TULSA – Navy and Tulsa have combined to run the ball 423 times in seven games, so only the sun and the occasional punted ball may appear in the sky during their American Athletic Conference West Division contest Saturday in Oklahoma.
The Midshipmen and their perennially powerful rushing attack average 393 rushing yards -- second nationally, while the Golden Hurricane sit fourth with 311.5 -- some 137 yards higher than their final 2016 number.
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Navy rushed for 569 yards -- the second-most in program history and most in AAC annals -- in last week's 42-32 victory over Cincinnati and could be licking its chops as Tulsa is 126th among the 129 FBS teams at stopping the run (294.5 yards allowed per game).
So it seems to matter little that Midshipmen junior quarterback Zach Abey has attempted 25 passes in three games this season compared to Golden Hurricane sophomore Chad President, who has chucked it 102 times in four contests. Tulsa will try to avenge a 42-40 loss to the Midshipmen last season, but it might be difficult as it goes up against the No. 15 rushing defense in the nation at 96.3 yards per game.
The Golden Hurricane, who are coming off heartbreaking three-point losses to New Mexico (16-13) last week and at Toledo 54-51, may need President to solve a passing defense which yields 246 yards per game -- 81st nationally.
TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPNU. LINE: Navy -7
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ABOUT NAVY (3-0, 2-0 AAC):
Abey has made the most of his nine completions with 295 yards and three touchdowns to go along with two interceptions, but more importantly has recorded team highs of 471 yards rushing and four TDs. When Abey decides to hand the ball off, senior fullback and Oklahoma City native Chris High (47 carries, 199 yards, TD) is the most likely recipient while sophomore running back Malcolm Perry (13, 115, one) is a bit more explosive. Junior safety Sean Williams paces the defense in total tackles (22) and unassisted tackles (18), and shares the lead in pass breakups (three) with senior cornerback Tyris Wooten.
ABOUT TULSA (1-3, 0-0):
Senior running back D'Angelo Brewer is third in the nation with 578 rushing yards and has a team-leading five touchdowns. Three others -- freshman running back Shamari Brooks (276 yards), President (210) and sophomore running back Corey Taylor II (179) -- have four touchdowns apiece. Sophomore safety Manny Bunch leads the team with 30 tackles -- 23 solo -- and has one of the Golden Hurricane's four interceptions.
EXTRA POINTS
1. The Midshipmen program record for rushing yards in a game is 572 set during a 74-62 victory over North Texas in 2007.
2. This is the second contest in a string of three straight games that Tulsa faces a version of the option offense after it yielded 338 rushing yards to New Mexico. Tulane (18th nationally at 244.3 rushing yards) is next.
3. Navy, which is 16-3 versus the AAC since joining the conference in 2015, has won all four meetings -- including both AAC games.