There?s conventional football wisdom and there?s conventional Navy football wisdom. Most teams usually punt on fourth down when they are deep inside their own territory, especially in a close game.
But Navy coach Paul Johnson doesn?t adhere to that strategy, which is why he went for it on fourth-and-one from his team?s 29-yard line last Saturday trailing 34-24 in the third quarter against Wake Forest.
Backup quarterback Jarod Bryant picked up two yards, keeping the drive alive. Navy committed a turnover seven plays later, but Johnson?s risky move in the loss to the Deamon Decons was just another example of the aggressiveness he?s shown since taking over the program in 2002.
“We are just trying to score more points than the other team and trying to hang on to the ball,” Johnson said. “If we think we have a chance to make it on fourth down I?m not going to give the ball back. We are going to keep it and try to score some points. If I think I have a play that is going to work I?m going to go for it.”
Navy (4-3) has gone for it on fourth down 18 times this season and came up with a first down 12 times. Entering this afternoon?s game against visiting Delaware, Navy is ninth in the country in fourth down efficiency (.667) for teams that have gone for it 10 times or more. The University of Miami has converted a national-best 80 percent of its fourth-down attempts.
“We have a workhorse mentality,” Navy center Antron Harper said. “It?s a compliment to us that coach trusts us enough to go for it on fourth down situations with so much on the line. It?s a challenge to us and is also an honor that he has the faith in us to make the play in that situation.”
Johnson said taking chances like he does on fourth down is how he has always coached at Navy, and not indicative of his the team?s defensive struggles this year. The Midshipmen have allowed at least 40 points in three games and at least 30 points five times. In addition, Navy has punted just nine times in seven games. The school record for fewest punts in a season is 28, set in 1954.
“You guys have watched us play for the last five years and we have always gone for it on fourth down,” Johnson said. “We have always had to hold on to the ball and try and score points on every possession. Hopefully our guys believe in what we are doing and if they do it correctly we have a chance to make the first down. I don?t think they get nervous when we gofor it on fourth down. They are used to it. Just execute the play.”
Navy fullback Eric Kettani said the nature of his team?s triple-option offense gives his team the confidence they should convert on any feasible fourth down, especially when it has to go two yards or fewer. The Midshipmen average a national-best 343 rushing yards per game.
“I have faith in all of our players when we go for it on fourth down,” Kettani said. “When [Johnson] calls it I feel like we?re going to make it.”
