Ketric Buffin is quickly gaining a reputation as Navy?s best defensive player. The junior safety already has two interceptions through two games and three over past five for the Midshipmen dating to last season.
But now, he?ll be asked to produce even more.
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Earlier this week, Navy coach Paul Johnson announced that two starters, linebacker Clint Sovie and safety Jeff Deliz, suffered season-ending ankle injuries during a 41-24 loss at Rutgers on Sept. 8.
Buffin, who recorded 11 tackles in seven games last season, said the team can?t dwell on thepast, especially since the Midshipmen (1-1) host Ball State (1-1) this evening at 5 o?clock at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis.
“We can?t be down about it,” the 5-foot-7, 170-pound Buffin said. “We still have a whole season to play. We can?t let ourselves get down about it.”
Johnson said losing players is always tough, especially veteran leaders like Sovie and Deliz. But at the same time, Johnson knows the team?s next great defensive player might be sitting on the bench waiting for his chance.
“One man?s misery is another guy?s opportunity,” Johnson said. “Someone else now gets a chance to play. It hurts anytime you lose players, especially good players, and [Sovie and Deliz] are both good players for us. But, that?s part of the game and there?s no use crying over spilled milk. You move on.”
Navy will now turn to freshman safety Wyatt Middleton and sophomore linebacker Ross Pospisil to fill the voids created by Sovie and Deliz. Their opportunity comes at a time when Navy is looking to avoid only its third, two-game losing streak since the start of the 2003 season.
“We don?t like how it feels,” said Johnson on losing. “I don?t like it at all and I try to purvey that to them. If I ain?t happy, they usually ain?t happy and that may play into it.”
Johnson said it will be imperative Navy?s defense play much better than it did the past two games. Navy?s defense has been futile in making big stops, as it has allowed its opponents to score all seven times it has it?s 20 yard line, including four touchdowns.
“We don?t have a young defense anymore,” Middleton said. “We have two games under our belts. I?d call what we have a learning defense. I?m glad Navy gives players opportunities and I just hope to take advantage of it.”
