Navy gives preview of new aerial attack

ANNAPOLIS | It didn’t take long for Navy to offer a glimpse of the added dynamic to its offense.

The Midshipmen’s first-team offense opened the first scrimmage of fall camp Saturday with a pass attempt on four of the first six plays, and overall it was successful through the air. Quarterback Ricky Dobbs went 7-for-9 for 113 yards, including two completions of more than 30 yards. One of his incompletions was a drop by receiver Mario Washington that could have gone for a 64-yard touchdown.

“I am a little anxious [to pass more],” Dobbs said. “But I try not to get too anxious, because I’m learning that being anxious when the time gets here [to pass], I get overexcited and I have miscues. So I just try to let it come as it comes, just wait for it and be patient.”

There is no doubt that the Mids will continue to primarily be a running team - they have led the nation in rushing four straight years and are aiming to do so again. But coach Ken Niumatalolo is seeking more balance in his offense this year - the Mids went an entire game last season without a passing attempt - and Dobbs, who has the best arm of any Navy signal-caller this decade, is the right quarterback to provide it.

“We gotta throw the ball more than we did last year,” Niumatalolo said. “We’re still an option team, but it’s more for the overall scheme and what we’re trying to get done.”

Hard to stop up front

Nose guard Nate Frazier and defensive end Jabaree Tuani are a potent tandem for Navy’s defense.

Frazier, a 6-foot-3, 292-pound senior, was the Mids’ best defensive lineman last year, commanding double teams constantly and still causing disruption in the backfield. He stood out again Saturday, collecting a sack and a forced fumble and otherwise making life miserable for sophomore centers Brady DeMell and Eric Douglass, who are battling for the starting spot on the offensive line.

Tuani led the team in tackles for loss last year, and the 6-1, 265-pound sophomore looks to be even better this year. He continued his strong camp with a forced fumble and a fumble recovery during the scrimmage.

“Those two guys up front just make a ton of big plays for us,” defensive coordinator Buddy Green said.