3 Dec 2017 - Week 14

Navy Midshipmen 49, Oregon Ducks 37

Sherwood Leads Midshipmen to Victory

Off Player of the Game: QB James Sherwood 23-30, 483 yds, 6 TDs 0 INTs
Def Player of the Game: S Chad Wright 9 tckls, 33% Completion Percentage Against
Navy Play of the Game: Sherwood finds Bright yet again for another long score to put the Middies up for good in the 2nd quarter https://ncaa-football.myfootballnow.com/watch/281#52377

10 Dec 2017 - Week 15

Arkansas Razorbacks 35, Navy Midshipmen 34

Middies Blow 21 Point Lead, Lose Heartbreaker to Razorbacks

Off Player of the Game: WR Lawrence Bonner 8 rec, 116 yds, 1 TD
Def Player of the Game: DE Samuel Hawkins 5 tckls, 3 scks
Navy Play of the Game: Tommy Rodgers barrels through the left side for a short TD run to put the Middies up 34-28 late in the 4th https://ncaa-football.myfootballnow.com/watch/299#55826

17 Dec 2017 - Week 16

Army Black Knights 8, Navy Midshipmen 3

Late TD Bomb Seals Midshipmen's Fate in Defensive Struggle

Off Player of the Game: Lackluster performance, no game ball awarded
Def Player of the Game: No individual standouts, but D was solid
Navy Play of the Game: Nothing worth mentioning in this snoozefest...

2017 Season Review

Record: 6-10 (2-4 Division, Last Place in Independent Division)

Going into the season, it was unclear what this Navy football team would be able to accomplish. Director of Football operations mhines7878 wasn't hired until more than halfway through the allocation draft process, resulting in an uneven draft for the Midshipmen. It took 4 games to get into the win column for the Midshipmen, but fans were encouraged that the only blowout loss was to eventual NCAA runner-up Notre Dame. A big win over rival Army sent the Middies on a midseason win streak and gave fans even more to hope for, but Navy couldn't sustain it dropping 4 of their last 5 games after a season high victory over then top 5 Marshall.

The Good

Senior QB James Sherwood lit up the record books finishing the season with over 5000 yards passing with 48 TDs and 17 INTs. Fans are excited to have him back under center for the next few years.

RB William Sciortino saw his scholarship to Oklahoma revoked as the season started, but was quickly picked up by Navy as a walk-on. After playing sparingly over the first 3 weeks, he wrestled away the starting position in Week 4 against Alabama and never looked back, eventually leading the Middies in Rushing with 1124 yards on 202 carries (5.8 ypc) and 4 TDs.

WR Richard Bright didn't get the national recognition as some others, but he finished the top 10 of receivers for yards (1638), yards per catch (20.3), TDs (13) & Reception % (67.2%!). The Sherwood to Bright connection was one highlight reel after another this season, and fans hope that it was just the beginning.

DEs Samuel Hawkins and Doug Harris combined for 101 tackles, 39 sacks and 109 QB pressures. Hawkins, the only 5 star recruit for Navy, lived up to his billing off the edge, finishing 7th in the NCAA in sacks. He couldn't have done it without the other bookend Harris keeping teams honest on both sides of the line. Without the two of them, Navy's defense would have been even more porous than it was.

The Bad

Despite the record breaking performances, Sherwood often looked pedestrian against top-tier teams. Untimely 2nd half interceptions cost Navy at least a couple of wins and he failed to show up against rival Notre Dame twice. Fans hope that he can build off his historic season and cut down on the mistakes to keep the Midshipmen offense running smoothly for the next few years.

Navy's defense was porous for most of the season giving up more than 35 points 7 times during the season. They were able to come through a for a few games, but the inconsistent performance was one that Middie fans would like to forget.

The Ugly

The kicking game was atrocious. Plagued by missed extra points and field goals throughout the season. It's unclear who will come out on top of the kicking battle next year between Joseph Brewer or Robert Knight or whether the coaching staff decides to go after someone else in the offseason. All that's known is that another repeat performance can't happen in 2018.

Midshipmen part ways with Head Coach, Offensive Coordinator & Defensive Coordinator

In a surprise move, Navy and Head Coach John Dunlap decided to part ways after a 6-10 season. Director of Football Operations mhines7878 quickly hired former Washington DC John Garcia who it is hoped will bring a more aggressive defense.

