Breaking down the Army-Navy football game

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Keys to the game

Army will win if ... the scoring bug against Navy gets out of offense's system early. Army needs to score a touchdown on its opening drive and keep the momentum going throughout.

Navy will win if ... fullback Alexander Teich can gain consistent yards, attacking the middle of Army's defense. That would give quarterback Ricky Dobbs room to operate the option outside. Army limited Navy fullbacks to 41 yards last season.

Position by position

Quarterbacks
Navy senior Ricky Dobbs still has an experienced edge over his counterpart Trent Steelman. Dobbs is a triple-option master and immediately reads defenses. He's hard to tackle and turns 2-yard losses into 10-yard gains. Only two teams have held Dobbs without a rushing touchdown in his 23 career starts. Dobbs' passing has dramatically improved. His 10 touchdowns are the most at Navy since 1997. Steelman, a sophomore, also has a nose for the end zone. He's started every game since he stepped on post. His 11 rushing touchdowns are tied for 10th in academy history. Steelman's been held to 61 yards his last two games. Edge: Navy

Running backs
Army welcomes sophomore Malcolm Brown back after he missed four games with a collarbone injury. Brown and sophomore Brian Cobbs give Army a chance to get outside against Navy. Army wants to get fullback Jared Hassin, its leading rusher, out in space. Senior running back Pat Mealy may have to pick up the tough yards inside. Navy fullback Alexander Teich has stepped in for senior Vince Murray and averaged 7.7 yards per carry his last five games. Murray, who rushed for 971 yards last season, will give Teich a breather. Navy slotbacks Gee Greene, Aaron Santiago, and Bo Snelson are quicker to the edge than Army. Santiago has caught three touchdown passes. Edge: Navy

Receivers
Army can take advantage of Navy's pass defense, which is ranked 85th, with short throws. Sophomore George Jordan (12 receptions, 127 yards) has worked well with Steelman at times this season. If Army attacks Navy deep, Steelman will look to junior Davyd Brooks (17.2 yards per catch). Greg Jones has 28 catches, the most by a Navy wide receiver since 1994, and four touchdowns. Jones, a converted slotback, is also a running threat. He has 114 yards on four carries. No other Navy wide receiver has more than three catches. Edge: Navy

Offensive line
Army didn't get much push or create space in its last game against Notre Dame. Center Zach Peterson must control nose guard Chase Burge and right tackle Jason Johnson must win the battle against defensive end Jabaree Tuani. Navy lost senior tackle Matt Molloy to a concussion four games into the season. Left tackle Jeff Battipaglia is Navy's most experienced (38 starts) and best lineman. Navy's line is quick and thrives on cut-blocking. Edge: Navy

Defensive line
Army senior defensive end Josh McNary hasn't had a sack in his last four games. McNary, who might play the game as a stand-up linebacker, must take down Dobbs when he drops back but he also needs to keep Navy's quarterback away from the edge. Nose guard Mike Gann excelled in slowing down Navy's fullback dive last season and needs a repeat performance. He should get some help from Chris Swain and A.J. Mackey. Senior defensive end Marcus Hilton set a career high with seven tackles against Navy last year. He must stay active. Navy junior Jabaree Tuani (6-foot-1, 265 pounds) is a bigger version of McNary. He's fast and athletic. Nose guard Chase Burge can be a pain to move in the middle. Senior defensive end Billy Yarborough is experienced and plays his assignments well. Edge: Even

Linebackers
Army senior co-captain Stephen Anderson missed last year's game with a knee injury and can't wait for his final chance against Navy. He might have the toughest assignment on the field - bottling up Teich and Dobbs in the middle. Army could have athletic sophomore Zach Watts, one of its quickest players, back at outside linebacker after a concussion. Junior rover Steve Erzinger may be the wild card. If Erzinger plays a complete game, Army's defense will be tough to move on. Navy lost its top four linebackers to graduation last season. There's no Ross Pospisil or Ram Vela to make big plays. Senior inside linebacker Tyler Simmons leads the team with 111 tackles. Edge: Army

