11/24/2003 - Football
Army-Navy Football Notes

Game Data

Navy will take on the Black Knights of Army Saturday, Dec. 6 at Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field (68,532) in the 104th playing of the Army-Navy game. Kickoff is set for 4:20 p.m. and the game will be broadcast nationally by CBS-TV and Westwood One Radio starting at 4 p.m.

The Mids enter the Army-Navy game with a lot to play for as Navy will take home the Commander-In-Chief's Trophy for the first time since 1981 with a victory over the Black Knights and could possibly be extended a bid to either the Houston, Fort Worth or Tangerine Bowls.

Navy is coming off a 63-34 shellacking of Central Michigan that saw the Mids run up 644 yards of total offense, including 530 yards on the ground.

Army, who will be trying not to become the first team in NCAA history to go 0-13 in a season, is coming off a 59-28 loss at Hawai'i.

Festivities will get underway at 1:35 p.m. with the Navy march- on. The Army march-on will take place at 2:05 p.m.

The game will be televised to 100 percent of the country on CBS with Ian Eagle and Boomer Esiason calling the action. Dwayne Ballen and Tracy Wolfson will serve as sideline reporters.

Dave Sims and Rick "Doc" Walker will call the action for Westwood One Radio, which can be heard nationwide.

The Army-Navy game can also be heard on Navy's 10-station radio network, including 1430 WNAV in Annapolis, 980 WTEM in Washington and 1300 WJFK in Baltimore, and worldwide on the internet at www.navysports.com(.) Bob Socci and Omar Nelson will call the action starting at 3 p.m. on the Navy Pregame Show.

Pete Medhurst and Joe Miller will host the Navy Tailgate Show starting at 2 p.m. on 1430 WNAV (www.wnav.com).

Mids Blast Central Michigan

Quarterback Craig Candeto (Sr./Orange City, Fla.) directed touchdown drives on all eight possessions he played as Navy destroyed Central Michigan, 63-34, in front of a Senior Day crowd of 29,527.

The Mids jumped out to a 28-7 first quarter lead as Candeto rushed for 100 yards in the first quarter.

After Central Michigan took the opening kickoff and marched 64 yards on eight plays to take an early 7-0 lead, the Mids answered when Eric Roberts (Jr./Miami, Fla.) scored on a 45-yard touchdown run to tie the game at seven.

The key defensive play happened on the next series as Central Michigan was once again marching right down the field against the Navy defense. On second-and-seven from the Navy 28, Central Michigan quarterback Derrick Vickers completed a pass to Joe Staley down to the Navy 21, but junior safety Josh Smith (Attica, Ind.) stripped Staley of the ball and Pierre Moss (Jr./Charleston, W.Va.) fell on it at the Navy 14.

Navy made the Chippewas pay immediately as Candeto hit Roberts with an 86-yard touchdown pass to make it 14-7.

After freshman David Mahoney (Fort Myers, Fla.) intercepted his first-career pass, the Mids made it three touchdowns on three plays as Candeto kept on the option and went 47 yards for a touchdown to increase the lead to 21-7.

After the Navy defense forced a punt, the Mids scored their fourth touchdown of the first quarter when Candeto scored from one yard out.

The Mids went up 35-7 midway through the second when Navy drove 99 yards on nine plays with Tony Lane (Sr./Wrens, Ga.) scoring on a 32-yard option pitch.

After Central Michigan scored two touchdowns to pull within 35-21, the Mids promptly drove 65 yards in 1:02 to go up 42-21 at the half as Kyle Eckel (Jr./Haverford, Pa.) got in on the fun with a four-yard touchdown run.

Navy put the game away on the first drive of the second half as Eckel scored on a 33-yard run and the Mids got fourth quarter touchdowns from Candeto and Bronston Carroll (Sr./Katy, Texas).

The Mids' 63 points are the most points scored by a Navy team since 1996 and the second most scored since 1922.

The Mids rolled up 644 yards of total offense, sixth most in school history, and 530 yards rushing, the second most in school history.

