Midshipmen brace for potent Bulls

TAMPA — Houston one game, Memphis the next and now USF.

No. 22 Navy is facing a steady stream of high-scoring teams in the American Athletic Conference and finding one of the best ways to defend them is to keep the ball away from opposing offenses.

“We’re very cognizant of time,” coach Ken Niumatalolo said, noting how important it will be to limit the number of possessions for USF, when the West Division-leading Midshipmen (5-1, 4-0) face the Bulls (6-2,3-1) tonight. “One way to stop them is to keep them on the sideline.”

USF is averaging 487.1 yards and 42.4 points per game in getting off to one of the best starts in school history. The Bulls scored at least 35 points in their first seven games before being held to a season-low 30 in a 16-point loss at Temple.

Navy rushed for 442 yards — most ever by a USF opponent — during a 29-17 victory in Annapolis last season. And it could take another dominating ground performance to remain unbeaten in conference play.

“I know they had a tough one the last time [against Temple], but they've been playing really well,” Niumatalolo said, adding that the Bulls' high-scoring attack begins — but doesn't end — with dual-threat star Quinton Flowers.

Flowers is the second-leading rusher among quarterbacks in the nation behind Louisville's Lamar Jackson. Throw in two-time conference rushing leader Marlon

Mack, who has run for a conference-best 10 TDs, and leading receiver Rodney Adams, and the Midshipmen figure to have their hands full.