For Navy?s 35 seniors, the perfect ending is there for the taking as they prepare for today?s Meineke Car Care Bowl at Bank of America Stadium.
A win would give the Midshipmen?s upcoming graduating class 36 wins over the last four seasons, tying the Class of 1909 for the most wins by a class in school history. This group ? credited with helping revive a program that went 3-30 the three years before its arrival ? can also win their third straight bowl game after already capturing a fourth straight Commander-in-Chief?s Trophy.
But for that to happen, Navy (9-3) must defeat No. 23 Boston College (9-3), which has a pretty successful senior class of its own. The Eagles? seniors are also winners of 35 games in their careers, and the program overall is riding a national-best six-game bowl winning streak.
Boston College provides arguably the toughest test yet for Navy in a bowl game during coach Paul Johnson?s five-year tenure. Johnson is quite aware of the challenge ahead and knows Navy will be tested by an opponent that boasts a massive line on both sides of the ball (each averaging more than 300 pounds) and a passing offense that averaged an Atlantic Coast Conference-best 241.1 yards per game with quarterback Matt Ryan under center.
“They are going to get some passing yards,” Johnson said. “They are very efficient, and their quarterback is good. We have to keep their receivers in front of us, don?t let them throw it over our head and limit their running game. That?s the best chance we have at winning the game.”
As usual, Navy?s primary method of attack will be through its top-ranked rushing unit, which averages 327.4 yards per game. However, the Midshipmen?s ground game took a hit when fullback Adam Ballard broke his leg Dec. 2 against Army. Slot back Reggie Campbell (678 yards, 5 TDs) and quarterback Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada (556 yards, 10 TDs) will have to assume a greater load.
Johnson said neither Ballard?s injury or Boston College?s imposing lines would change how the Midshipmen prepare for the game.
“It doesn?t change no matter who we are playing,” Johnson said. “We have to be able to run the ball, take care of the ball and stop them from running the ball.”
Boston College linebacker Jolonn Dunbar said he expects a tough game against Navy and that preparing for the triple-option has been one of the toughest jobs he has had since coming to college.
“I haven?t played against this type of offense since high school, but obviously Navy plays it at a completely different level,” he said. “You really have to be disciplined because so much of what Navy does is timing-based and making the right reads. If you over-pursue or miss your assignment, they will put six points on you really fast.”
Meineke Car Care Bowl Notes
» Today?s game represents the 29th meeting between the two schools. Boston College holds a 17-11 advantage in the series, which dates back to 1928. Navy?s last victory in the matchup came in 1998.
» A Navy victory today would give coach Paul Johnson the 100th win of his career. He is currently 99-34 overall, and his .744 winning percentage is 10th-best among active Division I coaches.
» Boston College interim coach Frank Spaziani said defensive end Brady Smith (Loyola graduate) violated team rules and will not play in the bowl game. Smith was listed first on the depth chart at left end and had played in all 12 games, starting eight.
» Boston College features the most prolific trio of wide receivers in the ACC in Kevin Challenger, Tony Gonzalez and Brandon Robinson, who have combined for 117 receptions on the year.