Eckel led the way with 167 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries, while Candeto rushed for 150 yards and three touchdowns on 13 carries. Roberts chipped in with 93 yards and a touchdown on four carries as the Mids just missed becoming the first team in school history to have three players rush for over 100 yards in a game.

Candeto completed both of his pass attempts for 105 yards and a touchdown. Both of Candeto's completions went to Roberts who touched the ball six times on the day for 198 yards and two touchdowns.

Eddie Carthan (Sr./Donalsonville, Ga.) led the defense with 12 tackles, four tackles for a loss and two sacks. Lane Jackson (Jr./Miami, Fla.) added 11 tackles and 1.5 tackles for a loss, while Smith and Eli Sanders (Sr./Hartsville, Tenn.) added 10 tackles apiece.

Scoring Outburst

Navy's 63 points on Saturday against Central Michigan were the most since Navy hung 64 on Duke on Oct. 5, 1996, and were the second- most points scored since 1953.

The 97-combined points by the two teams were the most in a Navy game since 1919 when Navy defeated that well known powerhouse at Colby College, 121-0.

Hard To Keep Up

The Navy offense was scoring so quick on Saturday, the scoreboard had a hard time keeping up. Seven of Navy's nine touchdown drives came in 3:15 or less with five coming in 2:16 or less including scoring "drives" of 19 and nine seconds.

Eight-For-Eight

For starting quarterback/left fielder Craig Candeto (Sr./Orange City, Fla.), going eight-for-eight is good in whichever sport he happens to be playing at the time.

Against Central Michigan, Candeto was at quarterback for eight drives and all eight times Navy scored a touchdown, a streak he will try and keep alive in two weeks against Army.

Break Out The Record Book

Navy's 530 yards of rushing against Central Michigan are the second-most rushing yards in school history. The record is 563 yards against Kent on Nov. 22, 1997.

The Mids averaged a school-record 10.2 yards per carry. The previous record was 9.1 by Columbia in 1943.

Navy averaged a school-record 11.1 yards per play. The previous record was 9.1 vs Kent State in 1997.

The Mids rang up 644 yards of total offense, which ranks sixth on the Mids' all-time list and are the most since last year when Navy had 678 yards of total offense against Northwestern.

Injuries

Starting center August Roitsch (Jr./Houston, Texas) is out with a left foot injury, third-team guard Brett Nungesser (So./San Marino, Calif.) is out with a left knee injury, third-team linebacker/nose guard Evan Beard (So./Boardman, Ohio) is out with a right knee injury, starting guard/center Shane Todd (Sr./Mt. Airy, Md.) is questionable with a right toe injury.

Series History

Army leads the all-time series, 49-47-7, but the Mids have won three of the last four, including last year in convincing fashion, 58-12, as Craig Candeto rushed for a school and Army-Navy game record six touchdowns.

The series has been so close that through 103 games, Navy has scored 185 touchdowns and Army has scored 178 and Navy has outscored the Black Knights by 138 points (1,447-1,315).

The Commander-In-Chief's Trophy

The Commander-In-Chief's Trophy is presented annually to the winner of the football competition among the three major service academies - Army, Navy and Air Force-and is named in honor of the President of the United States.

Air Force has won the trophy 16 times, while Army has won it six times and Navy five times.

The Midshipmen were winners in 1973, 1975, 1978, 1979 and 1981. Air Force won it in 1982, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001. Army's wins came in 1972 (the initial year), 1977, 1984, 1986, 1988 and 1996.

With a victory over Army, the Mids will win the Commander-In-Chief's Trophy.

Paul Johnson-National Coach-Of-The-Year Candidate

It's pretty easy to make a case for Navy head football coach Paul Johnson to be a candidate for National Coach of the Year when you consider the following:

*Johnson took over a program that had gone 1-20 the previous two years, the worst two-year stretch in the 122-year history of Navy football.

*Over the previous five years, Navy was 11-45, tied for the third-worst record in college football.

