Navy at Ball State
Navy slotback Shun White rushed for a school-record 348 yards last week.
(By Gene Sweeney Jr. -- Associated Press)
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Who's Blogging  |
WHEN: 7 p.m.
WHERE: Scheumann Stadium, Muncie, Ind. (22,500)
FORECAST: Partly cloudy, low 70s
TV: ESPN
RADIO: WFED (1050 AM), WBAL (1090 AM), WNAV (1430 AM)
COACHES: Ken Niumatalolo (1-1, first year); Brady Hoke (23-37, sixth year)
RECORDS: Midshipmen 1-0; Cardinals 1-0
WHEN THE MIDSHIPMEN HAVE THE BALL: The Cardinals likely will take a different approach to stopping the triple option than Towson did last week. The Tigers chose to focus their energies on stopping fullback Eric Kettani, which opened things up on the outside for slotback Shun White, who rushed for a school-record 348 yards. Senior quarterback Jarod Bryant will make his second straight start in place of Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada (hamstring), who will be in uniform and could be used if necessary.
WHEN THE CARDINALS HAVE THE BALL: Niumatalolo described Ball State quarterback Nate Davis as "phenomenal," and the junior's performance in a 48-14, season-opening victory over Northeastern was just that: .875 completion percentage (21 of 24), 290 yards, 3 touchdowns. Davis had a hand in all four of the Cardinals' touchdowns -- three passes and one run -- in their 34-31 overtime win in Annapolis last season. Navy's pass defense struggled in the first half against Towson -- Sean Schaefer threw for 225 yards and two touchdowns, and he converted on third and long four times -- but was more effective after the break.
SPECIAL TEAMS: Navy senior Matt Harmon converted field goals of 20 and 31 yards last week, but missed from 47. He made five extra points, becoming the program's record holder in consecutive PATs (52 and counting). Ball State senior B.J. Hill (Riverdale Baptist) had a career-long 72-yard punt return last weekend.
COACHES: Niumatalolo said he was not going to make many changes in his first year as head coach, and against Towson, the Midshipmen certainly followed the same successful formula established by Paul Johnson. The triple option was sharp and produced 558 rushing yards. Hoke returned to his alma mater after the 2002 season, and the Cardinals have steadily improved every year since. Last year, they appeared in their first bowl game since 1996.
-- Camille Powell
