Navy senior fullback Eric Kettani knows exactly what the Midshipmen’s offense must do to be successful on Saturday afternoon against No. 23 Pittsburgh.
“We need to break a few long runs,” he said. “[Quarterback] Jarod [Bryant] needs to make some plays, [slotback] Shun [White] needs to break one and I need to do that myself: break some tackles, make some long runs and actually score and finish them off.”
And big plays have been a key to victory this season for Navy (4-2), which hosts the Panthers (4-1) on homecoming at 3:30 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. During its three-game winning streak, the Midshipmen have 11 plays of more than 20 yards, but had just one — a 29-yard run by Bryant on the third play from scrimmage — in its most recent victory, a 33-27 win at rival Air Force. In a 48-45 double-overtime win at Pittsburgh last year, Navy had four plays of more than 20 yards.
And those big plays concern Panthers coach Dave Wannstedt, whose team enters the game with the 27th ranked defense in the nation, yielding just 294.2 yards per game.
“[Kettani’s] had some big runs — 40, 50, 60, 70-yard runs — this season,” he said. “He’s not your typical fullback that you’re going to give the football to and hope he makes three yards and falls down. You have to tackle him or he’s capable of taking it the distance.”
Kettani is second on the team in rushing with 510 yards and a touchdown on 82 carries. And with senior quarterback Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada missing his second straight game with a partially torn left hamstring he aggravated in the win over Wake Forest on Sept. 27, it will be up to Kettani, White and Bryant to power the offense.
But Navy’s attack isn’t just about big plays.
The Midshipmen are 10th in the country in fewest three-and-outs per game, failing to sustain a series just 10 times this season.
“If we don’t take advantage of the opportunities that are ahead of us, starting this week against Pittsburgh, it will be a travesty,” Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo said. “We have to make sure we continue to raise the bar.”
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Pittsburgh at Navy
When » Saturday, 3:30 p.m.
Where » Navy-Marine Corps
Memorial Stadium
TV » CBS College Sports Network Radio » 1090 AM
Tickets » Available