*Navy, at 7-4, has guaranteed itself a winning season for just the third time in 20 years and for just the ninth time in 40 years. Navy's last winning season was in 1997. A victory over Army on Dec. 6 would give the Mids eight wins, which would be tied for the third-most wins in the last 40 years at the Naval Academy.

*The seven wins are four more what Navy had won the previous three years combined (3-30) and with a victory over Army, this year's squad would equal the win total of the previous four years combined.

*Navy defeated Air Force for the first time since 1996 and put the Mids in position to win the Commander-In-Chief's Trophy for the first time since 1981 with a victory over West Point.

*The Mids lead the nation in rushing, averaging 323.1 yards per contest. The Mids are a whopping 35 yards per game ahead of second-place Minnesota. It will be just the second time in school history Navy has won the rushing title (1999). Navy has rushed for a school-record 3,554 yards, are averaging a school-record 5.5 yards per attempt, a school- record 323.1 yards per game and have rushed for a school-record 38 touchdowns.

*The Mids have gained 4,763 yards of total offense this year which is a school record. The previous record was 4,684 yards. Navy is also averaging a school record 433 yards per game of total offense and a school record 6.2 yards per play.

*Navy's victory over Air Force was the first over a ranked opponent since 1985 and broke a 35-game losing streak against ranked opponents.

*Navy won four games at home this year after winning just three home games the previous five years combined.

*Navy went from 2-10 to 7-4, which is an improvement of 5 1/2 games, the second-best turnaround in the country at a program that hasn't seen a whole lot of success in the last 40 years.

*Thanks to Johnson's potent triple option offense, Navy is just the second team in NCAA history to have four players on the same team produceover 1,000-career yards rushing.

*Johnson is doing all this with the youngest team in school history, as the Mids are dressing 18 freshmen and playing 11 (unheard of at a Service Academy).

Bowl Eligible

The Mids are bowl eligible for the first time since 1996 and will have a chance to go to a bowl for just the 10th time in school history. Possibilities for a bowl bid still exist with the Houston, Fort Worth or Tangerine Bowls.

Mids One Of The Nation's Most-Improved Teams

The Navy football team's improvement this year is currently tied for the second-best turnaround in the country as far as records are concerned.

The Mids finished the 2002 campaign with a 2-10 record and are 7-4 this year, an improvement of 5 1/2 games (1/2 game for each win and 1/2 game for each loss).

Tulsa, who is on Navy's schedule in 2004, is the most improved team in the country, going from 1-11 to 8-4, an improvement of seven games.

Mids Become Second Team In NCAA History With Four Players Over 1,000-Career Yards Rushing

Navy joined this year's Minnesota team as the only two teams in NCAA history with four 1,000-yard career rushers on the same team.

Senior quarterback Craig Candeto (Sr./Orange City, Fla.) has rushed for 1,801 yards, fullback Kyle Eckel (Jr./Havertown, Pa.) has rushed for 1,536 yards, senior slot back Tony Lane (Wrens, Ga.) has rushed for 1,173 yards and junior slot Eric Roberts (Miami, Fla.) has rushed for 1,007 yards in his career.

Winning At Home. Finally!

Navy's four home wins this year (VMI, Eastern Michigan, Tulane and Central Michigan) is one more home win than Navy had won the previous FIVE years combined. The Mids won two home games in 1998, one in 1999 and none from 2000-02.

The four home wins are the most by a Navy team since 1997 when the Mids won five games at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.

Mark The Calendar

Navy should try and schedule a game every year on Nov. 22 because the Mids certainly like to play on that date.

On Nov. 22, 1997, the Mids rushed for a school-record 563 yards in a 62-29 defeat of Kent.

On Nov. 22, 2003, the Mids rushed for 530 yards, the second most in school history, in a 63-34 rout of Central Michigan.

Navy Leads The Country In Rushing Offense; Set Numerous School Rushing Records

With just one regular-season game remaining, Navy holds a whopping 35 yards per game lead over Minnesota in the race to lead the country in rushing offense. The Mids are averaging 323.9 yards per game on the ground, while the Golden Gophers are averaging 293.2.

