ECU Pirates 6-4 (4-2) at Navy Midshipmen 2-7 (2-4)
Saturday 20 November 3:30 ET
Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, Annapolis MD

TV: CBS Sports Network
Play-by-Play: John Sadak, Analyst: Randy Cross, Sideline: Sheehan Stanwick Burch

Radio: Navy Radio Network
Play-by-Play: Pete Medhurst, Analyst: Joe Miller, Sideline: Keith Mills, Studio: Scott Wykoff, Pregame Commentary: John Feinstein
• Satellite: Sirius 119, XM 204, SXM App 967
• WBAL 1090 AM / 101.5 FM (Baltimore)
• WFED 820 AM / 94.3 FM (Frederick, Md.)
• WFED 1500 AM (Washington, D.C.)
• WFED 104.5 FM (W. Fairfax / Loudon, Va.)
• WNAV 1430 AM / 99.9 FM (Annapolis)
• WBQH 93.5 FM (Washington, D.C.)
• WJBT 100.3 FM (Jacksonville)
• KWFN 97.3 FM (San Diego)
• WGH 1310 AM / 100.9 FM / 97.3 HD2-3 (Norfolk)

OPENING KICK
• Navy and East Carolina meet for the ninth time in series history and for the fifth time as conference foes when the two square off on Saturday afternoon (3:30 pm ET) at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium (34,000) in Annapolis. Saturday’s game is presented by First Command.
• Navy is 7-1 all-time against East Carolina and 4-0 in American Athletic Conference games. Last year, the Mids won in Greenville 27-23.
• Saturday marks the final home game for Navy’s 25 seniors, who will be honored, along with their families, in a pregame ceremony .
• This year’s seniors were a big part of a team that had the second-biggest turnaround in FBS history, going from 3-10 in 2018 to a school-record tying 11 wins against two losses in 2019 which included winning the Commander-In-Chief’s Trophy and the Liberty Bowl. Navy finished the 2019 season ranked 20th in the country.
• Navy has won 17-consecutive games on Senior Day with fans in the stands (2003 2019). The Mids lost to Tulsa 19-6 a year ago (Dec. 5) on Senior Day in a cold and empty Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.
• Navy’s nine opponents it has faced to date (does not include games against Navy) are a combined 57-24 (.704), which is the toughest schedule in the country based on opponent winning percentage.
• If you include Navy’s entire 12-game slate, the combined record is 72-38 (.655), which is the sixth-most difficult schedule in the country based on opponent winning percentage.
• The ELO computer rankings has Navy’s schedule to date as the toughest in the country.
• The Mids have faced three teams currently ranked in the Associated Press Top 25, including two in the top 6 - Houston (#17), Cincinnati (#3) and Notre Dame (#6). A fourth, SMU, was also ranked in the top 25 for part of the year and is currently receiving votes.
• Nine of Navy’s opponents are bowl eligible, while Tulsa (2 wins away) and Memphis (1 win away) are on the verge of becoming eligible. The 9 bowl eligible opponents are tied with Boise State, Indiana and LSU for the most in the country.
• Navy is 32-21 (.604) in the American Athletic Conference since joining in 2015, which is tied with Temple for the fifth-best mark in the conference during that time. Navy has defeated every team in the conference at least once.
• Navy defeated Tulsa on Oct. 29 without completing a pass (0-4). It was the seventh time in the Niumatalolo era and the first time since 2018 against UCF that Navy went an entire game without completing a pass.
• Not completing a pass in a game is not necessarily a bad thing for the Mids, as they are 6-1 under Niumatalolo in games they don’t complete a pass. In two of those games, 2009 vs. Wake Forest and 2008 against SMU, the Mids did not attempt a pass. Both of those games were played in torrential downpours with Navy beating Wake Forest 13-10 and SMU 34-7.
• Navy is fielding one of its youngest teams in recent memory. The Mids are starting 5 sophomores on offense and 3 sophomores and a freshman on defense. Navy has 1 freshman and 12 sophomores on the offensive depth chart and 9 freshmen and 8 sophomores on the defensive depth chart (10 freshmen and 20 sophomores combined). Those numbers do not include a sophomore kickoff specialist, a freshman long snapper, a freshman punter and a freshman kickoff return specialist.
• Niumatalolo is the eighth-longest tenured coach in the FBS.

