Having gone to a bowl game each of the last four seasons, Navy does not take solace in moral victories like it did before coach Paul Johnson arrived in 2002.
Still, Navy walked off the field Saturday following its 25-24 loss to No. 23 Boston College in the Meineke Car Care Bowl proving that it could play with a nationally ranked team while also giving the players returning for 2007 motivation to build on this season?s 9-4 record.
Many of Navy?s top skill players should return next season, including fullback Adam Ballard, slot back Reggie Campbell and quarterback Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada. Also, while most of Navy?s defensive front seven graduates this spring, it should return a number of more seasoned defensive backs such as Jeromy Miles, Rashawn King, Ketric Buffin and Jeff Deliz.
Kaheaku-Enhada is likely to have the advantage over backup signal-caller Jarod Bryant for the starting job once spring practice opens up. He led Navy to a 4-2 mark after taking over for Brian Hampton, who broke his leg Oct. 14 against Rutgers. Still, Kaheaku-Enhada knows he can?t take anything for granted.
“You just go out and set the tone from first day of spring,” he said. “In fact, you set the tone from the first day of lifting after you get back from Christmas break. We have to carry on what [the seniors] left just to give them the respect that they deserve. We?ve just got to get back at it, get in the weight room, get bigger and stronger, and hopefully everything will fall into place by next year.”
Current Navy senior defensive back Jeremy McGown said he expects the Midshipmen to be back in the bowl picture next year, even with a difficult schedule that includes nationally ranked teams this season like Rutgers (Sept. 8), Atlantic Coast Conference champion Wake Forest (Sept. 15) and Nov. 3 at Notre Dame on the schedule.
“I?m glad for these guys coming back next year because now they should have the confidence knowing that they can go out there and play with an ACC team and dominate in a lot of the aspect of the game,” said McGown after Saturday?s loss. “I think the team may have actually taken a step forward just by getting that confidence even though we took that loss. I don?t believe in moral victories, but I?m happy they can go into next year with that kind of confidence.”
NAVY NOTES
» Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada finished the season with 580 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. He also completed 23 of 48 passes for 384 yards, five touchdowns and one interception.
» Reggie Campbell rushed for 744 yards and five touchdowns this season. Fellow slot backs Shun White and Zerbin Singleton rushed for 581 and 196 yards, respectively.