Navy has rushed for 3,554 yards on the year which is a school record. The previous record was 3,506 yards (in 12 games) set in 1999. The Mids are also averaging a school-record 5.5 yards per attempt, a school record 323.1 yards per game and have rushed for a school-record 38 touchdowns.

Navy has led the country in rushing just once in school history, that coming in 1999 when the Mids averaged 292.2 yards per game.

NCAA Leaders In Rushing Yards Per Game

1. Navy 323.09

2. Minnesota 293.17

3. Rice 284.36

4. Air Force 280.58

5. Arkansas 240.36

6. Nebraska 237.36

7. Kansas State 234.85

8. Texas 227.18

9. New Mexico 227.00

10. Oklahoma State 226.75

Run To Win

Teams that are successful running the ball are usually successful on the scoreboard. The combined record of the top-10 rushing teams in the country is 79-37 (.681). Nine of the 10 teams have winning records, with only Rice (4-7) having a losing record. Fourteen of the top 15 rushing teams have winning records.

The bottom-10 rushing teams-Stanford, Hawaii, BYU, La.-Monroe, Colorado, N.C. State, UCLA, Wyoming, Western Michigan and Army-are a combined 43-72 (.374).

Mids Set Total Offense Record

The Mids have gained a school-record 4,763 yards of total offense this year. The previous record was 4,684 yards set in 1999 (in 12 games).

Navy is also averaging a school-record 433 yards per game and a school-record 6.2 yards per play.

Another Navy First Down

Navy has a school-record 184 first down by rush. The school record was 177 set in 1999. The school record for total first downs is 253 set in 1985. The Mids are closing fast on that mark with 245.

Mids Fourth In The Country In Pass Defense

A big reason for Navy's success this year has been the improvement of its defense, especially the pass defense where Navy is ranked fourth in the country after finishing 63rd in the nation last year (116th in pass efficiency). Last year, Navy gave up 24 touchdown passes. This year, the Mids have given up nine.

NCAA Leaders In Pass Defense

1. Oklahoma 139.17

2. Miami (Fla.) 142.18

3. Penn State 153.33

4. Navy 157.36

5. San Diego State 160.25

6. Kansas State 162.69

7. Georgia 164.27

8. Michigan 167.08

9. South Florida 170.80

10. Nebraska 171.55

Stingy In The First

The Navy defense has given up just three touchdowns all year in the first quarter and only once has a team scored on its initial drive (Central Michigan).

Candeto Tied With McCallum For Career Rushing Touchdowns

Navy quarterback Craig Candeto's (Sr./Orange City, Fla.) three rushing touchdowns against Central Michigan marked the fifth time in his career, and second-straight game, he has rushed for three or more touchdowns in a game. He also increased his career total to 31, which tied him for the second most in school history with 2003 College Football Hall of Fame inductee Napoleon McCallum. Chris McCoy is the career record holder with an amazing 43 rushing touchdowns.

Candeto's 31 touchdowns also ties for the fourth most in school history for total touchdowns.

Candeto's 14 rushing touchdowns this year ties him for fifth with McCallum on the list for most rushing touchdowns in a single season.

Candeto has scored 186 points in his career, the sixth most in school history.

Career Rushing Touchdown Leaders In School History

1. Chris McCoy (1995-97) 43

2. Craig Candeto (2001-03) 31

2. Napoleon McCallum (1981-85) 31

4. Joe Bellino (1958-60) 24

5. Cleveland Cooper (1972-74) 17

5. Brian Madden (1999, 2001) 17

5. Brian Broadwater (1998-00) 17

Career Touchdown Leaders In School History

1. Chris McCoy (1995-97) 44

2. Bill Ingram (1916-18) 34

3. Napoleon McCallum (1981-85) 33

4. Craig Candeto (2001-03) 31

4. Joe Bellino (1958-60) 31

Single-Season Rushing Touchdown Leaders In School History

1. Chris McCoy (1997) 20

2. Craig Candeto (2002) 16

2. Chris McCoy (1996) 16

4. Joe Bellino (1960) 15

5. Craig Candeto (2003) 14

5. Napoleon McCallum (1985) 14

Career Scoring

1. Chris McCoy (1995-97) 264

2. Bill Ingram (1916-18) 263

3. Napoleon McCallum (1981-85) 200

4. Joe Bellino (1958-60) 198

5. Steve Fehr (1979-81) 189

Craig Candeto (2000-03) 186

Candeto Fourth Player In School History To Have 1,000-Career Rushing Yards And 2,000-Career Passing Yards