SCOUTING EAST CAROLINA
6-4 Overall | 4-2 AAC
Head Coach: Mike Houston
• East Carolina comes to Annapolis red-hot, having won three-straight and six of its last eight games. The Pirates are bowl eligible for the first time since 2014.
• ECU started the year 0-2, losing to Appalachian State (33- 19) and South Carolina (20-17).
• Since then, the Pirates have gone 6-2 with wins over Marshall (42-38), Charleston Southern (31-28), Tulane (52-29), USF (29-14), Temple (45-3) and Memphis (30-29 OT). The only two losses over the last 8 games came at the hands of UCF (20-16) and Houston (31-24 OT).
• The Pirates are still alive in the chase for a spot in the American Athletic Conference Championship Game opposite Houston.
• East Carolina has 28 transfers on its roster, including 11 from the Autonomy Five.
• East Carolina ranks among the top 25 nationally in the following offensive statistics: fourth down conversions (11th, .704) and time of possession (13th, 32:34)
• East Carolina ranks among the top 25 nationally in the following defensive statistics: third down defense (10th, .308), intereptions (11th, 13), defensive touchdowns (15th, 2) and turnovers gained (21st, 18).
• Individuals on the East Carolina offense rank among the nation’s top 25 in the following statistics: junior quarterback Holton Ahlers (completions per game - 23rd, 21.0); freshman running back Keaton Mitchell (rushing yards per carry - 4th, 7.07, rushing yards per game - 23rd, 98.3).
• Individuals on the East Carolina defense rank among the top 25 nationally in the following statistics: sophomore corner Ja’Quan McMillan (passes defended per game - 1st, 2.0; interceptions - T1st, 5; interceptions per game T1st 0.5), freshman safety Teagan Wilk (forced fumbles per game - 16th, 0.30).
• Last week at Memphis, ECU won 30-29 in overtime after stopping a two-point conversion that would have given Memphis the win.
• Ahlers threw for 313 yards and rushed for 46 yards and a touchdown, while Mitchell and Rahjai Harris combined for 150 yards on the ground and 2 touchdowns on 37 carries. Tyler Snead had an incredible 13 catches for 113 yards. ECU held the ball for 42:47 against Memphis.
• McMillan had his fifth interception of the year and Aaron Ramseur added 6 tackles to lead the Pirate defense.
• Ahlers has contributed 20 touchdowns on the season, throwing for 14 and running for 6 more.

GAME DAY FESTIVITIES
• The Navy football team will arrive at the Blue Angel on the West (Blue) side of the stadium at approximately 1:00 pm. The team will walk down the sidewalk and through NavyFest before walking to the tunnel. Fans are invited to stand on both sides of the sidewalk to cheer on the players.
• The March-On of the Brigade of Midshipmen will begin at 3:06 pm.
• The National Anthem will take place at 3:16:30 pm, followed by a flyover.
• Saturday’s flyover will feature 4 McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harriers from the “Ace of Spades” of Marine Attack Squadron 231 based out of Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C. Piloting the lead aircraft will be Capt Michael “LAF” Sheehan, USNA Class of 2012. The wing aircraft will be piloted by Capt William “Dahmer” Joiner, USNA Class of 2010. The -3 aircraft will be piloted by Capt Earl “Strut” Ehrhart USNA Class of 2014. The -4 aircraft will be piloted by Capt. Jon “Butch” Roman, West Point Class of 2014. Providing ground control will be Major Daniel “B.O.” Ford, USNA Class of 2007. The Ace of Spades report operationally to Commander, Marine Aircraft Group 14. They fly the AV-8B Harrier, a battle proven, single seat, Vertical Takeoff and Land Attack aircraft. The AV-8B was designed for traditional Close Air Support, Strike Coordination and Reconnaissance, Escort, Forward Air Control (Airborne), and day/night precision Strike. Additionally, the AV-8B increases the Amphibious Ready Group’s survivability by providing Active Air Defense.
• A salute to Navy’s seniors will take place at 3:20 pm.
• Kickoff on Saturday is slated for 3:32 pm.
• Please note that all times, starting with the March-On, could be pushed back by 5 minutes if the first game on CBS Sports Network runs long. That decision will be made by 2:30 pm.
• Navy’s Intercollegiate Sailing team will be honored between the first and second quarters.
• The pilots from the pregame flyover will be recognized between the third and fourth quarters.
• Following the game, Navy’s alma mater, Navy Blue & Gold, will be played as the team stands at attention in front of the Brigade of Midshipmen. It is one of the best traditions in all of sports.

