Navy safety Wyatt Middleton clearly remembers how flustered he was following the Midshipmen’s 34-31 overtime loss to Ball State last fall.
“It was very confusing and they have an explosive offense,” the sophomore said. “I tried to keep it simple and stay home, but they are very good.”
But very little was simple for Navy that day on defense, as the Cardinals shredded the Midshipmen for 539 yards of total offense — 277 in the air and 262 on the ground.
Navy’s defense was its biggest weaknesses last season, yielding more than 36 points and 439 yards per game. It’s pass defense was especially porous, but figures to improve this season with the return of senior safety Jeff Deliz, along with cornerbacks Rashawn King, Ketric Buffin and Blake Carter and Middleton.
And the defense will have to play one of its best games in nearly two years if the Midshipmen (1-0) want to upset Ball State (1-0) at Scheumann Stadium in Muncie, Ind., on Friday night at 7 in front of a national television audience on ESPN.
“You never know what to expect with a team like that,” Middleton said. “But I know we are trying to each play our own roles, contain and control cut backs.”
One offensive catalyst for the Cardinals that Navy can focus on will be quarterback Nate Davis. The junior completed 21-of-24 passes for 290 yards with three touchdowns in a 48-14 win over Northeastern last week.
But the Midshipmen were nearly as impressive in containing Towson’s passing-oriented attack in a 41-13 win over the Tigers in Annapolis. Towson quarterback Sean Schaefer completed 29-of-47 passes for 330 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.
The Tigers, however, gained just 108 total yards after halftime.
“I thought we covered their receivers well,” Navy junior linebacker Clint Sovie said. “If I make a mistake I have to get up and get ready for the next play. We talked about it as a defense on the sideline. One play, make a hit, and it’s over, move on to the next one.”
And Middleton expects there to be plenty of chances for the secondary to make plays.
“I love when the ball is in the air,” he said with a smile. “I am glad we play teams like this with good receivers, good running backs and a good quarterback. It’s always fun to play on ESPN.”
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