Kaheaku-Enhada returns to practice for Midshipmen
Senior quarterback Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada returned to practice this week after injuring his left hamstring earlier this month.
But it still is unknown if the candidate for the Davey O’Brien Award — given annually to the country’s top quarterback — will be ready when the Midshipmen open their season against Towson at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on Aug. 30 at 3:30 p.m.
“It is too early to make that call, but I wouldn’t rule it out,” Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo said. “He’s working hard and that’s all we can ask him to do. Ideally, if he could come back next week and have a full week to get ready that would be great. He knows what to do mentally, but he has missed some of the physical part so he would be a little rusty.”
Kaheaku-Enhada ran one of the best offenses in school history last fall, helping the unit average more than 39 points and 444 yards per game. He also amassed 1,786 yards of offense and scored 20 touchdowns en route to leading Navy to its NCAA-record third-straight rushing title (348.8 yards per game).
But if Kaheaku-Enhada can’t fully practice early next week, senior Jarod Bryant will start against the Tigers. Bryant moved to slotback in the spring to take advantage of his experience in the offense and running ability, but was forced to return to his natural position after Kaheaku-Enhada’s injury.
“The pressure is definitely on us,” senior center Ricky Moore said. “The mental mistakes will come out when the stress is on.”
Navy’s offense also is counting on contributions from several newcomers in the backfield who have been nursing nagging injuries. Slotbacks Andre Byrd and Corey James each have started working out after missing practice because of injuries. Freshman fullback Alex Teich, who is listed second on the depth chart behind senior Eric Kettani, returned to practice after being hobbled by a right sprained ankle he suffered last week.
“We are now turning our focus exclusively to Towson,” Niumatalolo said. “We are pairing down to our travel squad and the guys that will be playing in the games are getting all the reps.”
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