Add Delaware quarterback Joe Flacco and running back Omar Cuff to the growing list of players who have put together complete highlight reels against Navy?s beleaguered defense.
Flacco completed 30-of-41 passes for 434 yards and four touchdowns and Cuff rushed for 141 yards and four touchdowns as the Blue Hens wracked up 581 yards in total offense en route to a 59-52 upset over the Midshipmen in front of 35,213 fans at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.
Navy (4-4) has now allowed 40 points in three straight games and five times overall. The Midshipmen have also allowed at least 30 points six times in eight games and have allowed 305 points this year compared to 261 points in 13 games in 2006.
“We were beat some physically, but there were other mistakes, too,” Johnson said.
With Navy?s defense unable to stop opposing teams ? Delaware scored on nine of 11 drives prior to taking a knee on the final play of the game ? the Midshipmen?s offense has additional pressure to score on every possession.
This was especially true Saturday in the third quarter.
First, Navy starting quarterback Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada threw an incomplete pass on fourth down at the Delaware 31. On Navy?s next possession, fullback Eric Kettani fumbled the ball away on the Midshipmen 39. Each time, Delaware responded with a score.
First, Flacco threw a 34-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Aaron Love on the first possession while Jon Striefsky made a 36-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter following the fumble to give Delaware a 45-35 lead with 14:14 remaining.
“There?s no margin for error,” Johnson said. “Like I say every week, if we turn the ball over two times we lose.”
Still, Navy had its chances to get back in the game in the fourth quarter. First, slot back Reggie Campbell capped a 10-play, 65-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown run to pull Navy within 45-42 with 10:06 remaining.
However, Delaware came right back with a 10-play, 87-yard drive which ended with a Cuff 1-yard run into the end zone. Again, Navy answered with a 56-yard touchdown drive of its own that ended with a 1-yard score by backup quarterback Jarod Bryant to pull the Midshipmen within 52-49 with 4:25 remaining.
But again, Navy?s defense had no answer for Cuff, who put the game away with a 37-yard touchdown run with 2:02 left in the game.
“We don?t tackle well, we don?t rush the passer well we don?t cover well,” Johnson said. “They tried everything. I don?t know what else they can try.”
Bryant, who replaced Kaheaku-Enhada late in the third quarter, completed 8-of-11 passes for 126 yards. Navy fullbacks Adam Ballard and Eric Kettani rushed for 94 and 92 yards, respectively. Kettani and Kaheaku-Enhada also led Navy with two rushing touchdowns each.
Navy returns to action next Saturday when it plays at Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish (1-7) were off this week after losing to the University of Southern California, 38-0, on Oct. 20.
“I don?t know what to sat [about the defensive struggles,” Navy linebacker Irv Spencer said. “We all just have to get better across the board.”
