Third quarter: Navy 24 Army 10
December 11th, 2010 | Army-Navy game | Posted by rahoff
Navy quarterback Ricky Dobbs refuses to allow Army to fall out of this game. With Navy driving in Army territory to put the final stake in the Black Knights’ heart, Dobbs committed his fourth turnover of the game by throwing an interception to Army safety Richard King in the endzone.
Army started off the second half strong, marching down the field before the drive stalled and settling for a 42-yard field goal. Army should consider having the kicker to double duty because their punter has been abysmal all game.
Army quarterback Trent Steelman didn’t look injured in the third quarter after hobbling off the field at the end of the first half.
If Army wants to complete a comeback its defense is going to have to pitch a shutout the rest of the way and Army is going to have to open up the offense a bit. For Navy, they just need to protect the ball. Dobbs’ affinity for turning the ball over needs to end if Navy wants to finish off the Black Knights for ninth straight game.
Halftime coaching points
December 11th, 2010 | After Action Army-Navy game | Posted by rahoff
This is what both coaches need to go over with their teams during halftime.
For Army coach Rich Ellerson:
- Coverage by the secondary must tighten on Navy receivers. They are letting Navy’s wide receivers run free.
- The offensive line and receivers must maintain the blocks. Too often they are allowing Navy to come off initial contact and make tackles for a loss or no gain.
- The offense has got to make first downs. Each one of these three-and-outs is wearing down Army’s defense.
For Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo:
- HOLD the ball. I’m looking at you Ricky Dobbs, who fumbled three times in the first half.
- Better tackling. Navy had Army’s offense bottled up until they got sloppy on their tackling and allowed Army to convert their 4th down.
- Maintain your intensity and focus – Army will come out fired up. This game is not over, especially if Dobbs keeps handing Army players the ball.
Special guest prediction: Army 17 Navy 14
December 11th, 2010 | After Action Army-Navy game | Posted by rahoff
This year After Action brought in a special guest, retired Lt. Col. Robert Hoffman, who also played defensive end at Bloomsburg University. This year he will be blogging and providing his insight on the game. We asked him first for a prediction.
After walking the field before kick-off and sensing the energy coming from Army’s side of the field I am predicting Army ends their eight game losing streak and winning 17-14.
The key for Army will be containing Navy senior quarterback Ricky Dobbs. The cadets also need to contain wide receiver Greg Jones who is Dobbs favorite target. All year Navy has tried to feature Dobbs’ arm more in the offense and I expect Navy’s coaches will want to do more of the same in Dobbs’ last Army-Navy game. Read the rest of this entry »