Garcia, in turn, promptly hired Oklahoma QB coach Matthew Stewart to be his new Offensive Coordinator and Texas receivers coach Daniel Allen to be his new Defensive Coordinator.

Only time will tell if this was a good move for Navy, considering the job Dunlap was able to do with the roster that was assembled for him in Year 1.

2018 National Signing Day

Day 1: DT James Wolford - The Middies will look for the big bodied Texas product to help shore up a weak defensive front that allowed 155 yards per game on the ground with their first signing in Wolford. While not as athletic as Ole Miss DT recruit Wayne White, Wolford boasts decent speed and good strength. He is expected to fight for a starting position as soon as he steps on campus.

Day 2: CB Joel Curry - Again looking for help on the defensive side of the ball, Curry is a high intelligence moderate athlete with good projected cover skills that should help to provide some speed to a very slow secondary overall. Very similar to Wolford, Curry should be in the mix to vie for a starting position right away.

Day 3: S Adam Gilmore - With K Eli Kabong signing his letter of intent to Michigan just hours before, Navy goes back to the well again to get some upgrades on the defensive side of the ball. Gilmore doesn't boast the best of speed, but he does give an upgrade to a very weak secondary. We look for him to get significant playing time or possibly start depending on his performance in camp and through the scrimmages.

WR Peter Murphy - This looks to be a bit of a luxury pick, that if he pans out could be a good decision for the Middies who will probably need to outscore opponents once again in 2018 to be competitive. Murphy provides some decent speed, and the willingness to get open in the middle of the field to provide Sherwood with another potential weapon.

Day 4: DB John Reyes - With the talent dwindling, the only player that looks like he may get a shot at a scholarship on the last day of signings is Reyes but only because of the lack of talent in the defensive backfield. If he makes the team, Navy will look to continue upgrading which would put Reyes in a position to move on in a year or two.

18 Aug 2018 - Scrimmage 1

Tennessee Vols 38, Navy Midshipmen 31

New Look Defense Yields Same Results Against Reigning National Champs

New Midshipmen Head Coach David Garcia was hired to bring a fresh new look to a defense that rated near the bottom in almost every statistical category last year. In his first test as a head coach, however, Garcia's defense looked eerily similar to the Navy defense last year which surrendered big play after big play last year. Tennessee scored on plays of 55, 67, 73 and 65 en route to a 31-3 lead and eventual 38-31 victory in the first scrimmage of 2018.

"You have to give a lot of credit to Tennessee," said Garcia in his post game conference. "They are the defending champs for a reason."

The defense wasn't the only issue with the Middies, however, as the offense failed to put together any sort of drive until the 4th quarter. With the backups in, Navy did put up a brief comeback attempt but it was too little too late.

Off Player of the Game: WR Joseph Laughlin 3 rec, 103 yds, 1 TD
Def Player of the Game: DE Doug Harris 7 tckls, 5 sacks
Navy Play of the Game: RB Virgil Lehman bursts through the line and scampers 43 yards to pay dirt https://ncaa-football.myfootballnow.com/watch/334#62097

Next Week vs. Kansas Jayhawks

25 Aug 2018 - Scrimmage 2

Navy Midshipmen 33, Kansas Jayhawks 14

Midshipmen Show Improvement in Scrimmage #2, Defeat Jayhawks 33-14

In almost a complete reversal of the previous week, the Midshipmen put up a good all-around performance in their defeat of the Kansas Jayhawks. Even the special teams got in on the action with a 99 yard kickoff return for a TD by Virgil Lehman.

The 1st team offense moved the ball, but outside of their first two drives it resulted in missed opportunities. It was enough, however, as the Midshipmen defense made the Jayhawks one dimensional and limited the big play. The much maligned defense held Kansas to a paltry 22 yards rushing on 16 carries and forced 7 sacks as well.

"The defense played much better this week and that is encouraging," says Head Coach David Garcia. "We're still a work in progress, but every this is a step in the right direction."

Regular season play opens next with the Midshipmen hosting Pac-12 team Utah in the home opener.

