NAVY-SMU AT A GLANCE
NAVY KEY: Stay on schedule offensively Navy's offense is allowing an average of five tackles for loss while SMU's defense ranks top 25 nationally with 7.7 tackles for loss per game. The Midshipmen cannot allow that trend to continue in this game as the negative plays are drive-killers. Offensively, Navy needs to stay on schedule and methodically move the chains. The Mids also need to cut down on the penalties after committing eight last Saturday against Lehigh.
SMU KEY: Do not allow big plays SMU has played decent defense minus all the big gains it has given up. North Texas had a 96-yard kickoff return while Texas Christian had a 78-yard punt return. TCU also scored off a 42-yard pass. Michigan had passing touchdowns of 35 and 41 yards. Navy is more than capable of delivering big plays with quarterback Malcolm Perry a threat to go all the way every time he touches the ball. The Mustangs cannot allow the Midshipmen any quick-strike scores.
SERIES HISTORY: Navy leads 12-7 and has won the last eight meetings
INJURY REPORT: Navy – Starting left tackle Kendel Wright (ankle), backup left tackle Jake Hawk (ankle), and starting safety Sean Williams (concussion) are probable; backup inside linebacker Tyler Pistorio (concussion) and kickoff specialist J.R. Osborn are doubtful; Backup cornerback Marcus Wiggins (shoulder), is out. SMU – Starting safety Patrick Nelson (undisclosed); backup tailback Ke'Mon Freeman (shoulder), starting cornerback Jordan Wyatt (undisclosed) and starting cornerback Robert Hayes (undisclosed) are probable; WR Reggie Roberson (undisclosed) is questionable.
OF NOTE: Navy and SMU have played for the Gansz Trophy ever since the longtime assistant coach died on April 27, 2009. Frank Gansz played center and linebacker at Navy from 1957 through 1959 and graduated in 1960. After serving as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force for seven years, Gansz began his coaching career at the Air Force Academy.
Gansz spent a total of 38 seasons in the coaching profession, 24 in the NFL and 14 in the collegiate ranks. He coached at Navy from 1969-72 and his last stop was SMU for two seasons.
SMU head coach June Jones and Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo agreed to dedicate a traveling trophy in honor of the legendary coach. The Midshipmen have won all eight meetings since the Gansz Trophy was created.
“Coach Gansz is a Naval Academy graduate and worked with Coach Jones for many years
That's kind of where it started,” Niumatalolo said. “It's a great way to pay tribute to a great coach who had ties to both schools. We're trying to win the game, but to get the trophy is nice, too.” Navy is one of 30 Football Bowl Subdivision teams to have scored during every trip inside the red zone. The Midshipmen have scored 11 touchdowns and booted three field goals on 14 trips inside the opponent's 20-yard line. Navy is one of only seven FBS teams to still have a perfect conversion rate with double-digit chances. Meanwhile, SMU is allowing scores on 91 percent of red-zone chances. The Mustangs have had 11 opportunities to stop their opponent from scoring in the red zone and have succeeded only once, allowing eight touchdowns. Navy has lost five straight road games dating back to last season.
QUOTE UNQUOTE: “The record is not indicative of how good this team is. They've had to play a really brutal schedule to start the season. We've been playing SMU every year and we know the type of athletes they have. We know it's going to be a great challenge for us.”
— Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo “It's all difficult because they run it so well and are so good at doing it, been doing it for so long. The thing that makes the whole thing work is the precision with which they run it – the decision-making, the discipline, staying ahead of the chains.” — SMU head coach Sonny Dykes