(09-18-2017 08:32 AM)Racinejake Wrote:  

(09-18-2017 07:42 AM)BearcatMan Wrote:  

(09-18-2017 07:35 AM)BearcatJerry Wrote:  The single thing teams always worry about when playing Navy is dinging up their Defensive...especially the D-line...personnel by chop blocks and the bruising style of play by the option. Navy tends to grind down oposing D-lines as the game goes on. We REALLY need the Offense to give the Defense a break and some limits in this game.

If this game comes all down on the Defense, I'm going to be worried not only about this single game, but about injuries coming out of this game.

That's what I'm worried about too. As long as we remain healthy, that's a win for me, because I was pegging this for a loss from day one.

The one positive is that Fickell has prepared for Navy twice in the last three years, so he has more than enough tape/scout on that offense to be successful.

My fear is that we have a roster full of guys that have never played Navy. While Fickell, Tenuta, etc. can provide the right gameplan to defend the option, the guys on the field have never seen it. And especially to see it at the speed and level of proficiency that Navy will run it.

Our offense is going to need to break out because my sense is Navy will put some points on the board.

For me at least, there is nothing "cooler" to talk about preparing for a college football game than when facing a team like Army or Navy, but especially Navy. As a former player like many others that played.....you have to know that actually it isn't that its "that tough" to prepare to face an option/triple option or flexbone team. It truly isn't.

This is football at its absolute essence IMO. As a defensive player your BP cannot help but go up a few points in playing against this style. Slotback city.... Oh my....this is what it's all about IMO. But the most dangerous teams that employ this will lay the wood with the pass "just because." That's really what it's about, you are so amped to pop that fullback or slotbacks and then they hit you with a quick strike pass that splits your dbacks or the dreaded "missed assignment" that really against this type of offense isn't actually missed as much as you were tricked.

I can see it going to either team. CLF is a different animal IMO coach wise and person wise, as a player he would excel in matchups like this, of course he isn't playing but I feel good with him coaching our kids against these fellas

(09-21-2017 03:54 PM)usnausmc Wrote:  

(09-18-2017 07:35 AM)BearcatJerry Wrote:  The single thing teams always worry about when playing Navy is dinging up their Defensive...especially the D-line...personnel by chop blocks...

Just to clarify, Navy uses "cut" blocks, which are legal, everyone uses them. Chop blocks are illegal, and you would be hard pressed to find a Navy penalty in the past 10 years for chop block. I can recall one...and I remember it because it is so rare.

Regardless, I hope for a great game with no injuries, and I hope that all of you visiting my alma mater for the game have a great time in Annapolis. I plan to make the trip when we play you in Cincinnati.

Sorry, I wasn't trying to say that Cut-blocks were necessarily illegal nor that other O-lines use them. But Navy has had a bruising reputation over the years. Take it as a compliment. Navy's traditionally had a tough O-Line, and I worry that if our D has to spend a lot of time out on the field against them, we're going to get dinged up.

FWIW, we will actually face another Option-style offense this year in Tulane as well.

I watched Tulane vs. Navy. Tulane used 5 down lineman, which eliminated a lot of the cut blocking used by Navy. Tulane played them very close and probably should've won the game.

(09-21-2017 08:30 PM)BringBackthe Glory Wrote:  

(09-18-2017 08:32 AM)Racinejake Wrote:  

(09-18-2017 07:42 AM)BearcatMan Wrote:  

(09-18-2017 07:35 AM)BearcatJerry Wrote:  The single thing teams always worry about when playing Navy is dinging up their Defensive...especially the D-line...personnel by chop blocks and the bruising style of play by the option. Navy tends to grind down oposing D-lines as the game goes on. We REALLY need the Offense to give the Defense a break and some limits in this game.

If this game comes all down on the Defense, I'm going to be worried not only about this single game, but about injuries coming out of this game.

That's what I'm worried about too. As long as we remain healthy, that's a win for me, because I was pegging this for a loss from day one.

The one positive is that Fickell has prepared for Navy twice in the last three years, so he has more than enough tape/scout on that offense to be successful.

