Amount of Points Being Scored Isn't All Good for Navy

Navy Coach Paul Johnson played basketball, not football, in college, and some of the scores his team has put up recently seem to belong in his former sport rather than his current one.

The past seven games for the Midshipmen have included scores of 46-43, 48-45, 59-52, 46-44 and 74-62. The most recent game -- a 74-62 victory Saturday over North Texas -- set four division I-A offensive records, including most combined points in a regulation game and most points in a quarter (the teams scored 63 points in the second quarter).

The Midshipmen (6-4) set a school record with 572 yards rushing. Junior Shun White had 131 yards on seven carries, senior Zerbin Singleton had 103 yards on eight carries and fullbacks Adam Ballard and Eric Kettani combined for 161 yards on 19 carries.

North Texas played a basic 4-3 defense that sometimes turned into a 6-1 formation. Navy practices against that alignment most often, White said. The key was the blocking on the perimeter by the slot back who was not receiving the option pitch.

"Once the slot back got to the perimeter and was able to make a block, it opened the gates," White said. "Our offense is pretty simple. . . . It was a crazy game. It was a lot of fun to be out there."

Navy's defense may have had a different take. The 49 points it gave up in the first half set a school record. North Texas used quick screen passes combined with poor tackling for several big plays, including scoring passes of 36, 60, 29 and 75 yards.

"We were horrible," defensive coordinator Buddy Green said. "To their credit they threw it around and made us miss. . . . There were a couple times where if we made a tackle it would have been a punt, but we didn't make the tackle and it turns into a touchdown.

"In all my years of experience, all I know how to do is to keep practicing hard and keep fighting hard to get better, and that's what we're doing."

Questionable Status

Junior Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada, the team's starting quarterback, is questionable to play against Northern Illinois (2-8) on Saturday after he left the North Texas game in the second half with what appeared to be a bruised right knee. "If the game were [Monday] he wouldn't play," Johnson said. "We'll evaluate it as the week goes on."

On defense, a pair of starters also are questionable to play. Junior safety Ketric Buffin played briefly against the Mean Green after he injured his arm against Pittsburgh on Oct. 10. Junior cornerback Rashawn King has not played since he was injured against Delaware on Oct. 27.

Poised for Poinsettia

The victory on Saturday guaranteed the Midshipmen a berth in the Poinsettia Bowl on Dec. 20 in San Diego against a to-be-determined team from the Mountain West Conference.

Navy players spent yesterday learning of their itinerary for the bowl. Also, the Midshipmen could clinch their fifth straight winning season with a victory in any of their next three games.

"The neat thing about [Saturday's] game is the last time we were home, we laid an egg against Delaware but with the Notre Dame win, nobody remembers it," Johnson said.