Navy?s first home game couldn?t have come at a better time.
After opening the season 1-1 following this past Friday?s 41-24 loss at Rutgers, Navy?s players and coaches are excited about finally getting to play in front of their home fans when they host Ball State (1-1) at 5 p.m. Saturday at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.
It will be a welcome break for a team that received some bad news earlier this week when Coach Paul Johnson announced starting linebacker Clint Sovie and starting safety Jeff Deliz suffered season-ending ankle injuries against Rutgers. Navy?s players are also looking forward to playing in front of the brigade, which was mostly absent during Navy?s first two games due to new regulations which limit the brigade?s travel to away sporting events.
“We?re excited to be back home now and have the brigade there because the last two weeks we haven?t had anybody there in the stands,” Navy junior defensive back Ketric Buffin said. “There aren?t any fans out there like the brigade.”
Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium is quickly evolving into one of the best home-field advantages in the country. The Midshipmen are 17-4 at home over the past four years after losing 14 straight in Annapolis the previous three years. Navy?s .810 winning percentage since the start of the 2003 season is the 18th-highest in the country. The University of Southern California has the best mark nationally from 2003-06 at 25-0.
“It?s great to finally have a game at home especially after having two straight Friday night games on the road,” said Johnson, whose team is 12-2 following a loss since 2003.
The brigade?s absence on the road makes Saturday?s game even more meaningful for some of Navy?s freshmen players. One of the players, safety Wyatt Middleton, is looking forward to seeing all of the traditions of a Navy home game, including the brigade walking into the stadium and fighter planes soaring over the stadium just before kickoff.
“I heard the home games supply memories that last a lifetime because of all the special things that happen before the game,” said Middleton, who made 11 tackles against Rutgers. “How many colleges can say they have jets flying over their stadiums before a game? It?s going to be an unbelievable experience.”