SENIOR DAY
• Saturday marks the final home game for Navy’s 25 senior players. Navy will honor its seniors and their familes in a pregame ceremony .
• This year’s seniors were a big part of a team that had the second-biggest turnaround in FBS history going from 3-10 in 2018 to a school-record tying 11 wins against two losses in 2019, which included winning the Commander-In-Chief’s Trophy and the Liberty Bowl. Navy finished the 2019 season ranked 20th in the country.
• The following players will be playing their final game at Navy- Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
Carlinos Acie: SB / McKeesport, Pa.
Pierce Banbury: OG/C / Aldie, Va.
Nick Bernacchi: OG / Fairfax, Va.
Kevin Brennan: FS / Westfield, N.J.
Mattie Conlon: OG / Bronx, N.Y.
Mychal Cooper: WR / San Antonio, Texas
Diego Fagot: LB / Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Ben Fee: P / Commerce Township, Mich.
Marcell Gleaton: WR / Ellenwood, Ga.
Jamal Glenn: CB / Laurel, Md.
Tyger Goslin: SB / Moorpark, Calif.
James Harris II: FB / Mobile, Ala.
Mitchell Johns: LB / Leesburg, Va.
John Kelly III: Raider / Staten Island, N.Y.
Cal Long: WR / Austin, Texas
Michael McMorris: CB / Buford, Ga.
Chike Otaluka: SB / Johns Creek, Ga.
Isaac Ruoss: FB / Mohnton, Pa.
Michael Salisbury: WR / Shelbyville, Tenn.
Daniel Taylor: SB / Franklin, Tenn.
Bryce Texeira: OT / Waukesha, Wis.
Chance Warren: SB / Enterprise, Ala.
J’arius Warren: DT / Long Beach, Miss.
Mitchell West: Bandit / Naperville, Ill.
Deondrae Williams: DE / Phenix City, Ala.
SENIOR DAY GAMES UNDER NIUMATALOLO
11-01-08 Temple W 33-27
11-14-09 Delaware W 35-18
11-20-10 Arkansas State W 35-19
11-05-11 Troy W 42-14
11-17-12 Texas State W 21-10
11-16-13 South Alabama W 42-14
11-15-14 Georgia Southern W 52-19
11-14-15 SMU W 55-14
11-12-16 Tulsa W 42-40
11-11-17 SMU W 43-40
11-17-18 Tulsa W 37-29
11-23-19 SMU W 35-28
12-5-20 Tulsa L 19-6

PLAYING AGAINST THE HOME STATE
• Navy has 7 players on its roster from the state of North Carolina, including freshman kick returner Maquel Haywood (Wake Forest), second team freshman defensive end Justin Reed (Apex) and third team sophomore wide receiver Camari Williams (Fayetteville).

YOUTH IS SERVED
• Navy is fielding one of its youngest teams in recent memory.
• The Mids are starting 5 sophomores on offense and 3 sophomores and a freshman on defense.
• Navy has 1 freshman and 12 sophomores on the offensive depth chart and 9 freshmen and 8 sophomores on the defensive depth chart (10 freshmen and 20 sophomores combined).
• Those numbers do not include a sophomore kickoff specialist, a freshman long snapper, a freshman punter and a freshman kickoff return specialist.
• The Mids started 9 freshmen on the kickoff team against Notre Dame.
• As a reminder, Navy is not allowed to redshirt, so those are all true freshmen and sophomores.

FIRST-TIME STARTERS: 18 Navy players have earned their first-collegiate starts in
the Mids’ 9 games this season.

INJURIES MOUNTING: Navy has lost multiple key players due to injuries this year.
NOTABLE INJURIES
• Starting free safety and team captain Kevin Brennan is our for the year (shoulder)
• Starting bandit Mitch West is out for the year (knee)
• Starting left tackle Jake Cossavella is out for the year (leg)
• Second-team wide receiver Marcell Gleaton is out for the year (knee)
• Second-team safety Derek Atwaters is out (knee)
• Second-team safety Ajani Cuevas-Gillis is out (shoulder)
• Second-team center Luke Coleman is questionable (knee)
• Starting linebacker Will Harbour is questionable (shoulder)
• Starting guard / center Pierce Banbury is questionable (ankle)

We're bringing a bigger pirate ship this time. We've been upgraded from Somali pirates to Caribbean pirates.

I'm going to be honest. I'm WAY more nervous about 2-7 Navy than 10-0 Cincinnati. If we don't make the most of every offensive drive, we're getting smooshed.

(11-19-2021 11:20 AM)CoastalJuan Wrote:  I'm going to be honest. I'm WAY more nervous about 2-7 Navy than 10-0 Cincinnati. If we don't make the most of every offensive drive, we're getting smooshed.

Agreed. We need to score first and often to win.

If the Navy offense shows up it should be a good game.

(11-19-2021 11:20 AM)CoastalJuan Wrote:  I'm going to be honest. I'm WAY more nervous about 2-7 Navy than 10-0 Cincinnati. If we don't make the most of every offensive drive, we're getting smooshed.

Well yeah, if we lose to 10-0 Cincy even badly no one is going to really hold that against anyone. Lose badly again to a 2-7 Navy team and a whole bunch of the positive vibes are gone, and I've seen more than enough Navy teams wax ECU to know it could easily happen.

(11-19-2021 02:45 PM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote:  

(11-19-2021 11:20 AM)CoastalJuan Wrote:  I'm going to be honest. I'm WAY more nervous about 2-7 Navy than 10-0 Cincinnati. If we don't make the most of every offensive drive, we're getting smooshed.

