There?s no quarterback controversy at Navy.
Despite junior Jarod Bryant replacing starter and fellow junior Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada in the second half of the past two games ? including last week?s 46-43 win over Duke ? expect Kaheaku-Enhada to be under center when the Midshipmen (2-2) host Air Force (3-1) on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.
“Jarod?s done some good things, but I don?t believe in alternating quarterbacks,” Navy coach Paul Johnson said. “Kaipo did nothing wrong. He was just tired. I?ll always try to find a way to get players involved who I think will help us win.”
Johnson said he has confidence in both Bryant and Kaheaku-Enhada to lead the offense. The 6-foot, 185-pound Bryant played two weeks ago against Ball State after Kaheaku-Enhada suffered a pair of sprained ankles. He then entered the Duke game in the fourth quarter when Kaheaku-Enhada was tired.
For the year, the 5-foot-11, 194-pound Kaheaku-Enhada leads Navy with 329 yards rushing and five touchdowns on 58 carries. He also completed 22-of-42 passes for 381 yards, 2 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. Bryant has rushed for 179 yards and a touchdown on 30 carries. He has completed 2-of-4 passes for 27 yards.
“We?re not going to get outhustled,” Bryant said. “If they play harder than us, we?re not going to win.”
Slot back Bobby Doyle said it?s important to have at least two quarterbacks ready to play. Navy found that out last season when Kaheaku-Enhada took over for then-starter Brian Hampton after he suffered a season-ending knee injury against Rutgers.
Now, Kaheaku-Enhada and Bryant are preparing to lead Navy to its fifth straight win over Air Force and the program?s school-record, 10th straight win over the other service academies. The Midshipmen defeated the Falcons, 24-17, in Colorado Springs, Colo., last year.
“You?re always just one injury away from playing,” Doyle said. “You?ve always got to be ready to play and fortunately for us a lot of people were ready to play [against Duke]. You get tired out there and it?s great to have someone who can come in and give you a few plays off. It can make a difference.”
