It happens at the beginning of every televised Navy football game. The announcers run through the starting lineups and inevitably handicap the battle for the line of scrimmage in favor of Navy’s opponent, based entirely on size.
Then the Midshipmen (3-0) stuff the run for four quarters and walk away with yet another victory. In three games this season, they’ve held the opposition to an average of just 86 yards on the ground.
“[The argument’s] not really played out because it’s true,” said Navy senior linebacker David Mahoney (5-foot-9, 219 pounds). “We are undersized, but people just need to start realizing that size doesn’t always matter. It just depends how you play. A lot of it has to do with technique, which we try to use to our advantage.”
It’s certainly no different this week. Tulsa’s offensive line averages 6-foot-5 and 304 pounds while Navy’s front seven averages 6-1, 230 pounds. Navy will again rely on its experienced linebacking corps to set the tone.
“We use them in a lot of ways,” said Navy defensive coordinator Buddy Green. “They’re guys that can be very flexible with our defense. We put them in a position where they can make plays because they play at 100 miles an hour.”
Mahoney, senior Tyler Tidwell (6-2, 224 pounds) and senior Rob Caldwell (6-foot, 229 pounds) get much of the credit for turning around a unit that couldn’t crack the nation’s top 100 in total defense four years ago. But it is sophomore Clint Sovie (5-11, 201 pounds) is the future of the defense. He’s assumed the burden well so far this season, racking up 21 tackles.
“They’ve been on top of me every day. Even the guys behind me push me real hard, just making sure I know everything, make sure I know where I am, what my place is,” said Sovie, whose three tackles in the first quarter against East Carolina set the tone for the season.
What the Midshipmen lack in size, they make up with endurance, speed and technique.
“We condition during two-a-days, and we still condition now during practice,” said Mahoney. “We know that we’re most likely not going to be outplaying somebody, physically dominating them, so we find as many advantages as we can.”
Tulsa (2-1) at Navy (3-0)
» When: Saturday, 1:30 p.m.
» Where: Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, Annapolis
» TV: CSTV
» Radio: WBAL-1090 AM, WTWP-1500 AM, WNAV-1430 AM
