Moehring moves to front of kicking line for Midshipmen
One could forgive the Navy football players for not knowing Bennett Moehring was on the verge of a significant career milestone going into Saturday’s game against Memphis .
Moehring needed just one successful point after touchdown kick in order to become Navy’s all-time leader in that category. The big moment finally came in the fourth quarter after quarterback Malcolm Perry scored off a spectacular 17-yard run.
Moehring booted the ball through the uprights for his 113th career extra point, surpassing Nick Sloan (2012-2015) on the school’s list. The senior was somewhat surprised when several teammates patted him on the helmet and back in recognition of the accomplishment.
“It was actually funny. A lot of guys knew – a lot more than I thought. When I came back to the sideline they all congratulated me and it was a pretty cool moment,” Moehring said.
Moehring has now made 113 of 117 extra point attempts with three of the misses coming his sophomore season – his first as the starter. The Arkansas native, who was ranked the No. 1 placekicker in the recruiting Class of 2015 by Chris Sailer Kicking, noted that opportunity is the key to setting such a record.
“I think it’s more of a testament to Coach Niumat and Coach Jasper dialing up the offense and getting into the end zone that many times,” he said.
It is true that Navy’s triple-option offense, which has scored touchdowns at a record rate since being installed in 2002 by former coach Paul Johnson, has led to a lot more point after touchdown attempts. Four of the top five kickers on the extra points list played during the current triple-option era with Sloan (112 extra points) being followed by third place Joey Bullen (2005-2008, 105) while Austin Grebe (2014-2015) and Matt Harmon (2005-2008) are tied at 91.
“Obviously, it’s a huge honor to just look at the list and see all the names on there. There’s a great tradition of Navy specialists,” Moehring said. Navy safety Sean Williams, a Memphis native who was a first team All-State selection at Cordova High.
Despite being named a Liberty Bowl All-Star as a senior, Williams was not seriously recruited by Memphis, which at the time was led by former coach Justin Fuente. Williams chose Navy over service academy rivals Army and Air Force and has been a key player since his freshman season.
Williams has made 27 career starts and recorded 177 career tackles. The 6-foot-1, 197-pounder has been praised by secondary coach Dan O’Brien for being equally strong against both the run and pass.
Williams showed on Saturday that Memphis made a mistake by overlooking the hometown kid, recording a team-high nine tackles and forcing two fumbles. Navy’s co-captain was named American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week.
Williams and inside linebacker Taylor Heflin were named Co-Defensive Players of the Game by the Navy coaching staff. Heflin had a huge outing with seven tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery.
Inside linebacker Hudson Sullivan, defensive end Jarvis Polu, outside linebacker Elan Nash, safety Juan Hailey, cornerback Jarid Ryan and reserve safety Noruwa Obanor all earned honorable mention on the defensive side of the ball.
Perry was named Offensive Player of the Game by the coaching staff. Wide receiver-quarterback Zach Abey and starting center Ford Higgins were honorable mention. Saturday, 3:30 p.m. TV: CBS Sports Network Radio: 1090 AM Special effort: Saturday’s victory over Memphis was particularly special for Wiped out: Navy got hit hard at the inside linebacker position during the Hawaii loss. Griffin Baumoel, Tyler Pistorio and Matt Stewart all sat out the Memphis game and none of them are on the depth chart this week.
Baumoel, who had been the backup behind Heflin at the MIKE position, is set to have surgery and will be lost for the season. Stewart, who was listed No. 3 at MIKE, could return this Saturday.
Pistorio, who was third string at the SAM spot, is in the concussion protocol. Pistorio and Stewart are both key figures on special teams.