While quarterback Brian Campbell and fullback Adam Ballard racked up the most yards on the ground for Navy in last week?s win over East Carolina, they also got production from a number of other backs who showed big-play capabilities.
Most notable were the Midshipmen?s slot backs, led by Reggie Campbell?s 62 yards on eight carries. But a pair of previously little-used players also made their presence known.
Sophomore Shun White, who saw action in just three games a year ago, came up with 49 yards on six carries, including a 14-yard scamper. Also, junior Zerbin Singleton had 12 yards on two carries. But, just as important, Navy coach Paul Johnson said the trio made key blocks when they had to.
“I thought they played pretty well,” Johnson said. “They?re like everybody else. They have room for improvement. Reggie was solid. All the guys did a nice job blocking. Shun did some nice things running the ball. You don?t get that many defenders to the ground unless those guys are helping.”
Johnson said White played better than he expected and believes he can step in and complement Campbell to give the offense a spark. Karlos Whittaker was expected to fill that role, but Navy dismissed him from the academy before the season.
“He has some ability,” Johnson said of White. “He?s fast. He?s probably faster than Karlos.”
Johnson also knows he needs to get more out of his slot backs as the season progresses, compared to the production he received against East Carolina. The Midshipmen abandoned the slot-back pitch from their offensive game plan after the Pirates broke through and batted one away in the second half.
LINE DISPARITY
When the Midshipmen host Massachusetts Saturday in Annapolis, they could have a hard time stopping the Minutemen on the ground. The average offensive lineman for UMass is 6-foot-4 and 297 pounds. This compares to a Navy defensive line that averages 6-foot-2 and 249 pounds. The Midshipmen will also have to deal with Minuteman senior running back Steve Baylark, who is hoping to become just the third Division I-AA back to rush for at least 1,000 yards in each of his four seasons.
