Thursday, November 10, 2016

Previewing Navy vs. Tulsa

Navy (6-2, 4-1) and Tulsa (7-2, 4-1) will meet for the fourth time on Saturday in Annapolis. Navy holds a 2-1 series record against the Golden Hurricane. The teams will be playing for first place in the AAC West Division

Saturday's contest will also be Senior Day for the Midshipmen. 31 seniors will play in what will be their final game at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Navy comes into the game with a 14-game home winning streak.

Navy is led by quarterback, Will Worth.  Worth leads the Midshipmen in rushing with 793 yards and 15 touchdowns. He has also completed 60 percent of his passes for 1035 yards and 6 TDs. Fullback, Chris High also has five rushing TDs. Jamir Tillman is the leading receiver with 27 catches for 403 yards. Tillman is currently second on the career receiving yards list with 1398, just 338 yards behind record holder Rob Taylor.

Micah Thomas leads the defense with 58 tackles. Josiah Powell has two interceptions and a forced fumble.

Tulsa comes into the game winning their last three games, averaging over 51 points per game in those contests. Tulsa's only two losses this season have come at the hands of Ohio State and Houston.

The Golden Hurricane offense has been equally efficient on the ground and through the air. Tulsa is averaging 253 yards rushing and 258 yards passing per game. QB Dane Evans has thrown for 2244 yards and 18 TDs this season. James Flanders leads the ground game rushing for 1080 yards and 14 TDs. D'Angelo Brewer has added 983 yards and five TDs.

Keevan Lucas is Evans' top target this season with 60 catches for 845 yards and nine TDs.

Tulsa's assistant head coach and co-defensive coordinator, Brian Norwood was a former secondary coach at Navy between 1995-99. Norwood and Navy's head coach, Ken Niumatalolo grew up together in Hawaii and are good friends.

Navy's senior class has a 35-13 record and are two wins away from becoming the winningest class class in Navy history.

Kickoff is set for Noon on Saturday.


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