Quarterback: A-
Yes, Kaipo did take a costly sack and Jarod fumbled in overtime, but outside of these two plays both of the quarterbacks played well. Kaipo-Noa rushed for 117 yards and two scores during the first half, while Jarod Bryant did an admirable job coming in and not missing a step for the injured Kaheaku-Enhada during the second half. The Hoover High product ran for 77 yards while directing the offense, and looked poised and in control for the entire second half. Kaipo is still the clear starter, but give Jarod credit. If he can correct his fumbling "issues" he's probably just as good as an option quarterback as Kaipo-Noa.
Fullbacks: A
You couldn’t have asked for a better performance by Navy’s fullbacks, as Adam Ballard and Eric Kettani combined for 201 yards rushing. Ballard started off strong and was off to a fine day until Kettani came in and exploded in the second half, using his excellent speed en route to a 126 yard, two touchdown day. I’m a huge fan of both of these guys and their running styles, but it’s apparent that Kettani’s speed and athleticism give Navy a chance to score on plays Adam might not be able to break. I look for Coach Johnson to continue to go back to both of these guys (but especially Eric) next week.
Slotbacks: B
The slotbacks had a good day running the football, as Reggie, Shun, and Zerb combined for 135 yards on an 8.4 yard per carry average. Shun also had two catches on the day, while Zerb had a late grab on the final drive before overtime. Shun’s third quarter fumble was HUGE and is the only thing that detracts from a solid outing on Saturday night.
Wide Receivers: B
OJ, Greg, Tyree, and Curtis did what they were asked to do going into the game, and that was block the heck of Ball State. No catches, but you can’ really blame them considering how many yards Navy ran for.
Offensive Line: B+
Probably lost in the shuffle of the entire game, Navy’s offensive line played its best game of the season and outside of a single holding penalty (albeit a crucial one) the unit kept it together. Antron and the guards did a great job opening up lanes in the middle, while the line showed the ability to get guys to seal off the linebackers on the second level and allow for some big gains outside. They will be challenged by a much more imposing Duke defensive line next week, but it’s good to see progress here.
Defensive Line: D-
I think we might have been better just lining up three cones and throwing them at the offensive line. Seriously, we’ve got nothing going up front, and this unit was just getting pushed all over the place. Let’s try to think past the “we need more pressure” argument that so many fans throw out and just concentrate on filling the gaps, something we NEED our D-linemen to do. Yet Nate Frazier and the DE’s were almost unheard of for the entire game, getting pushed off the point of attack on a down by down basis, and failing to generate any penetration against the run or the pass. I've gotten used to see us give up 250+ passing yards, but I thought our rush defense was better than that.
Linebackers: C-
Navy’s linebackers did not have a good day, duh. I’ve been really disappointed with the performance of Matt Humiston and Matt Wimsatt to date, each of whom looked out of position and slow against the Ball State running game. Both of these guys need to show a better job reacting and coming off of blocks if they’re going to hold off the likes of Craig Schaefer and Matt Nechak. It’s tough to be critical up the middle, because after Irv went down we were left with sophomores Pospisil and Haberer, each of whom have very little experience. I know this unit didn’t get much help from the defensive line, but they have got to do a better job tackling and playing in space.
Secondary: B-
Despite giving up 277 yards, this was not a complete disaster of a day for Navy’s secondary, which benefited from career days from Ketric Buffin and Darius Terry. Darius was a guy I was high on coming into the year and with the limbo-like situation of Greg thrasher did an fine job playing the cornerback position Saturday night. He’s and instinctive player and a courageous tackler who probably saved a couple of long gains with his ability to knife past blockers and pursue the ballcarrier. He also played decently in coverage despite being a “mismatch guy” at 5’7. And of course there was Ketric, who made a nice interception in the endzone and batted down a crucial third down pass in the fourth quarter.
Fans: D
We collectively suck. I really don’t think I need to say anymore.