Defensive backs
Army lost Donovan Travis, its secondary captain, early to an ankle injury on special teams last year. Travis is a difference-maker and leads the team with five interceptions. Senior safety Donnie Dixon is a key in stopping Navy's outside run. Cornerbacks Josh Jackson and Richard King can't bite on play-action. Navy's Wyatt Middleton, a four-year starter, can read the option as well or better than the opposing quarterback. Senior Kevin Edwards is a physical corner, which usually gives Army receivers trouble. Sophomore free safety De'Von Richardson replaced senior Emmett Merchant, lost to a concussion, three games into the season. Edge: Navy

Special teams
Army kicker Alex Carlton, a Newark, Del., native, grew up 30 minutes from Lincoln Financial Field. He's a big Eagles fan and would love to speak with Philadelphia kicker David Akers to figure out the wind at the Linc. Carlton missed two of his three field goals last season. He had made his last nine field goals, five from 40 yards or more. Army punter Jonathan Bulls has turned in a solid season, but occassionly shanks a kick. He must be perfect because field position will be important. Navy kicker Joe Buckley has just five field goals and only three outside of 32 yards this season. Navy doesn't punt often. Kyle Delahooke is adequate but doesn't have the greatest hang-time on his kicks. Neither team possesses a big threat in the return game. Edge: Army

Players to watch

Army sophomore quarterback Trent Steelman: Navy will likely try to take away fullback Jared Hassin. So, Steelman needs to run the ball effectively off-tackle on keepers. Navy's pass defense is vulnerable. But Steelman may have to look off his first option.

Army senior nose guard Mike Gann: Gann will likely get some help, but he must find a permanent home in Navy's backfield for Army's defense to slow down Navy's fifth-ranked rushing attack.

Navy sophomore slotback Gee Gee Greene: Greene has scored a touchdown in three of his last four games despite limited touches. Army can't let Greene get in the open field.

Navy senior inside linebacker Tyler Simmons: Army will fire multiple runners at the heart of Navy's defense. Simmons needs to free himself of blockers and hold the middle.



Army 2010 highlights

Black Knights bowl-bound: Four different players scored on touchdown runs as Army defeated Kent State 45-28 and secured its first postseason trip since 1996.

Hassin ?The Assassin?: Sophomore fullback Jared Hassin tied an academy record with four straight 100-yard rushing games in a 42-22 loss to Air Force.

Army defeats ACC foe: Army turned five turnovers into 28 points and snapped a 17-game losing streak to Atlantic Coast Conference teams with a 35-21 win over Duke. Trent Steelman threw two touchdowns and ran for another.

Army shuts down North Texas: Army's defense recorded its first shutout since Oct. 22, 2005 in a 24-0 win. Defensive end Josh McNary had two sacks.

Navy 2010 highlights

Last-second win at Wake Forest: Ricky Dobbs hit Greg Jones on a 6-yard touchdown with 26 seconds left to give Navy a 28-27 victory.

Another Navy rally: Fullback Alexander Teich scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns to lead Navy, which trailed 14-0 at halftime, to a 28-21 over SMU, Army's opponent in the Armed Forces Bowl.

Navy stomps Irish in Meadowlands: Teich rushed for a career-high 210 yards and caught a touchdown pass in Navy's 35-17 romp over Notre Dame at the New Meadowlands Stadium. It was Navy's third win in the last four years over the Irish. Dobbs added three rushing scores.

Scoreboard overload: Navy rolled to a 76-35 win over East Carolina and scored its most points since 1919. The Midshipmen had six touchdowns in second half.

About Navy

n Navy has held Army without a touchdown in the last three meetings. The Midshipmen are looking to become to first team in the series to kept the opposition out of the end zone in four straight games.

n Navy's offense has scored 28 points or more in its last seven games and is averaging 39 points per game in that stretch.

n Four of Navy's wins have come by seven points or less. Navy can post back-to-back 10-win seasons for the first time in academy history if it defeats Army and San Diego State in the Poinsettia Bowl.

 

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Army determined to end scoring drought


Knights have no TDs in last three games vs. Navy



Jason Johnson admits the statistic is a head-scratcher.

Army's offense hasn't reached the end zone in its last three games against service-academy rival Navy. Twelve quarters ? 180 minutes of football ? have passed and not one touchdown.

"It's kind of unbelievable that we haven't done that," said Johnson, Army's right tackle and a fifth-year senior. "I'm really looking forward to Saturday. I think we'll be able to break that curse."

All signs point to Army ending its scoring drought Saturday at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.

