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When the Tigers travel down I-97 to the state's capital for Saturday's match up against the Naval Academy, it will be one of the most significant games in the history of Towson football. Not only will it be the Tigers' first game against their intrastate rival from Annapolis, but it will be Towson's first ever game against an NCAA FBS football opponent.
"We've been talking about this game for the past couple of years," Towson head coach Gordy Combs, who is 13-3 in season openers, said. "More than any other game that I have ever coached, in my 16 previous years as a head coach and 19 as an assistant, there is more interest in this game than any other."
The match up has stirred up local buzz and also attracted the eye of a national audience through Navy's contract with CBS Sports to televise their games.
"I keep saying that we probably couldn't have chosen a better first BCS opponent because of the fact of where they are and the proximity of where they are to our campus," Combs added. "The exposure that we'll get with it being on 'CBS College Sports' will be terrific."
This game will also kick-off the 40th season in program history, but they will be facing a program that is considered one of the most prestigious programs in the country. Navy football was established in 1879 and is credited as one of the original schools to play an intercollegiate football game. Navy boasts 19 players and three head coaches that are now in the College Football Hall of Fame. Navy is the alma mater of two Heisman Trophy winners: Joe Bellino in 1960 and Roger Staubach 1963. Also, the estimated 120,000 spectators that watched Navy face Notre Dame at Soldier Field in 1928 is the largest crowd to ever attend a college football game.
"I think our players understand and appreciate the meaningfulness of this game," Combs said. "When we go down there and see the stadium, go to the game on Saturday and see how the parking lot will be filled up, when the Midshipmen come into the stadium, and of course before the game starts, watching the fly-by. With their traditions, it is going to be very exciting."
Last season, Navy went 8-5 and played in a bowl game for a school record fifth consecutive year. After starting the season 4-4, Navy won four straight games, including their first victory against Notre Dame in 43 contests and a 38-3 win over archrival Army. This will be the first full season for head coach Ken Niumatalolo, who took over the team at the end of last season following Paul Johnson's departure for Georgia Tech.
Navy's offensive philosophy is in stark contrast to that of Towson's. While the Tigers rely heavily on the pass to win games, the Midshipmen depending almost exclusively on the run, deploying their flex bone triple option. Navy ranked first in the nation in rushing yards per game in 2007, averaging almost 349 yards per game. Navy returns four offensive starters, three of which are the Midshipmen's top rushers from last season. Senior fullback Eric Kettani is Navy's leading returning rusher with 880 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground in 2007.
Kettani rushed for more net yards last season than Towson did as a team. Senior slot back Shun White carried for 620 yards and seven touchdowns last season. Although senior quarterback Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada, who rushed for 834 yard and 12 touchdowns last season, is out with a hamstring injury, the Navy ground game should remain productive.
"Playing against an option team, your number one focus is to be consistent with your job," senior linebacker Jordan Manning added. "If you have the quarterback, then make sure you tackle the quarterback. If you have pitch, then make sure you contain that pitch. If you have dive, then make sure you tackle the dive every play. Everyone needs to know their role and responsibility."
While Navy should be efficient on offense, they have been suspect on the defensive side of the ball. In 2007, Navy gave up more than 439 yards per game. They also gave up more than 36 points per game, including a season high 62 in a win over North Texas. Despite that, Navy is returning eight starters from last season and their experience should make them stouter on defense. Attacking this Mids defense may also be a key to the game.
"Last year, they had a lot of injuries on defense. They lost some upperclassmen that really held together their defense," Combs said. "Now those guys are back plus the guys that played in their places gained experience. I think their defense will play with a chip on their shoulder. I expect their defense to play with a lot of energy, a lot of enthusiasm and a lot of intensity. But at the same time, I expect our offense to be the same way."
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