Yes, Kaipo did take a costly sack and Jarod fumbled in overtime, but outside of these two plays both of the quarterbacks played well. Kaipo-Noa rushed for 117 yards and two scores during the first half, while Jarod Bryant did an admirable job coming in and not missing a step for the injured Kaheaku-Enhada during the second half. The Hoover High product ran for 77 yards while directing the offense, and looked poised and in control for the entire second half. Kaipo is still the clear starter, but give Jarod credit. If he can correct his fumbling "issues" he's probably just as good as an option quarterback as Kaipo-Noa.
Fullbacks: A
You couldn’t have asked for a better performance by Navy’s fullbacks, as Adam Ballard and Eric Kettani combined for 201 yards rushing. Ballard started off strong and was off to a fine day until Kettani came in and exploded in the second half, using his excellent speed en route to a 126 yard, two touchdown day. I’m a huge fan of both of these guys and their running styles, but it’s apparent that Kettani’s speed and athleticism give Navy a chance to score on plays Adam might not be able to break. I look for Coach Johnson to continue to go back to both of these guys (but especially Eric) next week.
Slotbacks: B
The slotbacks had a good day running the football, as Reggie, Shun, and Zerb combined for 135 yards on an 8.4 yard per carry average. Shun also had two catches on the day, while Zerb had a late grab on the final drive before overtime. Shun’s third quarter fumble was HUGE and is the only thing that detracts from a solid outing on Saturday night.
Wide Receivers: B
OJ, Greg, Tyree, and Curtis did what they were asked to do going into the game, and that was block the heck of Ball State. No catches, but you can’ really blame them considering how many yards Navy ran for.
Offensive Line: B+
Probably lost in the shuffle of the entire game, Navy’s offensive line played its best game of the season and outside of a single holding penalty (albeit a crucial one) the unit kept it together. Antron and the guards did a great job opening up lanes in the middle, while the line showed the ability to get guys to seal off the linebackers on the second level and allow for some big gains outside. They will be challenged by a much more imposing Duke defensive line next week, but it’s good to see progress here.
Defensive Line: D-
I think we might have been better just lining up three cones and throwing them at the offensive line. Seriously, we’ve got nothing going up front, and this unit was just getting pushed all over the place. Let’s try to think past the “we need more pressure” argument that so many fans throw out and just concentrate on filling the gaps, something we NEED our D-linemen to do. Yet Nate Frazier and the DE’s were almost unheard of for the entire game, getting pushed off the point of attack on a down by down basis, and failing to generate any penetration against the run or the pass. I've gotten used to see us give up 250+ passing yards, but I thought our rush defense was better than that.
Linebackers: C-
Navy’s linebackers did not have a good day, duh. I’ve been really disappointed with the performance of Matt Humiston and Matt Wimsatt to date, each of whom looked out of position and slow against the Ball State running game. Both of these guys need to show a better job reacting and coming off of blocks if they’re going to hold off the likes of Craig Schaefer and Matt Nechak. It’s tough to be critical up the middle, because after Irv went down we were left with sophomores Pospisil and Haberer, each of whom have very little experience. I know this unit didn’t get much help from the defensive line, but they have got to do a better job tackling and playing in space.
Secondary: B-
Despite giving up 277 yards, this was not a complete disaster of a day for Navy’s secondary, which benefited from career days from Ketric Buffin and Darius Terry. Darius was a guy I was high on coming into the year and with the limbo-like situation of Greg thrasher did an fine job playing the cornerback position Saturday night. He’s and instinctive player and a courageous tackler who probably saved a couple of long gains with his ability to knife past blockers and pursue the ballcarrier. He also played decently in coverage despite being a “mismatch guy” at 5’7. And of course there was Ketric, who made a nice interception in the endzone and batted down a crucial third down pass in the fourth quarter.
Fans: D
We collectively suck. I really don’t think I need to say anymore.