Off Player of the Game: QB Francis Hernandez 13-17, 137 yds (led team to 4 scores in 5 drives in 2nd half)
Def Player of the Game: DE Kevin Quinlan 4 tckls, 4 sacks
Navy Play of the Game: For the 2nd straight week RB Virgil Lehman electrifies the crowd. This time he breaks multiple tackles on a 99 yard kickoff return for a TD in the 3rd quarter. https://ncaa-football.myfootballnow.com/watch/350#65117

Next Week: vs. Utah Utes (0-0)

2 Sep 2018 - Week 1

Navy Midshipmen 50, Utah Utes 13

Navy Opens 2018 in Convincing Fashion Against Utes

Before the start of the game, Navy fans did not know what to expect from new Head Coach David Garcia's new look defense. By halftime however, fans were singing the praises of a defense that caused 4 1st half turnovers and just over 100 yards of total offense against Utah en route to a 31-7 lead. Indeed Navy's defense appeared to be a step above last year's up and down performance, but Coach Garcia had this to say after his team's 50-13 victory.

"Look, we played a great game. Our boys were all over the field today, causing turnovers, rallying to the football... but let's put it into perspective. It's just one game. One game does not make a season. It's obviously a step in the right direction, but we need this type of performance each week.."

Navy's defense will continue to be the talk on campus this week as they face a dynamic offense in their next game with defending Heisman Trophy winner Robert Beall and UCLA comes to town. Navy will also more than likely have to do without defensive captain LB Brian Pierce who went down with a neck injury against Utah.

"Brian is the heart of our defense," says new Defensive Coordinator Daniel Allen. "But he'd be the first to say that it takes 11 men to make our defense successful... it's next man up."

Not to be outdone by an impressive defensive showing, the Midshipmen put up 50 points (the highest in the NCAA in week 1) led by RB William Sciortino. Sciortino put up over 200 yards of total offense and 4 scores.

"We wanted to come out and make a statement," said Sciortino. "All the talk last year was rightfully about James (Sherwood), but we wanted to show that we're more than just a pass happy team."

Time will tell if this is a glimpse of what Navy can do, or whether this is another flash in the pan like so many times we saw in last year's team.

Off Player of the Game: RB William Sciortino 22 carries, 115 yards, 3 TDs, 3 rec, 91 yards 1 TD
Def Player of the Game: LB John Pope 9 tckls, 1 sack AND DE Samuel Hawkins 5 tckls, 2 sacks, 9 QB hurries
Navy Play of the Game: Sciortino goes right up the middle for a 7 yard TD run to open the floodgates https://ncaa-football.myfootballnow.com/watch/373#69489

Next Week: vs. UCLA Bruins (0-1)

09 Sep 2018 - Week 2

Navy Midshipmen 55, UCLA Bruins 9

Total Team Effort Leads to Middies Big Win

For the 2nd straight week, the Midshipmen hosted a PAC-12 South team with defending Heisman Trophy winner Robert Beall and UCLA coming to Annapolis. Different team, same result this week as Navy blasted UCLA 55-9 for their 2nd win to start out the 2018 season.

Propelled mainly by a defense that held Beall to 245 yards passing with 0 TDs and 1 INT (63.57 rating) and reigning Doak Walker winner Bobby Warfield to 36 yards on 12 carries, Navy never trailed en route to their blowout victory.

"I'm really proud of our guys tonight," said Head Coach David Garcia. "They played a great game in pretty much every facet."

Another great performance from RB William Sciortino, which saw him run for 183 yards and a touchdown, was completed by the passing game and QB James Sherwood who tied his own school record with 6 touchdowns.

Garcia had nothing but praise for his two offensive stars; "James has been such a consistent presence for this team, it's been great to see Will get some good yardage on his touches in the first couple of weeks."

The Middies look to continue their great play in their next game against Big 12 opponent Kansas.

Off Player of the Game: QB James Sherwood 30-39, 381 yds, 6 TDs, 0 INTs AND RB William Sciortino 16 carries, 183 yds, 1 TD
Def Player of the Game: LB Ray Mitchell 9 tckls, 25% completion percentage allowed on 8 attempts
Navy Play of the Game: Sciortino breaks through the line and dashes 83 yards for the score https://ncaa-football.myfootballnow.com/watch/385#71852

Next Week: vs. Kansas (1-1)