Navy quarterback Craig Candeto (Sr./Orange City, Fla.) is just the fourth player in school history to rush for more than 1,000 yards and throw for more than 2,000 yards in a career.

Candeto has 1,801 yards rushing and 2,231 yards passing as he joins an elite list of quarterbacks: Chris McCoy (1995-97) rushed for 3,401 yards and threw for 2,486 yards; Alton Grizzard (1987-90) rushed for 2,174 yards and threw for 3,492 yards; and Brian Broadwater (1998-00) rushed for 1,719 yards and threw for 2,500 yards.

Candeto Climbs To Eighth On All-Time Rushing List

Navy quarterback Craig Candeto (Sr./Orange City, Fla.) climbed to eighth on the school's all-time rushing list with his 150-yard performance against Central Michigan. Candeto trails Brian Madden, who is seventh on the list, by just one yard and is just 89 yards away from passing Joe Gattuso for sixth place. Candeto has rushed for 1,801 yards in his career. If Candeto can rush for 199 more yards, he would be just the 37th quarterback in NCAA history to rush for 2,000 yards or more in a career.

Career Rushing Leaders In School History

1. Napoleon McCallum (1981-85) 4,179

2. Chris McCoy (1995-97) 3,401

3. Eddie Meyers (1978-81) 2,935

4. Cleveland Cooper (1972-74) 2,582

5. Alton Grizzard (1987-90) 2,174

6. Joe Gattuso Jr. (1975-77) 1,890

7. Brian Madden (1999, 2001) 1,802

8. Craig Candeto (2001-03) 1,801

9. Chuck Smith (1984-87) 1,744

10. Brian Broadwater (1998-00) 1,719

Candeto Makes It Hurt

Navy quarterback Craig Candeto (Sr./Orange City, Fla.) doesn't attempt a lot of passes, but when he does complete one, it usually is for big yardage. Candeto has completed 136 passes in his career for 2,231 yards. That averages out to 16.4 yards per completion, which ties for the seond-best average in school history.

This year, Candeto has completd 58 passes for 1,052 yards. That averages out to 18.1 yards per completion, which ranks as the best mark in school history for a single season

Candeto is also averaging 8.1 yards per attempt in his career (2,231 yards on 276 attempts), which is the best average in school history and 9.3 yards per attempt (1,052 yards on 113 attempts), which is the second best average in school history.

Career Average Yards Per Completion

1. Brian Broadwater (1998-2000) 16.9

2. Craig Candeto (2001-03) 16.4

2. Chris McCoy (1995-97) 16.4

4. Bob Leszczynski (1976-78) 14.6

5. Bob Zastrow (1949-51) 14.4

Single-Season Average Yards Per Completion

1. Craig Candeto (2003) 18.1

2. Chris McCoy (1997) 17.4

3. Bob Leszczynski (1978) 16.6

3. Alton Grizzard (1989) 16.6

Career Average Yards Per Attempt

1. Craig Candeto (2001-03) 8.1

2. Brian Broadwater (1998-2000) 7.8

3. Chris McCoy (1995-97) 7.7

3. Roger Staubach (1962-64) 7.7

Single-Season Average Yards Per Attempt

1. Roger Staubach (1962) 9.9

2. Craig Candeto (2003) 9.3

3. Roger Staubach 1963) 9.2

Candeto Closing In On 1,000-1,000 Mark

Craig Candeto (Sr./Orange City, Fla.) is closing in on 1,000 yards rushing and passing this year, which would make him just the 22nd player in NCAA history and second player in Navy history (Chris McCoy in 1997) to accomplish that feat.