My fear is that we have a roster full of guys that have never played Navy. While Fickell, Tenuta, etc. can provide the right gameplan to defend the option, the guys on the field have never seen it. And especially to see it at the speed and level of proficiency that Navy will run it.

Our offense is going to need to break out because my sense is Navy will put some points on the board.

For me at least, there is nothing "cooler" to talk about preparing for a college football game than when facing a team like Army or Navy, but especially Navy. As a former player like many others that played.....you have to know that actually it isn't that its "that tough" to prepare to face an option/triple option or flexbone team. It truly isn't.

This is football at its absolute essence IMO. As a defensive player your BP cannot help but go up a few points in playing against this style. Slotback city.... Oh my....this is what it's all about IMO. But the most dangerous teams that employ this will lay the wood with the pass "just because." That's really what it's about, you are so amped to pop that fullback or slotbacks and then they hit you with a quick strike pass that splits your dbacks or the dreaded "missed assignment" that really against this type of offense isn't actually missed as much as you were tricked.

I can see it going to either team. CLF is a different animal IMO coach wise and person wise, as a player he would excel in matchups like this, of course he isn't playing but I feel good with him coaching our kids against these fellas

From Annapolis' Capital Gazette...

Quote:Rested Mids set to host Cincinnati Bearcats
By Bill WagnerContact Reporter
bwagner@capgaznews.com

Most college football coaches would rather not have a bye week come just two weeks into the season. A week off is more useful after at least four games and the grind of playing every weekend has worn down a team.

Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo wasn’t complaining about the timing of Navy’s bye, which came in early September for the second time in the span of three seasons.

“I try not to make too big of a deal because I don’t want it to be an excuse. Whenever that week off comes, we try to use it to the best of our advantage,” Niumatalolo said. “Sometimes it’s better late because you want to heal up. Sometimes you might be playing real well and that week off throws you off your rhythm. I don’t try to analyze it too much.”

Navy conducted three relatively short and light practices Tuesday through Thursday of last week. Niumatalolo gave the Midshipmen the weekend off to refresh and recharge.

“We used last week to try to get healthy and focus on ourselves a little bit,” Niumatalolo said. “We just wanted to use the week to get better fundamentally and also try to recover a bit and get ready for this tough stretch.”

Navy does not have another bye until the weekend of Oct. 28 and will play five straight games between now and then. Three of those games come at home, beginning this Saturday when Cincinnati comes to Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.

This marks the first meeting between the schools since 1956 when Navy beat Cincinnati, 13-7, in Annapolis. Now the Bearcats and Midshipmen are both members of the American Athletic Conference, although they play in different divisions.

Navy is playing three new opponents from the East Division this season as the rotation changes every two years. The Midshipmen are also meeting Central Florida and Temple this season and next.

Cincinnati is coming off a miraculous, come-from-behind victory over Miami-Ohio in the Victory Bell series. The Bearcats scored 15 unanswered points in the final three minutes to shock the RedHawks, 21-17, leaving a homecoming crowd in Oxford dumbfounded.

“It’s an incredible program win,” first-year Cincinnati head coach Luke Fickell said afterward. “To put yourself behind the eight-ball a little bit like we did and see the guys continue to fight and scratch and claw, there was no give-up in that.”

Niumatalolo said the nature of that improbable win will no doubt give the Bearcats confidence going forward. “Cincinnati had a great win last weekend on the road in a hostile environment. We know it’s going to be a tough game,” he said.

Cincinnati, which was beaten soundly by No. 8 Michigan the weekend prior, has struggled offensively. The Bearcats rank 122nd out of 126 Football Bowl Subdivision schools in total offense (269.7 yards) and 109 in scoring offense (20.3 points).

However, Niumatalolo knows the Bearcats can be dangerous as quarterback Hayden Moore passed for almost 1,800 yards in 2016 while wide receiver Kahlil Lewis is one of the best in the American Athletic Conference.

“Offensively, they’ve got the Lewis kid at wide receiver who is really good. Hayden Moore has a strong arm and can throw any ball,” Niumatalolo said. “Just a lot of really good athletes on that side of the ball.”

Fickell was an assistant at Ohio State from 2004 through 2016, serving as co-defensive coordinator toward the end of his tenure. The Columbus, Ohio native was a standout nose guard for the Buckeyes and definitely brings a defensive mindset to his first head coaching job.

