4 p.m. at Spartan Stadium, San Jose.
Internet: Game televised on ESPN3.com. Radio: WZAA (1050 AM), WBAL (1090 AM), WFED (820 AM), WNAV (99.9 FM, 1430 AM).
Records: Midshipmen 4-6; Spartans 3-7.
mids find successful formula
The Midshipmen have won two in a row thanks to their ability to score first and play keepaway with the triple option. And with San Jose State ranked 103rd in rushing defense, Navy appears to have another favorable opportunity to follow that blueprint. Navy’s rushing offense is ranked second in the nation at 319.7 yards per game, and it has been rolling this month thanks in large part to quarterback Kriss Proctor and slotback Aaron Santiago, both seniors, coming back sooner than anticipated from injuries.
Navy’s defense stepping up
For a second straight game last week, Navy limited a spread offense to 17 points or less, continuing a remarkable turnaround following a 56-14 defeat at Notre Dame on Oct. 29. After the loss to the Fighting Irish, Navy had surrendered at least 35 points in four of six games and at least 38 in three of four. One tweak over the past two weeks — wins over Troy and Southern Methodist — has been defensive coordinator Buddy Green moving up to the press box to call games, allowing him to get a better vantage point for offensive substitutions.
‘ a november to remember’
The rallying cry in Annapolis this month has been “A November to Remember,” and so far the players have made it stand with their most inspired performances of the season. Facing a 3-7 opponent this week that has nothing for which to play other than pride, the Midshipmen have every reason to be excited about completing this month undefeated and then knowing a victory over arch-rival Army on Dec. 10 would secure a ninth consecutive bowl appearance, this one in the Military Bowl at RFK Stadium.
— Gene Wang
