Preview 2019: Previewing and looking ahead to the Navy Midshipmen season with what you need to know.
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– What You Need To Know: Offense | Defense
– Top Players | Key Players, Games, Stats
– What Will Happen, Win Total Prediction
– Schedule Analysis
– Navy Previews 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015
2018 Record: 3-10 overall, 2-6 in American Athletic
Head Coach: Ken Niumatalolo, 12th year, 87-58
5. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE NAVY OFFENSE
– Well … enough of that. The Navy rushing offense was good as always – it finished fifth in the nation averaging 276 yards per game – but it wasn’t the Navy rushing offense. It wasn’t as explosive or as productive as it needed to be, going from averaging 5.6 yards per carry with 4,568 yards and 42 scores in 2017 – and with 61 rushing touchdowns in 2016 – to averaging under five yards per carry with 3,594 yards and 37 scores last year.
At times, the thing just slowed to a dead stop. Navy will now run the triple-option and not mess around with any tweaking. Here’s the knuckleball … try to hit it.
– The main move is to get Malcolm Perry back at quarterback after starting him there last year, and then moving him back to a slotback role. Don’t expect much in the way of passing, but look for the slippery-fast veteran back to add the pop back to the attack. Five of the top seven rushers are gone, but it’s Navy – the smallish, quick backs are there going with good fullbacks to soften things up.
– The offensive front has to mix things up after losing four starters. There aren’t a whole lot of issues, though, with Ford Higgins a veteran at center to anchor the line, and with versatile blockers David Forney and Peter Nestrowitz filling in where needed.
– Navy completed 54 passes last season, but the O has to use 6-5, 215-pound Mychal Cooper down the field more as an outside target – he caught five passes and averaged over 19 yards per grab.
