Midshipmen reload, aim for division title
Orlando Sentinel college insider Matt Murschel ranked all 130 Football Bowl Subdivision teams in the country entering the 2017 season. The Sentinel staff takes a closer look at a new team daily, counting backward from No. 130 to our projected No. 1 team.
Navy Ken Niumatalolo (77-42, entering 10th season; 77-42 overall)
9-5, 7-1 in American Athletic Conference, finished first in West Division
Known for its consistency, Navy delivered again during the 2016 season. The Midshipmen came out on top of their division despite losing Keenan Reynolds, the best quarterback in school history, to graduation and his replacement, Tago Smith, suffering a seasonending injury the first week of the season. Navy was again challenged when backup QB Will Worth left the AAC title game early due to an injury, helping Temple pull away for a 34-10 win.
Starters and contributors missed a combined total of 102 games last season due to injuries. Despite all the challenges, coach Ken Niumatalolo’s team posted nine victories, tying for the fifthmost in school history. Navy finished the season with a 48-45 loss to Louisiana Tech in the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl.
4 Bonner, LB D.J. Palmore, DB Alohi Gilman, QB Zach Abey
QB Zach Abey returns to lead Navy’s offense after being thrust into the starting role for the final two games of 2016 season following the injuries to Smith and Worth. Abey played in five games and completed 20 of his 35 passes for 352 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions. Abey carried the ball 70 times for 384 yards and six touchdowns and was named Navy’s MVP in the Armed Forces Bowl after rushing for a career-high 114 yards on 25 carries and two touchdowns. He also completed seven of his 12 passes for a career-best 159 yards and a touchdown against Louisiana Tech.
While the team lost seven offensive starters, Niumatalolo and offensive coordinator Ivin Jasper have consistently generated production from the team’s triple-option based system.
“I like where we’re at at this point,” Niumatalolo said. “I like our senior leadership; my two captains — Daryl Bonner and D.J. Palmore — have done a really good job in the [offseason] leading our team.” Depth at running back is limited given that even last season’s backups are gone. Bonner, a slotback, and Chris High, a fullback, will return to help lead the ground game.
Bonner, elected a co-captain this season, played in 12 games last year, rushing for 227 yards and two touchdowns and was Navy’s second-leading receiver with 10 catches for 278 yards and three touchdowns.
The triple-option offense has helped the Midshipmen win consistently despite personnel changes. In the past 14 years, they have never finished lower than No. 6 nationally in rushing yards per game. With several key players returning, Navy should be in position to again push to be at the top of the AAC West.