Sunday chart: When Navy's triple option has no options

There are any number of ways to assess Navy’s poor offensive performance Saturday.

There was the two first downs in the middle two quarters.

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There was the one solitary gain of more than 15 yards.

There were the three plays in the red zone all afternoon.

But the final total yards figure —- 144 —- said plenty about the Midshipmen’s 12-0 loss to San Jose State.

It also stands out in recent history as well. Since Paul Johnson‘s arrival and installation of the triple-option in 2002, only once has Navy managed a worse offensive day.

That was in ‘02 against Connecticut. While the 2002 Huskies weren’t marauders, Johnson inherited a winless team and went 2-10 in his debut.

The case can be made Saturday’s loss was more troubling even if the data wasn’t quite so ugly:

FEWEST TOTAL YARDS, NAVY 2002-2012

Opponent	Year	Yards	Result
Connecticut	2002	82	L, 38-0
San Jose State	2012	144	L, 12-0
Rutgers	2006	161	L, 34-0
Georgia Southern	2010	193	W, 13-7
Rice	2002	205	L, 17-10
at Texas Christian	2003	207	L, 17-3
Air Force	2009	209	W, 16-13 (OT)
at Pittsburgh	2009	218	L, 27-14
at Notre Dame	2011	229	L, 56-14
vs. Notre Dame	2008	242	L, 27-21

—-Patrick Stevens