Oct 8, 2016; Annapolis, MD, USA; Navy Midshipmen linebacker Josiah Powell (58) returns a Houston Cougars quarterback Greg Ward Jr. (not pictured) for a touchdown during the third quarter at Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Navy defeated Houston 46-40. Photo Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
No. 24 Navy is looking to capitalize on its home-field dominance in a pivotal matchup against conference rival Memphis on Saturday.
The winner takes over first place in the American Athletic Conference West Division and controls its own destiny for a spot in the league championships game. Only Navy, Memphis and South Florida, which leads the AAC East Division, remain unbeaten in conference play.
The Midshipmen are riding a 13-game winning streak at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, which ties the program record. Memphis, however, poses a huge challenge and leads the nation with 18 forced turnovers in six games.
“It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out how important this game is for both teams,” Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo said this week on the coaches’ teleconference. “We both control our own destiny. Whoever wins is going to be in the driver’s seat. Both schools started the season with high aspirations to represent the West then play and win the AAC championship.”
Memphis (5-1 overall, 2-0 AAC) is making its first-ever trip to Annapolis. Navy (4-1, 3-0) upset the then No. 15 Tigers 45-20 last season in Tennessee. That also snapped Memphis’ 15-game winning streak.
“I’m really pleased with where we are at the midpoint of the season,” Tigers coach Mike Norvell said. “We have put ourselves in position for this week to be a huge game.”
Navy quarterback Will Worth has been solid running the the triple option. He took over the starting job when Tago Smith suffered a season-ending knee injury in the season-opener against Fordham.
In the Midshipmen’s last game, Worth ran for a career-high 115 yards with a touchdown and passed for two scores in a 46-40 victory over former No. 6 Houston. Worth was named the AAC Player of the Week for that performance.
“I definitely put a lot of responsibility on myself to keep this thing running the way it has been over the years,” Worth said. “It’s always been next man up. Everyone has to be ready at all times, because just like that, something can happen.”
Worth will face a stern test against a Memphis defense that has scored three defensive touchdowns this year — tied for the fifth most in the country. In addition, the Tigers have recovered seven fumbles (eighth most) and picked off 11 passes (fifth most).
Memphis, which beat Tulane 24-14 on Friday, is also 10th in the nation in turnover margin at plus-1.17 per game.
“From the first day when I got here I talked to our defense about an identity, that’s what we want to be known for,” said Norvell, who is in his first year as the Tigers’ head coach. “We are going to capitalize on every opportunity that we get to make plays. When you look at it, it’s not just one guy. It’s a variety of guys.”
The Memphis offense is led by quarterback Riley Ferguson, a community college transfer who has completed 129 of his 197 pass attempts for 1,596 yards with 12 touchdowns and six interceptions. Wide receiver Anthony Miller has caught 32 of those passes for 438 yards and two touchdowns.
Memphis running back Doroland Dorceus has also been solid with 427 yards on 59 carries with five touchdowns. The Tiger average 438.3 yards per game, compared to 392 by the Midshipmen.
“I think you’re seeing growth in every area and a lot of guys that are playing at extremely high levels,” Norvell said. “We know it is going to take our best effort this week and it’s going to be a great opportunity.”
The Midshipmen had two weeks to prepare after their last game against East Carolina was postponed to Nov. 19 because of flooding from Hurricane Matthew. The time off could help a pair of starters, fullback Chris High (hip) and cornerback Tyris Wooten (undisclosed), get back into the lineup.
Navy’s defense suffered a blow when linebacker and co-captain Daniel Gonzales went down with a season-ending foot injury Oct. 1 against Air Force.
However, fellow linebacker Josiah Powell did well filling in for Gonzales against Houston and nabbed his first two career interceptions and had three tackles. As a result, Powell, a 6-foot-3, 224-pound senior from Providence, Ky., was named the Football Writers Association of America Defensive Player of the Week and the AAC Defensive Player of the Week.
He and the rest of the Midshipmen will need to have another big game this week against Memphis … and perhaps a lift from the rest of the Brigade.
“We’re going to need all the home field advantage we can get in this game,” Niumatalolo said. “We’re hoping for a big crowd, as much noise as we can get.”