Cincinnati limited Austin Peay to 14 points on just 248 total yards then held Miami-Ohio to 17 points on 291 total yards. The Bearcats are led by linebacker Jaylyin Minor (31 tackles) and safety Malik Clements, whose interception return for a touchdown proved decisive last Saturday.

“Defensively, I’m really impressed – a very athletic, physical team that plays hard and runs to the ball. Schematically, they are very sound,” Niumatalolo said. “Coach Fickell has established his culture and they’re playing tough, hard-nosed football.”

Niumatalolo said Navy coaches have seen glimpses of Cincinnati the previous two seasons through tapes exchanged with other American opponents. While some of the personnel might be the same, the Bearcats have scrapped the offensive and defensive systems employed by previous head coach Tommy Tuberville.

Ohio State played Navy twice while Fickell was on staff so he’s been part of game-planning for the triple-option. Fickell said the Bearcats did some option preparation during preseason camp, but acknowledged it will be challenging to install a game-plan in three days.

“It’s unique being in the first year of your program and having to play the option, which is so different than what you normally do,” Fickell said. “We know it’s going to be about discipline and fundamentals.”

Fickell said several members of his defensive staff have faced option offenses in recent years and together they would brainstorm the best way to attack the double-slot version that Navy has perfected.

Gazette

From today...

Quote:Navy can only guess how Cincinnati will defend the triple-option
By Bill WagnerContact Reporter
bwagner@capgaznews.com

Navy and Cincinnati are meeting for the first time as American Athletic Conference opponents. Perhaps more notable, the Midshipmen and Bearcats are getting together on the football field for the first time since way back in 1956.

However, the respective coaching staffs have familiarity with each other. Cincinnati head coach Luke Fickell previously served as defensive coordinator at Ohio State and faced Navy twice – in Columbus to open the 2009 season and at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore to begin the 2014 campaign.

In both instances, Fickell had the entire preseason to practice for Navy’s unique triple-option. Knowing how difficult it is to prepare for the tricky attack led the first-year head coach to build an option period into Cincinnati’s practices this past August.

Speaking during his weekly press conference, Fickell said the Bearcats began the Navy week with a firm grasp on the defensive game-plan.

“They did not walk in here Monday after an incredible victory and have no idea of how we’re going to play and what is going to be our base concepts for defending the triple-option,” Fickell said of his defenders.

Additionally, Fickell met with the defensive coaching staff each week to discuss ideas for approaching the triple-option. Several assistants have experience against the offense, notably Willie Martinez and Jon Tenuta. Martinez schemed for the same type of triple-option offense for three straight seasons while at Georgia, which annually plays Georgia Tech and former Navy coach Paul Johnson. Tenuta played against Navy while defensive coordinator at Notre Dame for two seasons and faced Georgia Tech while N.C. State and Virginia.

“We’re trying to put all those minds and thoughts together,” Fickell said. “When we faced them at Ohio State it was the first game of the season so you had a lot more preparation time. This being the first time I’ve ever had to face Navy in the midst of a season is different.”

Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo and offensive coordinator Ivin Jasper can only guess what type of defense Cincinnati will employ. They guessed wrong when preparing for Florida Atlantic and Tulane, both of which lined up differently than expected.

“They have guys on their staff that have gone against the option. We look at some of the things those guys have done in the past,” Niumatalolo said. “What are they going to do? I don’t know. You have to get ready for all of it. We’ve been doing this for so long that nothing surprises us anymore. We were wrong the first two games. We had to throw out the game-plan and start from scratch.”

Facing Navy is difficult at any time, but Fickell believes even more so just four games into a new regime. This staff is still implementing its defensive philosophy and learning the personnel.

“It’s definitely a unique challenge, especially when you’re in the first year of your program. Having to all of a sudden play the option is different from the way you go about things,” Fickell said. “There’s nothing that can really prepare you for what you’re going to see this week.”

Cincinnati will be without standout linebacker Perry Young for the first half against Navy as he must finish serving a one-game suspension for targeting. Young sat out the second half of the Miami-Ohio game after being flagged and ejected.