The 38 touchdowns this season are the most by an Army team since 1996, when the Black Knights had 42.

This is Army's second season in Rich Ellerson's triple option and continuity helps. Army ran a pro-style offense and switched to modified option in the two previous seasons under Stan Brock.

"We know we need to score touchdowns to win this game," said senior slotback Pat Mealy. "That's always in the back of our minds. We have to execute and finish off drives against these guys."

How dominant has Navy's defense been the last three years? Army has had just four drives inside Navy's 10-yard line. The Black Knights have settled for two field goals and turned over the ball twice.

What's Navy's secret to stopping Army?

"The first thing you do when you come into Navy as a freshman is practice against the option," said Navy junior defensive end Jabaree Tuani. "All camp, all you are doing is going against the offense, going against the offense. You see the option day in and day out."

Navy's defense has plenty of motivation for this game. Navy can become the first team in 111 years of this rivalry to keep the opposition from scoring a touchdown in four straight games.

Johnson and nose guard Mike Gann, another fifth-year senior, are the only players to experience Army's last touchdown against Navy ? a 12-yard pass from Carson Williams to Tim Dunn in 2006.

This is a young Army offense with some hungry players, ready to light up the scoreboard.

"We have to treat this like any other team, walk in with our heads held high and just play confident," said Army sophomore quarterback Trent Steelman. "If we do that and take care of our assignments, we should put up a good amount of points."

Army's Corps of Cadets hopes so. They've been waiting three years to pump out some push-ups.




Touchdown drought
(Army hasn't scored a TD against Navy in the last three meetings)

2009: Navy 17, Army 3

2008: Navy 34, Army 0

2007: Navy 38, Army 3

 

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-Navy Capsule



NAVY KEY: Throw the ball




Army employs a defense known as the Double Eagle Flex, which has proven vulnerable to the pass. That is because the Black Knights employ an eight-man front and pursue inside-out. Offensive coordinator Ivin Jasper could use a controlled passing game to give Army trouble with slotbacks running drag routes or wide receivers running short slants. Jasper could also take some shots downfield. Air Force burned Army for two long passing touchdowns with Jonathan Warzeka scoring on completions of 53 and 63 yards. Last year, Navy went with a conservative gameplan that saw quarterback Ricky Dobbs and fullback Vince Murray combine for 46 carries. Dobbs completed just 3 of 7 passes for 61 yards while the slotbacks touched the ball five times. Army almost certainly has crafted a defensive strategy focused on stuffing the option, so it might be wise for Jasper to open up the offense a bit and throw the ball some. Dobbs is the best passing quarterback of the current triple-option era, so why not take advantage of that strength in this important game?



ARMY KEY: Finish strong

Army?s biggest problem this season has been an inability to score down the stretch. The Black Knights have been outscored 58-13 in the fourth quarter during its five losses. Over the course of the season, Army has been outscored 102-56 after three quarters. The Black Knights will almost certainly have to score some points in the fourth quarter in order to pull the upset today.


INJURY REPORT: Navy - Inside linebacker Max Blue (back) is doubtful; punt returner Gary Myers (neck) is out. Army - Slotbacks Brian Cobbs (concussion) and Malcolm Brown (collarbone) are probable; linebacker Zach Watts (concussion) is questionable.

OF NOTE: Navy has outscored Army 291-74 during its current eight-game winning streak in the series.

* Both teams enter the annual showdown bowl-eligible for the first time since 1996.
* Army has lost 10 straight games to service academy opponents.
* Army must win today to avoid suffering consecutive losses for the first time this season.
* Navy?s offense has scored on 20 of its last 27 possessions (18 touchdowns, two field goals).
* Navy has scored on 33 of its last 34 drives inside the red zone with 31 of those trips resulting in a touchdown.

QUOTE-UNQUOTE:

?There?s an electricity in that stadium that is like no other. Some guys relish that atmosphere and rise to the occasion. Others can?t remember their own name or how to tie their shoes. We have to make sure we keep our emotions in check. We have to be focused and relaxed and remember our assignments.?

? Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo

?We still have not performed well on the big stage. Twice this season we stepped onto the big stage under the bright lights and did not play well. That?s the next challenge for us culturally. We want to play Army football and find out whether we?re good enough to beat Navy.?

? Army head coach Rich Ellerson