Well yeah, if we lose to 10-0 Cincy even badly no one is going to really hold that against anyone. Lose badly again to a 2-7 Navy team and a whole bunch of the positive vibes are gone, and I've seen more than enough Navy teams wax ECU to know it could easily happen.

I didn't mean it as much in terms of how good/bad it will be to lose to either. I more meant I think we have a better chance of beating Cincinnati than Navy.

(11-19-2021 10:21 AM)slhNavy91 Wrote:  SCOUTING EAST CAROLINA

• Individuals on the East Carolina defense rank among the top 25 nationally in the following statistics: sophomore corner Ja’Quan McMillan (passes defended per game - 1st, 2.0; interceptions - 2nd, 5), freshman safety Teagan Wilk (forced fumbles per game - 16th, 0.30).

McMillan is tied for 1st - interceptions and interceptions per game.
https://www.ncaa.com/stats/football/fbs/...ividual/14

(11-19-2021 03:41 PM)mikeinoki Wrote:  

(11-19-2021 10:21 AM)slhNavy91 Wrote:  SCOUTING EAST CAROLINA

• Individuals on the East Carolina defense rank among the top 25 nationally in the following statistics: sophomore corner Ja’Quan McMillan (passes defended per game - 1st, 2.0; interceptions - 2nd, 5), freshman safety Teagan Wilk (forced fumbles per game - 16th, 0.30).

McMillan is tied for 1st - interceptions and interceptions per game.
https://www.ncaa.com/stats/football/fbs/...ividual/14

Thanks.
Edited it here.

SID works on game notes on Sunday, and publishes Monday morning. So if anything changes (in this case maybe an INT get mis-attributed to someone else and the stats changed when that was corrected?)

This game could be over quicker than most. And I say that only because both teams like to hold the ball for long periods of time. The clock is going to be continuously running. It feels like a low scoring game. The turnover battle is going to be critical. Special teams is going to be vital too. It could come down to a field goal. It’s going to be an interesting game, because both teams play a style of football, although somewhat different, is similar to football from the past.

Navy has done very bad things to ECU very often so this game always makes me nervous/nauseous. We need to score early and get ahead. This is the best Defense we have had to deal with Navy so they will give us a shot. We can rotate DL in and other backup's where as years previous we got grinded into dust. We need the Offense to show up and put together nice long scoring drives.
There is a lot at stake as ECU could move to 5 AAC wins which would match our all time best from 2014 when a very good ECU team went 5-3 in our inaugural AAC Season. It would also make the Cincinnati game a lot more interesting on ABC with a 7-4 ECU going up against undefeated Cincinnati. The Bearcats will be the highest ranked team in Ficklen since #3 Miami came for a visit back in the 80's.

I was at the ECU/Navy hame in 2006...great atmosphere...not so great 'inadvertent whistle' from the CUSA refs when ECU went for the late onside kick. Navy always makes me nervous, but I think our defense will be prepared. I hope it's a blowout but I can see a 24-21 type of score happening.

ECU will need to put points up early otherwise this game will be a tough one

Where is the best place to park? Or a place to park?

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Ecu fans are snakebitten since Navy has owned nearly evrry DC we've had. I can look past the past, Navy has played some tough ball in spurts this year. I don't see it being the game most folks do but I wouldnt be surprised to see the Pirates sweat.

(11-19-2021 11:51 PM)pcm0103 Wrote:  Where is the best place to park? Or a place to park?

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Several suggestions -

Park at the Lutheran church on Rowe Blvd. Coming off of Route 50 onto Rowe Blvd, Church is on your right at Farragut Rd (the first of the two roads flanking the stadium). It's about $25, they'll let you tailgate there. You're close to the visitor's side seats from there.

Second is Germantown Elementary School, up on the northwest side of the stadium. Similar situation but the church is a little more grassy and pleasant, and you're way on the home side of the lot from here - can be cool our tailgaters are a relatively hospitable bunch as you're walking the entire Blue Lot.

Can park in a neighborhood off of either Farragut or Taylor. No cheaper than the church or elementary school.

Satellite parking and shuttle bus from Harry S Truman Park and Ride, on Harry S Truman Pkwy and Riva Rd. Info sheet SAYS, "Shuttle service begins five (5) hours prior to the start of the game. Service continues throughout all games, ending approximately two (2) hours after each game's completion. The shuttle runs approximately every 20 minutes, and drops off and picks up at the Navy Ticket Office at the Class of 1953 Pavilion." I have no idea how accurate that is for how efficient the shuttle runs are, before or after.

Another adventure would be to park in the public garage downtown on Main Street, pub crawl up Main Street / West Street and finish with a little more of a walk.