Final exam for Mids’ D
Navy LB Nicholas Straw seeks A-plus defensive performance against Army
Nicholas Straw is a tough grader. When the Navy senior outside linebacker was asked what grade he would give himself and the defense for the season, he responded with a B for individual performance and B- for the entire unit.
That’s despite Straw being the fifth-leading tackler on a defense that ranks fourth nationally in rushing yards allowed per game. Two of the three teams ranked higher than the Mids, Georgia and Michigan, are playing in the College Football Playoff.
As for Navy and Straw, there is only one regular-season game remaining: the Army-Navy Game. The annual rivalry game, set for Saturday at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, is the biggest of the season and a chance
to prove once again how good the defense is and, perhaps, maybe even give his overall grade a boost.
“I think an A requires exceptional play. I would give [defensive captain and linebacker] John Marshall an A, of course. I’m happy with my play, but there’s always more I could have done better,” Straw said. “If I go out and make plays on Saturday and play to the best of my ability then I think I can get to an A.”
Straw, who started all 11 games for Navy and has with 46 tackles (4½ for loss), has earned top marks from his position coach.
“What Nick Straw has given this football team is an A+,” Navy outside linebackers coach Joe Coniglio said. “Consistency is the truest measure of performance and that’s what he does every single day. Nick Straw doesn’t have a bad day. It’s just not a thing.”
As for that B- grade for the defense, Straw said that while effort and statistics are important markers, so is the final score.
“I’m pretty critical of myself and the defense. I think we have done good things at times. We held Notre Dame to 12 total yards in the second half,” said Straw, who will commission as a Navy pilot after graduating in May. “We’ve done good things, but at the end of the day if you’re not winning, then you can’t give yourself a good grade.
“Everybody has been hungry
every single practice, but I’m also not blind. I know that we can
always do better and the moment you stop believing that is when you don’t get better.”
Looking back on the season,
Straw didn’t hesitate when asked if there was one game he would like to play over.
“Air Force. I think a lot of guys would say Notre Dame, but definitely Air Force — that one really hurts me because I know what this team has become over the course of the season,” Straw said referring to a 13-10 loss on Oct. 1. “We left so much on the table in Colorado. I think if we played them now it would be a whole different result. Regardless, the past is the past. They beat us; they earned it. But if I had a time machine, I’d go back and change that.”
Even though the team’s 4-7 record isn’t what Straw hoped for in his senior year, there have been good moments, including the team’s two overtime wins against East Carolina and Temple.
“Those victories are such good feelings, especially the ECU one where we were on the road in a great atmosphere. Getting that win, against a good quarterback, rejuvenated our season,” he said. “But honestly, the best memories will be of my teammates. It’s easy to buy in when you are winning every game. The tough part is when things aren’t going according to the plan. The memories of the games will come and go but playing with great guys is what I will remember forever.”
Straw and Marshall combined to form one of the best outside linebacker tandems in Navy football history. The two have amassed 134 tackles, 22 tackles for a loss and 12 sacks on the season. According to Coniglio, their contributions on and off the field won’t soon be forgotten.
“What makes me feel really good is I know everyone in our room has watched those two guys lead, develop, and work the right way,” said Coniglio, who is in his first season coaching the outside linebackers. “Their legacy will last for a really long time.”
Straw and Marshall will have a familiar responsibility this Saturday — containing Army’s rushing attack, which ranks second nationally, averaging 304 yards per game. Typically, coming off a win against a ranked opponent (Navy upset No. 20 Central Florida, 17-14, on Nov. 19) would carry momentum into the next game. However the threeweek layoff has produced some pros and cons.
“I think it’s tough because it’s the longest break I’ve ever had going into ArmyNavy. The high from UCF kind of dwindles a little bit but having three weeks off has allowed guys to get healthy. That’s been huge for us,” Straw said.
Straw said it wasn’t until Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo told the team a few days ago that the seniors could finish 3-1 against Army that it hit him how significant of an accomplishment that would be, especially compared to 2-2.
“[Going 3-1] sounds a whole lot better. Those wins are so coveted. We all want it so badly and we are going to do whatever it takes to make that happen,” he said.