Navy will go as far as junior QB takes them
Navy already has lost its most irreplaceable part on defense, nose guard Nate Frazier, who was dismissed from the Academy last month. Now the top priority for the Midshipmen is to protect their most irreplaceable part on offense.
Recommended Stories
To that end, Navy placed a green jersey on junior quarterback Ricky Dobbs in the preseason, meaning he was not to be touched. The hands-off treatment ends Saturday in Columbus when Navy challenges No. 7 Ohio State.
Dobbs’ status is of particular importance as he is the team’s only experienced skill position player. Dobbs started just one game in 2008, but ranked third on the team in rushing yards (495) and second in touchdowns (eight), fulfilling the potential that was forecast when he arrived as a highly-touted freshman from Douglas County High (Ga.).
Dobbs, a 6-1, 198-pound junior, has both between-the-tackles toughness and breakaway speed. He also is a talented passer, and Navy has hinted it will open up its run-oriented triple-option attack to accommodate his skills and to stretch opposing defenses that have become accustomed to stacking the box against a Midshipmen squad that has led the nation in rushing the last four years.
Another reason Dobbs is so valuable? The alternative. The Mids don’t have a viable backup. No. 2 Kriss Proctor, injured in a scrimmage last month, underwent knee surgery and is not due back until October. Now filling the backup role is sophomore Kyle Stukel, who began the preseason as a slot back.
“We’re not as deep at that position as we’ve been in the past,” said Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo. “We’ve got to be smart. We’ve got a 12-game schedule and we don’t have a break in between.”
With Dobbs, Navy has the ability to be dangerous. Last year he came off the bench to rally Navy from a 20-point deficit in an overtime victory over Temple. He also sparked a late rally as the Midshipmen threw a scare into Notre Dame. In his lone start, Dobbs ran for 124 yards at Northern Illinois. He also ran for 224 yards and four touchdowns against SMU.
Considering the heavy load that will fall on Dobbs, keeping him upright will be problematic. There won’t be many plays where he simply hands the ball off to sophomore fullback Alexander Teich or one of the gaggle of Midshipmen slot backs.
Dobbs will have to stand in the pocket and deliver more passes than any quarterback in Navy’s triple-option history, making him prey for blitzing linebackers. Opposing defenses will be targeting Dobbs, knowing that the Mids will be severely limited if their top weapon is off the field.
“We’re not going to become Texas Tech,” joked Niumatalolo. “But we will have to throw the ball more.”
Working in Dobbs’ favor, however, is a cohesive, veteran offensive line, led by undersized, but agile left tackle Jeff Battipaglia (6-4, 256), the key man in Navy’s protection scheme. Two other starters, Curtis Bass and Matt Molloy, return along with top reserve Osei Asante.
“The line gives me a real good sense of security,” said Dobbs. “All five guys, I’ve got a good relationship with. We’ll only go as far as they take us. They’re the heart of our offense. They’ll put their life on the line for me.”
