Navy Hosts SMU on Senior Day

Navy (7-2, 5-1 AAC) plays host to #21 SMU (9-1, 5-1 AAC) on Saturday afternoon at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. The game will be a battle of two AAC West foes that are battling for a shot at the AAC championship game.  Both teams have one loss in the conference at the hands of Memphis.  If the winner of today’s game wins out and Memphis loses one of their final two games, today’s winner would represent the West Division in the AAC championship.


The game will be the final home game for 32 Navy seniors, including captains Paul Carothers, Nizaire Cromartie, Ford Higgins, and Malcolm Perry.  The Mids are have won their last 16 Senior Day contests with the last loss in 2002 against Connecticut.

The Mustangs are led by QB Shane Buechele, a transfer from Texas.  Buechele has thrown for 3,207 yards and 28 touchdowns.  The SMU passing offense is seventh in the nation with 328.1 yards per game.  Buechele has two talented targets in James Proche and Reggie Roberson Jr.  Proche has 88 receptions and 12 touchdowns.  Roberson has 43 catches and six touchdowns.

SMU is also capable of moving the ball on the ground.  Xavier Jones has rushed for 1,068 yards and 18 touchdowns.  Navy defensive coordinator, Brian Newberry will have a challenge in slowing down the SMU offense.  The Midshipmen defense is led by linebacker, Diego Fagot.  Fagot has 69 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and interception and a forced fumble.

Navy will counter SMU with the best rushing attack in the country.  The Mids average 349.3 yards per game.  The Mids passing offense is ranked #128, however they boast the most passing yards per attempt nationally with 23.51.

Malcolm Perry

Senior quarterback Malcolm Perry is the player to watch for Navy.  Perry leads the Navy rushing attack with 1,159 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns.  Perry is complemented in the rushing game with fullbacks Nelson Smith and Jamale Carothers.  When Perry does go to the air, his main receiver is Mychal Cooper who has 12 receptions and two touchdowns.  CJ Williams also has two touchdown receptions on the year.

The Midshipmen travel to Houston next week and will face Army on December 14.  The AAC championship game is scheduled for December 7.