Candeto has rushed for 964 yards and thrown for 1,052 yards on the season.

Candeto over 100

Craig Candeto's (Sr./Orange City, Fla.) 150 yards rushing against Central Michigan marked the third time this year (he had 151 yards against Rice and 140 against Tulane) and sixth time in his career that he's rushed for 100 yards or more in a game.

No Picks

Navy has thrown just five interceptions (four by Candeto and one by Aaron Polanco) this year which ranks tied for third in the country for fewest interceptions thrown. Syracuse and Utah lead the country with four interceptions thrown.

Candeto Careful With His Throws

Quarterback Craig Candeto (Sr./Orange City, Fla.) has been intercepted just 11 times in 276 pass attempts or an average of .039 percent of the time which is tied for the second-best average in school history.

Lowest Interception Percentage In A Career

1. Bob Powers (1977-79) .035 (7-of-199)

2. Craig Candeto (2001-03) .039 (11-of-276)

2. Brian Broadwater (1998-00) .039 (8-of-209)

4. Roger Staubach (1962-64) .041 (19-of-463)

Candeto Responsible For A Lot Of Points

Quarterback Craig Candeto (Sr./Orange City, Fla.) has been responsible for 282 points in his career (34 rushing touchdowns, 17 touchdowns passing), the second most in school history. Only Chris McCoy, with 390 points, has been responsible for more.

Career Points Responsible For (rushing and passing)

1. Chris McCoy (1995-97) 390

2. Craig Candeto (2001-03) 282

3. Roger Staubach (1962-64) 216

4. Bill Byrne (1984-86) 214

Candeto Sets Total Offense Mark Against Central Michigan

Quarterback Craig Candeto (Sr./Orange City, Fla.) set the school record for total offensive yards per play when he avereaged 17 yards per play in Navy's 63-34 victory over Central Michigan. Candeto ran the ball 13 times for 150 yards and attempted two passes, both of which were complete, for 105 yards. The previous record was 12.7 by Allen Glenny in 1973 against Air Force (241 yards on 19 plays).

Candeto Climbing The Charts For Single-Season Total Offense

Navy quarterback Craig Candeto (Sr./Orange City, Fla.) has gained 2,016 yards of total offense this year on 343 plays, the fourth most in school history for a single-season

Single-Season Total Offense

1. Chris McCoy (1997) 2,573

2. Jim Kubiak (1993) 2,496

3. Jim Kubiak (1994) 2,175

4. Craig Candeto (2003) 2,016

5. John Cartwright (1967) 1,981

Two Over The Century Mark

Kyle Eckel's (Jr./Haverford, Pa.) 167 yards rushing and Craig Candeto's (Sr./Orange City, Fla.) 150 yards rushing against Central Michigan marked the third time this year and the 24th all-time that Navy has had two players go over 100 yards rushing in a game. The Mids just missed a school record three players over 100 yards as Eric Roberts rushed for 93 yards on four carries.

Navy's other dual 100-yard days this year were when Candeto rushed for 140 yards and Eckel 120 yards against Tulane and when Eric Roberts (Jr./Miami, Fla.) rushed for 125 yards and Eckel rushed for 104 yards against Rutgers.

Eric The Great

Junior slot back Eric Roberts (Miami, Fla.) continues to make big play after big play. Roberts has already scored five touchdowns this year of 40 yards or more, including two against Central Michigan when he had a 45-yard touchdown run and a 86-yard touchdown reception.

His 86-yard touchdown reception off a pass thrown by Craig Candeto (Sr./Orange City, Fla.) was the second-longest pass play in school history and the fifth-longest play from scrimmage in school history. The longest pass play in school history was 87 yards from Chris McCoy to Matt Scornavacchi in 1995 against Tulane. The longest play from scrimmage was a 93-yard run by John Sai against Duke in 1963.

