It was big deal for Navy quarterback Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada. But his coaches didn’t really notice.
“I had to start all over again working on my throwing,” said Kaheaku-Enhada after getting his shoulder popped by Irv Spencer during spring practice. “I started from scratch with my arm so it’s come a long way.”
Not that it matters. Everybody agrees that throwing the ball isn’t Kaheaku-Enhada’s strength, but that won’t stop him from taking the reigns of the Navy offense.
After starting the last six games of 2006 following Brian Hampton’s season-ending knee injury, tonight Kaheaku-Enhada will become fifth season-opening starter in consecutive seasons for the Midshipmen.
The junior’s orchestration of the option will determine if they go to a fifth straight bowl game. Speedy and elusive, he showed flashes of brilliance last year, rushing for 507 yards and ten touchdowns. But after he completed just 23 of 48 passes, Kaheaku-Enhada and his coaches are hoping for more consistency this fall.
“He has a little bit of Randall Cunningham going on” in his throwing motion, said Navy quarterbacks coach Ivin Jasper. “But he’s so good with ball, and he’s great at running the option, making decisions. He just looks natural.”
Navy (0-0) at Temple (0-0)
When » Tonight, 7:30
Where » Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
TV » ESPNU
Radio » 1430 AM
