Football: Mids might employ two-quarterback system
Quarterbacks will be the focus on Saturday when Navy meets Duke down in Durham, N.C.
It is becoming more apparent that Navy head coach Paul Johnson is planning to use backup quarterback Brian Hampton in order to keep starter Lamar Owens fresh.
Meanwhile, Duke has trotted out three different signal-callers at times this season, and it's anyone's guess how head coach Ted Roof will play it this week.
Navy is in the midst of the longest regular season layoff in program history - 21 days. Much of that down time has been spent discussing the cramps that plagued Owens in both the Maryland and Stanford games.
Johnson reiterated what he said last week while preparing for Rice, calling it "more than likely" Navy would employ two quarterbacks.
"We'll have to play it out and see what happens," said Johnson, unwilling to elaborate on the topic. "We've played two in every game so I don't know why we wouldn't do it now."
Hampton entered the Maryland and Stanford games out of necessity after Owens began to cramp. Fans will find out Saturday whether Johnson plans to script Hampton into the gameplan, in essence pre-determining when and how long he will play.
Hampton gave no hint as to how things might be different against Duke, saying he's simply been told to "be prepared."
"Whenever I have an opportunity to go into the game, I need to be ready to perform," he said.
Hampton gained valuable experience while leading Navy on a 16-play, 80-yard scoring drive late in the fourth quarter versus Stanford. He admitted the game is begining to slow down.
"Getting out on the field is a whole lot different than playing (in practice)," he said. "I'm seeing more things. I don't have that feeling of rushing anymore."
Meanwhile, Owens is growing annoyed with the continued questions about his cramping. It has been the subject of conversation among Midshipmen in Bancroft Hall, teammates in Ricketts Hall and the media.
"I really don't want to talk about it," Owens said when asked about the situation again yesterday. "I don't mean to be rude. I'm just sick of talking about it."
Owens has been effective this season, showing leadership on the field while generally executing Navy's triple-option offense. The 5-foot-9, 185-pounder has completed 17 of 29 passes for 290 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 130 yards on 29 carries.
The senior from Savannah, Ga., has patiently waited three years for his chance to start. However, he is not bitter about the prospect of Hampton receiving increased playing time.
"That's the coaches' decision. It would be selfish of me to want to play when my body isn't allowing me to function right," Owens said. "If that's what it takes to win, I'm all for it."
Duke lists junior Mike Schneider (6-2, 215) as its starting quarterback. He is more of a classic dropback, pocket passer.
The Blue Devils have used backup Curt Dukes on occasion. He's more of an athletic, mobile type and has been primarily used to run option plays.
There could be a quarterback shuffle in the offing after true freshman Zack Asack played the entire second half in last week's 38-7 loss to Virginia.
Asack, a highly-touted recruit out of Newton, Mass., tossed a touchdown and two interceptions versus the Cavaliers. He is the son of Phil Asack, who played at Duke then later in the NFL with the San Diego Chargers.
Duke has been struggling offensively regardless of who steps under center. The Blue Devils, whose lone win came against Division I-AA Virginia Military Institute, are averaging just 3.6 yards per play.
Navy overcame three early turnovers and steadily seized control in beating Duke 27-12 in last season's home opener at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.
It is Homecoming down in Durham and Johnson is not surprised that Navy was selected as the opponent.
"They probably hand-picked us," Johnson deadpanned. "It's all right. If it was between us and Miami, I'd take us too."
Quarterbacks will be the focus on Saturday when Navy meets Duke down in Durham, N.C.
It is becoming more apparent that Navy head coach Paul Johnson is planning to use backup quarterback Brian Hampton in order to keep starter Lamar Owens fresh.
Meanwhile, Duke has trotted out three different signal-callers at times this season, and it's anyone's guess how head coach Ted Roof will play it this week.
Navy is in the midst of the longest regular season layoff in program history - 21 days. Much of that down time has been spent discussing the cramps that plagued Owens in both the Maryland and Stanford games.
Johnson reiterated what he said last week while preparing for Rice, calling it "more than likely" Navy would employ two quarterbacks.
"We'll have to play it out and see what happens," said Johnson, unwilling to elaborate on the topic. "We've played two in every game so I don't know why we wouldn't do it now."
Hampton entered the Maryland and Stanford games out of necessity after Owens began to cramp. Fans will find out Saturday whether Johnson plans to script Hampton into the gameplan, in essence pre-determining when and how long he will play.
Hampton gave no hint as to how things might be different against Duke, saying he's simply been told to "be prepared."
"Whenever I have an opportunity to go into the game, I need to be ready to perform," he said.
Hampton gained valuable experience while leading Navy on a 16-play, 80-yard scoring drive late in the fourth quarter versus Stanford. He admitted the game is begining to slow down.
"Getting out on the field is a whole lot different than playing (in practice)," he said. "I'm seeing more things. I don't have that feeling of rushing anymore."
Meanwhile, Owens is growing annoyed with the continued questions about his cramping. It has been the subject of conversation among Midshipmen in Bancroft Hall, teammates in Ricketts Hall and the media.
"I really don't want to talk about it," Owens said when asked about the situation again yesterday. "I don't mean to be rude. I'm just sick of talking about it."
Owens has been effective this season, showing leadership on the field while generally executing Navy's triple-option offense. The 5-foot-9, 185-pounder has completed 17 of 29 passes for 290 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 130 yards on 29 carries.
The senior from Savannah, Ga., has patiently waited three years for his chance to start. However, he is not bitter about the prospect of Hampton receiving increased playing time.
"That's the coaches' decision. It would be selfish of me to want to play when my body isn't allowing me to function right," Owens said. "If that's what it takes to win, I'm all for it."
Duke lists junior Mike Schneider (6-2, 215) as its starting quarterback. He is more of a classic dropback, pocket passer.
The Blue Devils have used backup Curt Dukes on occasion. He's more of an athletic, mobile type and has been primarily used to run option plays.
There could be a quarterback shuffle in the offing after true freshman Zack Asack played the entire second half in last week's 38-7 loss to Virginia.
Asack, a highly-touted recruit out of Newton, Mass., tossed a touchdown and two interceptions versus the Cavaliers. He is the son of Phil Asack, who played at Duke then later in the NFL with the San Diego Chargers.
Duke has been struggling offensively regardless of who steps under center. The Blue Devils, whose lone win came against Division I-AA Virginia Military Institute, are averaging just 3.6 yards per play.
Navy overcame three early turnovers and steadily seized control in beating Duke 27-12 in last season's home opener at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.
It is Homecoming down in Durham and Johnson is not surprised that Navy was selected as the opponent.
"They probably hand-picked us," Johnson deadpanned. "It's all right. If it was between us and Miami, I'd take us too."
