Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo has a simple rationale for his team’s struggles in a loss to Ball State and what it must do to beat Duke on Saturday afternoon.
“We came out with our hair on fire against Ball State, but they came out to defend their lives,” he said. “It wasn’t that guys played horrible, but we didn’t play up to their level.”
Niumatalolo said his team lacked intensity throughout a 35-23 loss to the Cardinals, which the Midshipmen (1-1) can’t do if they’re to defeat Duke (1-1) on Saturday at noon at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, N.C. Navy has won four straight against the Blue Devils, including last year Joey Bullen made a 44-yard field goal as time expired for a 46-43 win.
“We have to be tougher,” Niumatalolo said. “Nothing special.”
Duke drilled James Madison, 31-7, to open the season, but struggled last week in a 24-20 loss to Northwestern.
Navy is expected to start senior quarterback Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada for the first time this season after he missed the past two games with an injured hamstring.
He replaces senior captain Jarod Bryant, who amassed 280 yards of offense and four touchdowns in two games.
Last fall, Kaheaku-Enhada gained nearly 1,800 yards and scored 20 touchdowns en route to leading an offense that averaged more than 39 points and 444 yards per game. Kaheaku-Enhada, however, isn’t in the same shape he was last season, as he’s spent the past few weeks running or riding an exercise bike to strengthen his hamstring.
“That’s our calling card at Navy,” Kaheaku-Enhada said, “ come out here and work hard.”
