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Navy (5-5 SU, 4-6 ATS, 4-3 AAC) hopes to become bowl-eligible when they face SMU (9-2 SU, 6-5 ATS, 7-0 AAC) on Saturday at 12pmET from Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas. If the Mustangs defeat the Mids, SMU will advance to the AAC Championship game on Dec. 2.
SMU beat Navy on the road last season 40-34, but didn't cover the 12.5.
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Brian Newberry didn't have the start he wanted as the new head coach taking over for long-time coach Ken Nimutalolo. His Mids have now won two straight games over UAB (31-6) and ECU (10-0) to get to five wins. They need to beat SMU or Army to become bowl-eligible. Last week, Navy scored an early touchdown on an Alex Tecza 19-yard run in the first quarter, which was enough to hold on to beat the Pirates 10-0 from Annapolis. Navy has now posted three shutouts, which as the most for an FBS team this season and most for a Navy squad since 1978 (they had four).
“I'm really proud of our team,” said Navy head coach Newberry to NavySports.com. I'm happy for our seniors. It was an important day for us. We want to be able to celebrate those guys. It is not their last game but possibly their last game here. We had an emotional night last night, having those guys get up and say how important this place is to them. It is a small class, but there are some tough dudes, guys with character, continue to fight through the years. They left a mark on our program for sure. They are an inspiration for me. I wish there were more days like today over the years, but I'm happy for them to get a win.”
Navy has had injury and production issues at quarterback all season. Xavier Arline is now the starter and the former slotback and current lacrosse player, completed 10 of 11 for 102 yards. But he also fumbled twice and lost both of them. Navy ran for just 174 yards on 50 carries (3.48ypc).
Tecza leads the option offense with 723 yards and five TDs on 6.3 yards per carry. Tai Lavatai (522 yds passing, 4 TDs) is another option at quarterback, but is listed as questionable and missed the last three games. Navy averages 202.3 yards per game on the ground (14th) and allow 122.3 yards rushing (34th). Their pass defense (227.5ypg) will be tested in thi s game.
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