The Navy and Duke football teams both enter Saturday?s 1 p.m. contest against one another with a lot at stake, albeit for different reasons.
The visiting Midshipmen (5-3) need a win in Durham, N.C., to get back on the winning track after losing their last two games. A win would also qualify Navy for its fourthstraight bowl appearance with three games remaining after this week.
For host Duke (0-8), a win would erase the Blue Devils? name from atop the list of teams currently on the longest losing streaks in Division I-A. Duke?s current winless streak is up to 16 games following last week?s 45-28 loss to Vanderbilt.
Despite the difference in records, Navy coach Paul Johnson said he expects a hard-fought game, especially after the Midshipmen had to hold on for a 28-21 win against Duke last year. Navy leads the overall series, 18-12-5.
“I?m really impressed with Duke,” Johnson said. “They have some good athletes, and they are playing hard. You can tell their coaching staff is doing a good job. They are still playing hard despite their record.”
Quarterback Thaddeus Lewis leads Duke?s offense, having completed 106 of 211 passes for four touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Justin Boyle leads Duke?s rushing attack with 276 yards and five touchdowns, while Jomar Wright has 31 receptions and a touchdown.
Some of Duke?s better players are on the defensive end. Michael Tauiliili leads the unit with 59 tackles, including seven for a loss. Cody Lowe has 11.5 tackles for a loss, while he and Adrian Aye-Darko have three sacks apiece.
Unfortunately for the Blue Devils, their defense has not always showed up in the first quarter, where they have been outscored, 78-3. However, they have managed to stay close in a number of games, including in a 14-13 loss at Wake Forest, a 30-14 defeat at Alabama and a 20-15 loss to Miami.
“They were down to Alabama two points with five minutes to go,” Johnson said. “They had the ball inside the 10-yard line in the final seconds against Miami, and they miss a chip-shot field goal that would have beat Wake Forest, who is 7-1. They?ve been in a bunch of games.”
Navy/Duke notes
» An interesting matchup to watch Saturday is Navy?s rushing offense against Duke?s run defense. The Midshipmen are second in the country in rushing at 310.9 yards a game, while Duke is 39th against the run at 115.8 yards per game.
» With starting quarterback Brian Hampton out for the year with a knee injury, Navy?s leading healthy rusher is fullback Adam Ballard, who has 630 yards and a TD. Hampton had 646 yards and 10 scores before getting hurt Oct. 14 against Rutgers.
» Slot back Reggie Campbell leads Navy with nine catches for 133 yards and a touchdown, while receiver Jason Tomlinson has nine receptions for 105 yards.
» Linebacker Rob Caldwell has 66 tackles, a sack and three forced fumbles, while David Mahoney has 61 tackles and five sacks.
