Navy junior slot back Shun White led the Midshipmen in rushing and receiving yards in last Friday?s win over Temple at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. But it was what White did without the ball that concerned Navy coach Paul Johnson.
In the Midshipmen?s triple-option offense, one of the most important responsibilities of the slot back is to block, which White failed to do to Johnson?s liking.
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Johnson described White?s performance against Temple as “OK,” despite the junior rushing for 122 yards on eight carries and making a 37-yard reception that set up Navy?s first touchdown.
He needs to learn to play better without the ball in his hands,” Johnson said.
White said he agrees with Johnson?s assessment and is making a concerted effort to improve his blocking.
Still, he is quickly developing into one of Navy?s most dangerous offensive threats. Entering tonight?s game at No. 16 Rutgers (1-0), White has rushed for more than 100 yards in three of the past four games dating to last season, including when he rushed for 116 yards in a loss to Boston College in the Meineke Car Care Bowl.
“I need work on knowing who to block and my blocking overall,” White said. “I take blocking real seriously in this offense because as a slot back you have to?it?s such a big part of our offense. Coach [Johnson] wants me to work on getting people to the ground when I block and that?s something I?ve worked on in the spring and over the summer and I feel like I?m getting better at it.”
Last season, the 5-foot-9, 186-pound White played in all of Navy?s 13 games, finishing with 578 yards and 5 touchdowns while averaging 11.3 yards per carry. The native of Memphis, Tenn., is also considered one of the most athletic players on Navy?s roster, as he can run 40 yards in 4.4.6 seconds, which makes him extremely difficult to tackle.
“The way our offense is set up you don?t get the ball as often as a running back would running in an I-formation,” White said. “The only thing I think about when I get the ball is I have to make something happen. Usually that?s my motivation whether I get the ball two times, three times or whatever many times in a game.”
White said he?ll have to play better this week against Rutgers for Navy to pull off one of the biggest wins in recent Academy history. The Scarlet Knights defeated Navy, 34-0, last season in a game in which it held Navy to just 113 rushing yards, the team?s third-lowest total since Johnson arrived in 2002. Navy led the nation with 327 rushing yards a game in 2006.
“Last year when we played Rutgers we got off to a bad start and from there it went downhill,” White said. “We missed some blocks then didn?t go to the right people. We?re more focused now and I think we?ll have a much better showing against Rutgers this year.”
