Navy walked off the field awinner last week after defeating Pittsburgh, but its defense suffered a major loss.
Junior cornerback Ketric Buffin injured his right arm in the 48-45 double-overtime victory, and is doubtful for Saturday?s Homecoming game against defending Atlantic Coast Conference champion Wake Forest ? and maybe longer.
Buffin is the third Midshipman to sustain a serious injury. Linebacker Clint Sovie and safety Jeff Deliz are out for the season.
“We have to move on,” Navy coach Paul Johnson said. “It is what it is. Somebody else will get an opportunity to play.”
Prior to his injury, Buffin established himself as one of the team?s best players, as he made an interception in each of the first four games.
Buffin is the first Midshipman to accomplish that feat, and his four interceptions are the most since Josh Smith and Eddie Carthan each had four during the entire 2003 season.
Johnson said the defense, which allows 33.5 points per game, can?t dwell on the loss of Buffin if it is to defeat Wake Forest. The Demon Deacons (4-2) have won four straight, including last week?s 24-21 upset over then-No. 21 Florida State. Navy (4-2) has won its past three games.
“It?s going to be Air Force on fast ? forward,” Johnson said. “If you want to see what it looks like just go put the Air Force game on and watch is on fast forward. That?s what it will look like. It will be at warp speed, not at Air Force speed. They play to their personnel and they do a great job with it.”
Junior cornerback Rashawn King said it is imperative the defense plays much better than it did against Pittsburgh, where it relied on the offense to keep Navy in the game.
“We?ve learned to overcome adversity and rotate a lot of guys on defense. The next guy just has to step up and play well. ” King said. “It seems like we just make plays when we have to. We would like not to have to do that. We have to pick it up this week in practice.”
