be his main target, hauling in seven passes for 135 yards and one score. Zach Line gave the offense a balanced attack by rushing for 143 yards and three touchdowns.

Line has been a menace for the opposition this season and comes into this weekend with 1,089 yards and 17 touchdowns. However, McDermott has also caused plenty of problems and continues to get better. After a slow start, the gunslinger has picked up the pace and now has 13 touchdowns on the season and 2,515 passing yards.

While the offense is starting to click, the defense still has a few kinks that need to be ironed out. Even though the Mustangs dismantled Tulane, the Green Wave still managed 214 yards and two touchdowns through the air. Fortunately the one thing that has continued for this unit has been its ability to stop the run, and that was evident against the league foe, as SMU held Tulane to only 57 yards on 30 carries.

SMU has been outstanding in that area sine day one and is currently allowing only 106.4 yards per matchup on the ground. Another strength for this unit has been its ability to pressure the quarterback, as the Mustangs currently have 24 sacks on the year. Taylor Thompson is leading the way with seven, while the team's top tackler, Taylor Reed, has three to go along with his 60 stops.

The strength for SMU's defense is stopping the run, and the weakness for Navy's defense is stopping the run. That translates into Line having a big game for SMU, while the Midshipmen struggle to find the end zone.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: SMU 34, Navy 16


Read more: http://www.kansascity.com/2011/11/09/32 ... z1dFE3gFVj

[The PonyGrad]

After a slow start, the gunslinger has picked up the pace and now has 13 touchdowns on the season and 2,515 passing yards.

[redpony]

Boy I hope JJMcD doesn't have a pickem' truck with the license plate 'gslngr'

GO PONIES!!!