“That’s a big hit for us, especially in this game. You have guys who can really run and have a nose and instinct for the football. That’s something you really need when defending the triple-option,” Fickell said.

BACK TO THE BASICS: Navy normally ranks among the national leaders in turnover margin. Through two games this season, the Midshipmen stand 102nd out of 128 Football Bowl Subdivision schools – having committed four turnovers and created two.

“We have to take care of the football. We’re in the hundreds in turnover margin and that’s not us,” Niumatalolo said. “Ball security is something we pride ourselves on. We’re very, very fortunate to be 2-0 right now with all the turnovers we’ve had.”

Navy worked on protecting the football better last week, reiterating to ball-carriers to hold it high and tight.

“That’s been a big emphasis during the off week. Because nothing gets you beat quicker than turning the ball over,” Niumatalolo said.

Quarterback Zach Abey, who leads Navy with 343 rushing yards on 61 attempts, has been responsible for three fumbles, one of which was recovered by Navy. Tulane returned one of Abey’s fumbles for a touchdown while offensive lineman Andrew Wood fell on another in the end zone for a touchdown.

“I think Zach’s had the ball high and tight. We’ve looked at the front tip of his ball. He’s been kind of palming it,” Niumatalolo said. “We’ve been looking at the detail of trying to split the tip so he can get more pressure from his fingers. He’s been holding it with his palm so he’s been cupping it with his wrist. We want Zach to grip the ball more with his fingers.”

CHANGE IN PHILOSOPHY: Cincinnati employed a wide-open, fast-paced passing offense under previous head coach Tommy Tuberville. The Bearcats are more of a methodical, control-the-clock running team under Fickell.

“As a program, we’ve got to have a philosophy. We can’t just go up-tempo and go 100 snaps a game when that doesn’t fit what we do best,” Fickell said. “The ability to have balance and mix it up is where we know we want to be.”

As a result, quarterback Hayden Moore has been asked to become more of a game manager. Moore, who passed for almost 1,800 yards last season, has been told to not be aggressive in terms of throwing downfield or into traffic.

“It’s still a process. I think Hayden is understanding what we want and what we mean in terms of management. He’s done the things we’ve asked him to do,” Fickell said. “We can’t try to force things, especially in the red zone. Field goals aren’t bad.”

Niumatalolo has been impressed with Moore on tape and knows the Bearcats will take some shots downfield. However, the Navy defensive staff is expecting Cincinnati to run the ball, first and foremost.

“They’re still trying to find their identity on offense a bit. It seems like they’re trying to be a physical running team,” Niumatalolo said. “We’re not underestimating them offensively at all. It’s going to be a tough challenge for our defense.”

Navy has adopted a more aggressive defensive strategy this season, playing man-to-man pass coverage so it can commit more bodies to rushing the quarterback. Defensive coordinator Dale Pehrson is dialing up a variety of blitzes and general trying to cause disruption.

“They’ve upgraded their athleticism. I played them four years ago and I think they’ve upgraded personnel-wise since then,” Fickell said. “The speed on defense is a lot better than what I remember from the past. That allows them to be more aggressive.They’re a 3-4 team that is going to pressure you from all different angles.”

GOING BALLISTIC: Niumatalolo was very unhappy with the way Navy practiced on Wednesday.

It was scheduled to be a relatively short practice, about an hour and 40 minutes. However, the 10th-year head coach ended the proceedings 10 minutes earlier because he was so disappointed with what he was seeing.

“I just didn’t like our temperament. Guys were just going through the motions. Punching the clock,” Niumatalolo said. “It was a little warm out there today and I could tell early on that we were sluggish.”

Niumatalolo has been at the Naval Academy for 19 years and has noticed that early in the fall semester the midshipmen fall into a routine of going from one activity to another.

“One thing you sometimes have to fight here is that they get into the academy mode of reporting from morning formation to breakfast to class… they become robots,” he said.

Niumatalolo has a temper and flashed it big-time following Wednesday’s sub-par practice. Video of this epic outburst will no doubt show up on next week’s episode of Showtime’s “A Season With.”

