Navy proved last year it could contain Rutgers Heisman Trophy candidate Ray Rice, keeping the running back out of the end zone and limiting him to 93 yards. But the bigger question facing the Midshipmen is: Can it slow receiver Tiquan Underwood?
Last year, Navy couldn?t. The junior gave one of his best performances of the season in last year?s 34-0 victory over the Midshipmen, as he had four catches for 64 yards, including two touchdown receptions?and he?s even better this year.
In No. 16 Rutgers? season-opening, 38-3 victory over Buffalo, Underwood had a career-high 10 catches for a school-record 248 yards?highlighted by touchdown receptions of 65 and 66-yards.
The 248 yards were just 42 fewer than Underwood had all of last season. The total was also the second-most by a player in Big East history, trailing only Virginia Tech?s Ernest Wilford?s 279-yard outburst in 2002.
“He was really good in high school and he?s really good now,” said Navy junior defensive end Michael Walsh, who teamed with Underwood at Notre Dame High School in Lawrenceville, N.J. “We have to tackle him this week or we?ll be in a lot of trouble.”
Navy also has to keep an eye on Rutgers quarterback Mike Teel, who threw for 328 yards and 2 touchdowns on 16-of-23 passing and Rice, who rushed for 184 yards and 3 scores on 25 carries.
Navy coach Paul Johnson said the Scarlet Knights? performance came against an overmatched opponent.
“[Rutgers] could have done pretty much whatever they wanted to do,” he said.
Rutgers coach Greg Schiano said he expects his team to have a tougher time against Navy than last year, when the Midshipmen kept the game close until Rutgers blocked punts on consecutive possession to turn the game into a blowout.
“I think their defensive scheme fits perfectly with what they do offensively,” Schiano said. “They don?t give up the big play. They play sound and swarm the football. We certainly have had our difficulties.”
