Refocused Midshipmen ready shoot down Eagles

But Johnson said with the team now back together in North Carolina and the game just a few days away, he is starting to see the focus and discipline that helped the Midshipmen go 9-3 so far this season.

“I thought today was a little better day than yesterday,” Johnson said. “We went with a lot of team and a lot mental stuff. I thought it wasn?t too bad.”

Johnson said he likes how quickly the Midshipmen have refocused themselves on preparing for its first game since beating Army on Dec. 2 after the team?s 102 players scattered across the country for the holidays last week. Quarterback Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada made it to Charlotte this week after visiting his native Hawaii for the break. Starting linebacker Rob Caldwell also made it back despite missing Tuesday?s practice after his plane broke down on the runway at Midway Airport in Chicago, forcing him and fellow linebacker Scott Reider to take a taxi to O?Hare Airport and fly from there.

“I think this group has a pretty good history of trying to get ready to play,” Johnson said. “The team we?re playing is awfully good, so we better be ready to play.”

Caldwell said some of the younger players on the team were more concerned about just getting home last week. However, he now sees the team unified in its effort at winning a third straight bowl game.

“It?s hard to focus on a game that?s a month away,” Caldwell said. “It?s kind of like the beginning of training camp. But now we?re here and there?s that light at the end of the tunnel. Now we?re ready to play.”

Senior cornerback Keenan Little said he sees a revitalized team that needed a break following a grueling season and the strenuous everyday life at the Naval Academy.

“I think the focus is back,” he said. “Everyone?s had a chance to go home and get that out of their system. So now we?re coming off of going home and coming into practice with fresh legs and we?re ready to go.”