“I thought the offensive side was horrible during the first half of practice. I went on the defensive side during the second half and it wasn’t any better,” Niumatalolo said. “I could tell early on that guys were feeling sorry for themselves. Guys were just trying to get through. When we have a short practice, guys need to work harder than that.”

Niumatalolo would not allow players to conduct post-practice interviews with the media and left the field without doing so himself, which is a real rarity. A few minutes later, Niumatalolo agreed to do an interview in his office and blamed himself for the poor practice performance.

“I did a bad job preparing our guys today,” he said. “We definitely need to regroup and have a much better practice tomorrow.”

OPPONENT INJURY REPORT: Cincinnati starting running back Mike Boone sat out the Miami-Ohio game with an ankle injury and is questionable for Saturday. Boone leads the Bearcats in rushing with 144 yards on 31 attempts.

Fickell thought backups Gerrid Boone and Michael Warren II did a good job in Boone’s absence last Saturday.

“I thought tose four and five yard runs you saw from Gerrid Doaks and Michael Warren really changed the momentum. That picked up the energy of our entire sideline,” he said.

Gazette

One more...

Quote:Navy-Cincinnati keys to the game
By Bill WagnerContact Reporter
bwagner@capgaznews.com

Navy Key: Take care of the football

Navy was fortunate to escape with a 23-21 win over Tulane on a day it committed two fumbles and an interception. Quarterback Zach Abey had one fumble returned for a touchdown and was lucky that offensive lineman Andrew Wood fell on the other in the end zone. Abey also cost the Mids at least three points by getting picked off in the red zone. Head coach Ken Niumatalolo made ball security the emphasis during the bye week and said the Midshipmen cannot afford to continue losing the turnover battle. Cincinnati has five takeaways (three fumble recoveries, two interceptions) through three games this season.

Cincinnati Key: Run the ball effectively to set up play-action pass

The Bearcats hope to have starting running back Mike Boone back from an ankle injury and that would be big. Good news for Cincinnati is that backups Gerrid Doaks and Michael Warren II performed well in Boone’s absence against Miami-Ohio, combining for 122 rushing yards. Cincy employed a wide-open, fast-paced passing offense under previous head coach Tommy Tuberville. First-year head coach Luke Fickell prefers to run the football and control the clock. However, the Bearcats boast a very capable quarterback in Hayden Moore, who passed for almost 1,800 yards last season. If the visitors can establish the run early on, it would open things up for the play-action passing game. Niumatalolo said Moore “has a strong arm and can make all the throws.” Cincy also features one of the top wide receivers in the American in Khalil Lewis and he’ll be a handful for Navy cornerbacks Tyris Wooten and Elijah Merchant to cover. Moore is the best quarterback the Midshipmen have faced to date and will test the coaching staff’s new defensive strategy of employing man-to-man pass coverage.

Injury Report: Navy – Punter Erik Harris is suspended; starting left guard Evan Martin, backup defensive end Nizaire Cromartie and backup safety Juan Hailey all have ankle injurie and are questionable; starting slotback Darryl Bonner (ankle) and backup fullback Josh Walker (knee) are out. Cincinnati – Starting running back Mike Boone (ankle) and starting kicker Andrew Gantz (groin) are questionable; starting linebacker Perry Young must sit out the first half due to a targeting suspension.

Series History: Navy leads 2-0. This is the first meeting between the schools since 1956.

Of Note: The Midshipmen have won 15 straight regular season games at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Navy is 9-0 against American Athletic Conference opponents at the Annapolis facility. Cincinnati played at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in 2014, facing Virginia Tech in the Military Bowl.

Quote-Unquote: “I think this is a huge game. Cincy is coming off a big win on the road. We’re getting another conference game at home. We’ve been successful in the past because we’ve been able to protect our house. Hopefully, we can do that again. We have to play way better against Cincinnati than we did against Tulane in order to have a chance.”

• Navy Head Coach Ken Niumatalolo
  

“It’s not just the offense that makes Navy so good. Yes, the triple-option is unique. It’s just not something you see every day. I think the more unique thing about Navy is that they are so disciplined in what they do. It’s not just the triple-option. It’s the toughness, the discipline and the way they play. If we can’t match or exceed that we’re going to struggle.”

• Cincinnati Head Coach Luke Fickell
  

Gazette