Power shortage hits at wrong time
Offensive struggles return as Midshipmen take step back in loss
Navy’s offensive resurgence lasted all of one game.
Coach Ken Niumatalolo had declared “we’re back” after the Midshipmen amassed 406 total yards in an upset of Central Florida last Saturday. That statement was apparently premature.
Just one week later, quarterback Tai Lavatai and company mustered just two sustained drives in a poor performance that will bring renewed questions about what is wrong with Navy’s triple-option offense.
Quarterback Tanner Mordecai completed 30 of 40 passes for 324 yards and two touchdowns to lead No. 24 SMU to a 31-24 victory over Navy. Wide receiver Reggie Roberson piled up 100 yards on five receptions for the Mustangs, who improved to 6-0 after overcoming a 21-7 second-quarter deficit at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis. The Midshipmen fell to 1-4 overall and 1-2 in the American Athletic Conference.
Navy’s defense performed admirably, limiting one of the nation’s most explosive attacks to three offensive touchdowns. SMU also scored on a 95-yard kickoff return by Bryan Massey in the second quarter.
For the Midshipmen, the issue was once again their offense, which produced just 17 points on 241 total yards. SMU’s defensive front dominated at the point of attack and shut down the inside elements of the triple-option.
Afterward, Niumatalolo said SMU did not make any noticeable adjustments after giving up touchdowns on back-to-back Navy drives in the first quarter.
Navy’s offense went three-and-out four times and was forced to punt a fifth time after picking up just one first down beginning early in the second quarter. The only sustained drive over the last three quarters lasted 13 plays and went 42 yards, resulting
in a 50-yard field goal by kicker Bijan Nichols.
“They pretty much did the same things. They just settled in and played well, were very sound,” Niumatalolo said. “They just kind of lined up and said, ‘Here we are, now block us,’ and we couldn’t. They didn’t try to move around and do different things. SMU really got after us up front today.”
Navy had a first-time starter along the offensive line, with sophomore Sam Glover replacing the injured Jake Cossavella at left tackle. Niumatalolo was surprised the offensive line was unable to get much movement after showing improvement against Houston and Central Florida.
“They did a good job of getting penetration and not allowing us to win the line of scrimmage,” Navy slotback Chance Warren
said. “We need to do a better job of making plays. I think we just need to go back to the drawing board and dig in our heels a little more.”
Fullbacks Isaac Ruoss and James Harris II were held to a combined 40 yards as Navy could not establish the dive. Lavatai led the team with 53 rushing yards, but 20 of those yards came on one run early in the third quarter, and he was repeatedly stuffed on inside keepers. The slotback pitch was not a factor either. Navy finished with 177 rushing yards.
“SMU had a good game plan, but I think we were stopping ourselves more,” Lavatai said. “We had missed reads and missed assignments that affected us. Overall, we just have to execute better.”