Roberts' 69-yard touchdown run in the first quarter against Rice was the longest by a Navy player since Sept. 25, 1999, when Raheem Lambert had a 79-yard touchdown run against Rice.

Roberts has five touchdown catches on the year, which is one off the school record, and seven touchdown catches in his career, the fifth most in school history.

Touchdown Catches In A Season

1. Ryan Read (1998) 6

1. Chris Weiler (1984) 6

1. Phil McConkey (1978) 6

1. Rob Taylor (1967) 6

5. Eric Roberts (2003) 5

Touchdown Catches In A Career

1. Phil McConkey (1975-78) 13

1. Rob Taylor (1965-67) 13

3. Chris Weiler (1981-84) 8

3. Ron Beagle (1953-55) 8

5. Eric Roberts (2002-03) 7

Roberts Closing In On 1,000 Yards Rushing And Receiving For A Career

Junior slot back Eric Roberts (Miami, Fla.) is closing in on the the 1,000-yard mark for both rushing and receiving in his career. Roberts has 1,007 yards rushing and 891 yards receiving.

If Roberts can get to 1,000 in both, he would be the first player in Navy history to accomplish this feat.

Eckel, Eckel, Eckel

Junior fullback Kyle Eckel's (Havertown, Pa.) hard-nosed running style has developed a cult following among the Brigade of Midshipmen. The student body chants his name in unison every time he touches the ball, which lately has been often and for big gains.

Eckel is coming off a game where he pillaged the Central Michigan defense for 167 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries.

Earlier in the year, Eckel ran over the Air Force defense for a career-high 176 yards (previous career high was 129 this year against VMI) on a career-high 33 carries (previous career high was 18) and scored one touchdown in Navy's upset of Air Force.

His 176 yards rushing are the most by a non-quarterback at Navy since Chuck Smith rushed for 182 yards against Dartmouth in 1986.

Eckel has now rushed for over 100 yards six times this year (VMI, Rutgers, Air Force, Vanderbilt, Tulane and Central Michigan) after not topping the century mark in 2002.

Earlier in the year he became the first Navy player to rush for over 100 yards in three-straight games since Brian Madden did it in 2001 and is the first non-quarterback to rush for over 100 yards in three-straight games since current Navy radio analyst Omar Nelson did it against SMU, Boston College and Duke in 1996.

Eckel has carried the ball 193 times this year and has lost yardage on just three of those carries, all of which were one-yard losses.

Eckel Goes Over 1,000 Yards For A Season; Candeto Closing Fast

Navy fullback Kyle Eckel (Jr./Haverford, Pa.) went over the 1,000-yard mark for a season Saturday when he rushed for 167 yards against Central Michigan. Eckel is just the eighth player in school history to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season and the first since Chris McCoy in 1997. He is the first non-quarterback to rush for over 1,000 yards since Napoleon McCallum in 1985.

Quarterback Craig Candeto (Sr./Orange City, Fla.) increased his season total to 964 yards after his 13-carry, 150-yard, three-touchdown performance against Central Michigan.

If Candeto makes it to 1,000 yards rushing, it will mark just the 28th time in NCAA history and the first time in Navy history that two players have rushed for over 1,000 yards in a single season. Candeto would also become just the second quarterback in school history to rush for 1,000 yards in a season (McCoy did it twice).

Single-Season Rushing Leaders In School History

1. Napoleon McCallum (1983) 1,587

2. Chris McCoy (1997) 1,370

3. Napoleon McCallum (1985) 1,327

4. Eddie Meyers (1981) 1,318

5. Joe Gattuso Jr. (1977) 1,292

6. Chris McCoy (1996) 1,228

7. Cleveland Cooper (1972) 1,046

8. Kyle Eckel (2003) 1,026

9. Craig Candeto (2003) 964

10. Eddie Meyers (1980) 957

Candeto Trying To Crack Top 10 On Single-Season Passing List

Navy quarterback Craig Candeto (Sr./Orange City, Fla.) is well known for his running abilities, but people may be surprised to learn that he needs just 80 yards passing to crack Navy's top 10 list for single-season passing yardage. Candeto has thrown for 1,052 yards and seven touchdowns this year.

