For the Navy football team, last year was about proving that a new head coach could run departed Paul Johnson‘s potent triple-option offense.
Ken Niumatalolo showed he could as Navy went 8-4, led the nation in rushing for an NCAA-record fourth straight year and secured its sixth straight bowl bid.
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This year the system is tested again. Can the Midshipmen continue to thrive without their prototypical thunder-lightning backfield duo of Eric Kattani and Shun White?
No one on this year’s depth chart can match the power of Kattani or the speed of White. The duo combined for 2,074 yards in 2008. But few teams in the nation believe in the system more than the Mids.
“It comes down to your heart and your mind,” said co-captain Osei Asante. “The system works. It’s proven. The new guys coming up to bat, they’re going to provide.”
At fullback, there are a variety of candidates. Sophomore Alex Teich (6-0, 212) has the speed. Junior Vince Murray (6-1, 217) is a strong blocker. Senior Kevin Campbell (5-11, 206), a graduate of Robinson High, is a reliable grinder. Sophomore Delvin Diggs (5-11, 208) had a good spring. Three freshman fullbacks are on the roster but — in accordance with Navy’s treatment of plebes — Niumatalolo won’t speak their names.
The top prospect at slot back is sophomore Marcus Curry. Senior Bobby Doyle, a special teams standout, will play more offense this year.
It all adds up to a huge workload for quarterback Ricky Dobbs, a gifted runner and thrower, who must stay healthy. To that end, Niumatalolo has put a green (no-contact) jersey on Dobbs for practice.
