Thursday • 8 p.m. • Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego • TV » ESPN • Radio » 1500 AM
KEYS TO VICTORY
1. Ball control » This is Navy’s mantra whenever it faces an explosive offense. The Mids want to dominate possession and limit the opportunities of the Aztecs, who average 35 points per game. Stopping Navy’s triple-option offense is difficult because the Mids have so few negative yardage plays. They lead the nation with the fewest penalty yards (27.5 pg) and rank in the top 10 in fewest sacks (.83 pg) and tackles for loss (3.9 pg) allowed. In October, San Diego State beat Air Force, 27-25, despite allowing the Falcons’ option offense to gain 487 yards.
2. Ricky Dobbs » The Navy quarterback has the perfect skill set for the triple-option offense — the strength and toughness to run inside, and the speed to go outside. As a bonus, Dobbs also has the arm strength of a drop-back passer. Against Army, Dobbs threw touchdown passes of 77 and 32 yards in the first 17 minutes. This year, Dobbs has struggled with turnovers and decision-making, but he has a history of rising in the clutch. He has rushed for 860 yards and 13 touchdowns and passed for 1,380 yards and 12 scores.
3. Big Plays » San Diego State’s quick-strike offense has produced 19 touchdowns on plays of 30 yards or longer. Running back Ronnie Hillman has scored on five rushes of 40 or more yards, while 13 of the 17 combined touchdowns for wideouts DeMarco Sampson and Vincent Brown have come from at least 30 yards out. This will be the ultimate challenge for a Navy defense that prides itself on not giving up big plays. The Mids bend-but-don’t-break defense surrendered just two touchdown plays of 30 yards or more.
KEY MATCHUPS
| Navy | San Diego State | |
|
QB Ricky Dobbs » Don’t doubt Dobbs’ ability to summon his best in the final game of his spectacular career. |
vs. | LB Miles Burris » The 6-3, 240-pound junior leads the Aztecs in tackles (74), tackles for loss (19), and sacks (9.5). |
| LB Tyler Simmons » The 6-3, 237-pound senior leads the Midshipmen in tackles (124) from his inside linebacker slot. | vs. | RB Ronnie Hillman » The 5-10, 175-pound freshman is a long-distance threat, rushing for 1,304 yards and 14 touchdowns. |
| S Wyatt Middleton » Keys the Mids’ bend-but-don’t-break defense. Has 81 tackles and leads nation with 5 fumble recoveries. | vs. | QB Ryan Lindley » The junior has thrown for 3,554 yards and 26 TDs, ranking No. 25 in passer efficiency rating (146.1). |
STATE OF THE TEAMS
NAVY » The Mids (9-3) can reach 10 wins for the second straight year, a feat that the program has never accomplished. In addition, the Class of 2011 can match the school record of 36 wins in a four-year span, established by the Class of 1905-08.
SAN DIEGO STATE » This is the first bowl game for the Aztecs since 1998. The program is on the rise under Mountain West Conference coach of the year Brady Hoke, who in two seasons has turned SDS around quickly after inheriting a 2-10 horror show.
EXAMINER PREDICTS …
Last year in the Texas Bowl, Navy bamboozled Missouri, 35-13. But the difference this year — San Diego State is thrilled to be here. It’s the Aztecs first bowl game in 12 years and it’s at home. Those factors will catapult them in a shootout.
San Diego State 38, Navy 34