Single-Season Passing Yards

1. Jim Kubiak (1993) 2,628

2. Jim Kubiak (1994) 2,388

3. Bill Byrne (1985) 1,694

4. John Cartwright (1967) 1,537

5. Bill Byrne (1986) 1,463

6. Alton Grizzard (1990) 1,438

7. Ricky Williamson (1983) 1,394

8. Mike McNallen (1968) 1,342

9. Mike McNallen (1969) 1,312

10. Roger Staubach (1964) 1,131

Craig Candeto (2003) 1,052

Third Down Conversions

After a slow start, Navy has been remarkable at converting third downs over the last-seven games, as the Mids have converted 57-of-96 (.594) third-down opportunities after starting the year 19-of-56 (.339). Navy was nine-of-nine on third down in the first half against Rice and was 10-of-12 on third downs for the game against Tulane.

In Navy's seven wins, the Mids have converted 55-of-94 third downs (.585). They are 21-of-60 (.350) on third down conversions in the four losses.

In Navy's last-four wins, it is 47-of-71 on third down (.662).

Slot Backs Make Big Plays

In the triple option, the slot backs tend to touch the ball less than the fullback and the quarterback, but when they do get their hands on it the result is usually a big play.

The Navy slot backs have rushed for 1,231 yards on 126 carries (9.8 yards per carry) and 12 touchdowns (one every 10.5 carries). The slots are led on the ground by Eric Roberts (Jr./Miami, Fla) and Tony Lane (Sr./Wrens, Ga.). Roberts has rushed for 538 yards and three touchdowns on 56 carries (9.6 yards per carrry), while Lane has rushed for 508 yards and five touchdowns on 41 carries (12.4 yards per carry).

The slots have also proven dangerous through the air, catching 27 passes for 622 yards (23.0 yards per catch) and five touchdowns. Roberts leads the way with 18 catches for 462 yards (25.7 yards per catch) and five touchdowns.

All told, the slots have touched the ball 153 times (rushing and receiving) and have gained 1,853 yards (12.1 yards per touch) and scored 17 touchdowns.

Roberts And Lane On Pace To Smash School Record For Career Rushing Yards Per Attempt

Junior slot back Eric Roberts (Jr./Miami, Fla.) and senior slot back Tony Lane (Sr./Wrens, Ga.) are on pace to set the school record for career yards per carry (minimum 100 attempts). The current school record is 5.7 yards per carry set by Bob Craig (1952-54), who rushed for 668 yards on 118 carries.

Roberts is averaging 8.8 yards per carry in his career, rushing for 1,007 yards on 114 carries. Lane is averaging 8.6 yards per carry in his career, rushing for 1,173 yards on 137 carries.

Career Rushing Yards Per Attempt (minimum 100 attempts)

1. Eric Roberts (2002-03) 8.8

2. Tony Lane (2001-03) 8.6

3. Bob Craig (1952-54) 5.7

4. Joe Gattuso (1952-54) 5.5

5. Ned Oldham (1955-57) 5.2

Roberts On Pace To Smash School Record For Career And Season Receiving Yards Per Catch

Junior slot back Eric Roberts (Jr./Miami, Fla.) is on pace to set the school record for career receiving yards per reception (minimum 25 receptions). The current school record is 19.3 yards per reception set by Jim Stewart (1960-62), who caught 47 passes for 907 yards in his career.

Roberts is averaging 25.4 yards per catch in his career, catching 35 passes for 889 yards.

This year, Roberts has 18 catches for 462 yards (25.7 average) and five touchdowns, which ranks as the best average in school history for a single season. Last year, Roberts averaged 25.2 yards per catch, which is the third best average in school history for a single-season.

Career Receiving Yards Per Catch

1. Eric Roberts (2002-03) 25.4

2. Jim Stewart (1960-62) 19.3

3. Matt Scornavacchi (1993-95)