College Football Preview: Navy (2-2) at Air Force (1-3)
Navy at Air Force, 3:30pm ET, Oct. 6, 2018 (image: NavySports.com)
Navy Midshipmen at Air Force Falcons
Saturday, October 6, 2018: 3:30pm ET
Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, CO
After an off-week, Navy heads to Colorado Springs to face Air Force Saturday afternoon at 3:30 ET. The meeting of the two service academies will be the first step in determining who will hold the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy at the end of the season.
Let’s have a look at how each team performed in their last game and see how Navy and Air Force match up against one another.
The Side-by-Side Stats
Last Week’s Results: NAVY: 31-30, loss at SMU… Air Force: 28-25, loss to Nevada
Total Yards: NAVY: 374… Air Force: 319
Passing Yards: NAVY: 25… Air Force: 96
Rushing Yards: NAVY: 349… Air Force: 154
1st Downs: NAVY: 23… Air Force: 16
3rd Downs: NAVY: 8 of 17… Air Force: 3 of 14
4th Downs: NAVY: 2 of 2… Air Force: 3 of 4
Time of Possession: NAVY: 36:43… Air Force: 28:53
A Look at the 2018 Falcons
Air Force enters Saturday’s game against Navy on a three-game losing streak. After winning their opener against Stony Brook, the Falcons have lost to FAU, Utah State and Nevada. Despite this unimpressive record, Air Force still ranks in the top 25 in the nation in nine categories:
• Red Zone Defense
• Defensive TDs
• Time of Possession
• Fourth Down Defense
• Rushing Offense
• Rushing Defense
• Fumbles Recovered
• Passing Yards per Completion
• Fewest Penalties per Game
The Air Force ‘Unknowns’
#1: The Quarterback
The Falcons have used three quarterbacks behind center this season: Isaiah Sanders, Arion Worthman, and DJ Hammond. As of Wednesday night, Air Force had not announced which passer would start the Navy game.
Isaiah Sanders started the first three games of the year for the Falcons before missing last week’s contest due to injury. This year, he has completed 17 of 30 pass attempts for 294 yards with one TD and one INT. Sanders is also a threat on the ground. Rushing for 119 yards on 48 carries, he has scored two TDs. Sanders should be the starter if healthy.
Arion Worthman played a good game at QB against Navy last year. This season he came off the bench in two of the first three games before starting last week’s contest. His numbers pale in comparison to Sanders’, however. In the air, Worthman has completed six of 16 passes for a total of 77 yards. Additionally, he has rushed for 26 yards and one TD on 29 carries.
So far in 2018, DJ Hammond has appeared in three games, coming off the bench in each. He was impressive against Nevada, almost leading Air Force to a comeback victory. In passing, Hammond has completed six of his 15 attempts for 71 yards and one TD. On the ground, he has rushed for 36 yards and two TDs on ten carries.
Who will start at quarterback will determine just how effective Air Force’s option offense will be.
#2: The Defensive Coordinator
Another unknown as of Wednesday night is who will be running Air Force’s defense against the Midshipmen. The Falcons have not named a defensive coordinator for the contest.
Is this maneuver a ploy to unnerve Navy during practice this week? Head coach Ken Niumatalolo assured fans it would not, stating the game comes down to this: “We want to beat the crap out of them. They want to beat the crap out of us.”
What more is there to say than that?
Air Force Players to Watch
• Cole Fagan (junior, FB)… leads Air Force in rushing with 244 yards and two TDs on 58 carries
• Kadin Remsberg (sophomore, RB)… on 31 carries, has rushed for 169 yards and one TD
• Marcus Bennett (senior, WR)… leading receiver for Air Force with 12 catches for 243 yards and one TD
• Ronald Cleveland (senior, WR)… has 82 yards on eight catches
• Jeremy Fejedelem (junior, DB)… leads Air Force with 34 stops in 2018
• Brody Bagnall (senior, ILB)… has 25 tackles and one fumble recovery
Keys to a Navy Win
- Feed off the Falcon Stadium crowd. It will no doubt be a madhouse in Colorado Springs on Saturday. Navy must use that energy for good. Turn each jeer into Midshipmen yards. Many, many Navy yards.
- Play smart. Navy’s starting QB, Malcolm Perry, said it best this week, “We’ve got to cut out the simple mistakes.” Last time out, Navy turnovers kept SMU close enough to force overtime and the eventual loss. If the Mids play what they practice during the week, Navy should come out of the game with a much-needed win.
