Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/140903
Navy Midshipmen By Dan Murphy leven of Navy's last 25 games have been decided by seven points or less. In 2011, the Midshipmen went 2-5 in those games and finished the year with a losing record. In 2012, they went 4-0 in close games and made it back to a bowl game to finish 8-5 overall. Navy's limited size keeps it from blowing teams away, so that's the thin line the program must march along each season. This year will be no different — a season that tips toward success or failure on the balance of a few points, possessions or even plays. Navy's luck shifted in the right direction midway through the 2012 campaign thanks in a large part to freshman quarterback Keenan Reynolds. As a sophomore, Reynolds will be asked to do more and open more possibilities for the Mids' traditional triple-option offense. Navy plans to incorporate pistol and shotgun formations into its regular rotation, as well as mixing in more roll-out passing plays for Reynolds, according to Capital Gazette reporter Bill Wagner. "In particular, the Army game showed them that he's a roll-out threat," Wagner said. "When he's out of the pocket he's pretty dangerous. He's really good at throwing on the run." Reynolds' emergence allowed Navy to move former starting QB Trey Miller to slot Game 9 • Nov. 2 • notre dame Stadium E 2013 Schedule DateOpponent Sept. 7 at Indiana Sept. 14 Delaware Sept. 28 at Western Kentucky Oct. 5 Air Force Oct. 12 at Duke Oct. 19 at Toledo Nov. 2 at Notre Dame Nov. 9 Hawai`i Nov. 16 South Alabama Nov. 22 at San Jose State Dec. 14 Army 2012 Result W, 31-30 — — W, 28-21 — — L, 50-10 — — L, 12-0 W, 17-13 Strength: Linebackers Navy lost its top tackler and top playmaker on the edge from its linebacker group, but depth at the position makes it a team strength again in 2013. Senior Cody Peterson began last season on the bench, but grew into arguably the defense's best player by the end of the year. He'll take over in the middle along with converted safety James Britton, who is bulked up to 235 pounds. Former outside linebacker Keegan Wetzel was a playmaker for the Midshipmen. His spot will be filled by A.K. Akpunku and Obi Uzoma, a pair of 6-3, 235-pounders who have a blend of size and athleticism rarely found at a service academy school. X-FACTOR: Keenan Reynolds is one of three players to start at quarterback as a freshman in Navy history, and the first since 1991. He took over the Midshipmen offense for the final eight games of the 2012 season and was named the Independent Rookie of the Year after scoring 19 of the team's 39 touchdowns. photo courtesy navy back, but Miller was dismissed from school this summer. Navy's top three slot backs from 2012 — Gee Gee Greene, Bo Snelson and John Howell — are also all gone. Wagner said the Navy coaches like to find one back they know they can count on when they need a big play or a crucial first down. Greene (877 yards, 7.3 yards per carry) was the go-to man a year ago. That position is vacant heading into training camp, but junior Jeffrey Whiteside looked to be the top choice in the summer. Whiteside carried 16 times for 115 yards in a backup role last year. An increased level of depth and size have helped the Midshipmen weather a handful of losses on defense. Wagner said the secondary will have more capable bodies than they can get on the field this fall. The roster also features three nose tackles that weighed in at more than 300 pounds, a major size upgrade from years past when opposing offensive lines would dwarf the Navy defense. "If they had a nose guard that was bigger than 260 a few years ago it was a big deal," Wagner said. "They get bigger, faster and stronger every year. It's night and day from what it was 10 years ago." Weakness: Offensive Line Blocking schemes for the triple option take time to master and require the offensive line to move as one. At least to start the season that will be difficult for Navy, which had only one of its projected starters healthy during spring practice. "It's almost like a ballet dance with where they go," Capital Gazette reporter Bill Wagner said. "They have to know one another and know what one guy is going to do." This group also lost its best players and its leader in left guard Josh Cabral to graduation last year. His replacement, sophomore E.K. Binns, was the lone healthy starter at practice during the offseason. Prediction Notre Dame 44, Navy 14 — The Irish have won this matchup by more than 40 points in each of the last two meetings. There's no reason to think this year won't be a blowout again. The strides Notre Dame has made in getting physically stronger as a team, especially at the line of scrimmage, have re-opened the gap that existed for so long between these two rivals. Quick Facts All-Time Series: Notre Dame leads 73-12-1 Last Meeting: Notre Dame 50, Navy 10 (Sept. 1, 2012, at Dublin) Head Coach: Ken Niumatalolo, 40-26 (6th year) 2012 In Review: 8-5 overall Final 2012 Ranking: Unranked 2012 Stats Rankings: 77th total offense (383.2 yards per game) and 71st total defense (408.9 yards allowed per game) Returning Starters: 13 (6 offense and 7 defense) Key Losses: SB Gee Gee Greene (877 yards) and LB Matt Warrick (93 tackles) 2013 Preseason Rankings: No. 67 by Athlon and No. 68 by Lindy's Last Bowl Appearance: 2012 (Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl, Arizona State, L 62-28) Did You Know?: The Midshipmen have not finished lower than sixth nationally in rushing offense since 2001 … Notre Dame has won 83 percent of its games against the military schools in program history. Navy was the last service academy to beat the Irish, 35-17 in 2010 … The two teams' 87 consecutive years of games make this series the longest continuous intersectional rivalry in college football. Returning Leaders Rushing: Noah Copeland (738 yards, 5 TD) Passing: Keenan Reynolds (898 yards, 9 TD) Receiving: Shawn Lynch (281 yards, 1 TD) Tackles: Parrish Gaines (69) Sacks: Jordan Drake (2) Interceptions: Parrish Gaines (2) 124 ✦ Blue & Gold Illustrated 2013 Football Preview 116-127.Opponent Previews.indd 124 6/25/13 2:55 PM