One player continuallyy came to Navy linebacker Ross Pospisil’s mind as he watched film of No. 23 Pitt’s sophomore running back LeSean McCoy: former Southern Cal running back and Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush.
“He can hit it inside, take it outside, he’s a weapon,” the junior said. “He also holds the ball out there when he is running [like Bush did] and can stop on a dime. He’s such a diverse back.”
Navy (4-2) will again have to play one of its best games of the season if it’s to defeat Pitt (4-1) on homecoming on Saturday at 3:30 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. McCoy torched the Midshipmen for 165 yards and three touchdown on 32 carries last season, but it Navy prevailed, 48-45 in double overtime when defensive back Rashawn King batted away a pass in the end zone on fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line.
The goal-line stand was one of the few bright spots for Navy’s defense last season, which yielded an average of more than 36 points and 439 yards per game. But this year the unit has dramatically improved, allowing an average of slightly more than 25 points and 384 yards per game.
The improved play of the defense is a huge reason for Navy’s three-game winning streak, which includes a victory at then-No. 16 ranked Wake Forest — the Midshipmen’s first win over a ranked team since 1985.
“We have just found a way to win. It’s like a good basketball team: If your shots aren’t falling you have to find a way to get to the free-throw line,” Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo said. “ I don’t care what we have to do to win, I just want to score one more point than the other team.”
And with senior quarterback Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada questionable against the Panthers as he nurses a nagging partial tear of his left hamstring, the team’s chances of winning hinges on its defense.
“Being dialed in and leaving it all on the field is the only way we have a chance,” Pospisil said. “Being Navy, we aren’t going to come out here and have an off day and beat anybody. We have to be 100 percent.”
UP NEXT
MIDSHIPMEN (4-2) vs. No. 23 PITTSBURGH (4-1)
When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m.
Where: Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium
TV/Radio: CBS College Sports Network; 1090 AM
Tickets: Available
