Worth returns home to face Bulls

TAMPA — Navy quarterback Will Worth, a graduate of Newsome High in Hillsborough County, will return to his home region to lead the Midshipmen against the USF Bulls Friday.

Worth, who ran for a career-best 201 yards and totaled five touchdowns (three rushing, two passing) in Saturday’s 42-28 victory against Memphis, was named AAC offensive player of the week Monday.

The backup entering the season, Worth (6-foot-1, 205 pounds) stepped in when Tago Smith suffered a seasonending knee injury in the opener against Fordham. Worth has posted 100-yard rushing efforts in three of his last four games, and has thrown only two picks — both against Air Force — in 62 attempts.

“The way he’s playing right now is pretty much inspiring our whole team, just because of his toughness and his will and his passion,” Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo said.

Navy ranks first nationally in fewest penalty yards per game (19.3), while USF is ranked 82nd (60.4).

USF is working to bounce back from a 46-30 loss to Temple. Bulls coach Willie Taggart said he wasn’t surprised by Temple running back Ryquell Armstead’s performance. Armstead carried the ball 20 carries for 210 yards and two touchdowns.

“We felt like he was a really good back going in,” Taggart said. “He ran the ball really hard. He runs like a running back, he’s built for that offense. He’s powerful, strong and he can run, so it wasn’t a surprise at all. They did a good job and we did a bad job.”