9/20/2004 - Football
Navy-Vanderbilt Football Release

Files associated with this release:
Navy Football Release

Game Data
Navy (3-0) will play host to Vanderbilt (0-2) Saturday afternoon at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m.

Navy is off to a 3-0 start for the first time since 1979 (that team started 6-0 and finished 7-4) and just the third time in 40 years (the 1978 team started 7-0 and finished 9-3). Tickets are still available and can be bought in advance at the Navy Ticket Office in Ricketts Hall, online at www.navysports.com or by callling 1-800-US4-NAVY. Tickets may also be purchased at the stadium on game day.

Saturday's game will be televised nationally by HDNet with Pete Medhurst calling the play-by-play and former Navy wide receiver Astor Heaven ('97) handling the color commentary. Kandace Krueger will serve as the sideline reporter.

HDNet (www.hd.net), the leading all-high-definition network, is available on Adelphia, Charter, Insight, Mediacom and Time Warner cable outlets as well as DIRECTV and DISH Network. A high-definition television set and receiver is required to view HDNet. Viewers should contact their cable and satellite service provider for more information. HDNet programming is also available at participating restaurants and bars and other public viewing locations throughout the United States. For locations showing HDTV, go to: www.hd.net/sportsbars.html.

Saturday's game will also be broadcast on the Navy Radio Network which includes ESPN Radio in Baltimore (1300 AM), Sportstalk 980 in Washington, D.C. (980 AM), WNAV in Annapolis (1430 AM), and ESPN Radio in Cambridge, Md. (1240 AM), ESPN Radio in Norfolk, Va. (1310 AM) and WFWR (91.5 FM) in Attica, Ind. The game can also be heard world wide via the internet at www.navysports.com or at www.wnav.com. The Navy Football Pregame show will air an hour before kickoff (12:30 p.m. EST) on those same networks.
Bob Socci returns for his eighth season on the Navy football broadcasts and is in his seventh year as the full-time play-by-play announcer. Socci is joined by Omar Nelson ('97), who is in his third year as a member of the Navy Radio Network and his second as the full-time color analyst. Noted sports author John Feinstein, who is in his eighth season on the Navy Radio Network, provides a weekly pregame segment with Socci and will join Socci and Nelson in the booth for the Duke, Notre Dame and Army games.

Veteran announcers Pete Medhurst and Joe Miller will kick things off with the Navy Tailgate show on 1430 WNAV and www.wnav.com two hours before kickoff (11:30 a.m. EST).

Injury Report
Wide receiver Amir Jenkins (Sr./Temple Hills, Md.) is questionable.

Series History
The all-time series is tied, 2-2-2, with Vanderbilt holding a 1-0-2 mark in games played in Annapolis. Last year, Navy won in Nashville, 37-27, as quarterback Craig Candeto ran for two touchdowns and threw for two more.

Fullback Kyle Eckel (Sr./Havertown, Pa.) rushed for 115 yards on 20 carries in that game, while Amir Jenkins (Sr./Temple Hills, Md.) and Eric Roberts (Sr./Miami, Fla.) had three catches apiece. Jenkins also caught a 43-yard touchdown pass from Candeto.

Vandy QB Jay Cutler completed 18 of his 30 pass attempts for 227 yards and one touchdown, while Norval McKenzie carried the ball 11 times for 77 yards and a touchdown.

Volunteer Navy
Navy has two players on its varsity roster from Tennessee. Backup sophomore kicker Ethan Gouge hails from Kingsport, while junior long snapper Matt Williams is from Franklin.

Familiar Foes
Navy head coach Paul Johnson holds a 5-2 record in games where he's matched up against Vanderbilt head coach Bobby Johnson. Navy's Johnson was 4-2 against Vandy's Johnson when Paul coached at Georgia Southern and Bobby was at Furman. Last year, Navy defeated Vandy, 37-27, in Nashville.

Scouting Vanderbilt
The Commodores are off to a 0-2 start, losing at home to South Carolina, 31-6, and then losing a heartbreaker at Ole Miss, 26-23. Vandy led the Rebels, 23-10, in the third quarter before losing in overtime.

Vandy is led by standout quarterback Jay Cutler, who has completed 33 of his 55 pass attempts for 401 yards with three interceptions and one touchdown. Cutler's favorite target is Brandon Smith, who has 10 catches for 124 yards. Erik Davis has grabbed eight balls for 137 yards and one touchdown. Norval McKenzie leads the Vandy ground attack with 95 yards rushing.

Vanderbilt's defense is led by Kelechi Ohanaja, who has recorded a team-high 25 tackles.

Mids Rout Tulsa
Senior fullback Kyle Eckel (Havertown, Pa.) rushed for 98 yards and three touchdowns, while the defense shut out a Division IA opponent for the first time since 1980 (Boston College, 21-0) as Navy rolled to a surprisingly easy, 29-0, road victory in front of 23,658 fans at Skelly Stadium.

The offense got things going with a 14-play, 98-yard drive on its initial series as senior quarterback Aaron Polanco (Wimberley, Texas) completed three of his five pass attempts for 73 yards. Polanco hit senior slot back Eric Roberts (Miami, Fla.) for 27 yards on a third-and-11 play from Navy's own one-yard line, completed a 16-yard pass to senior slot Frank Divis (Avon, Ohio) on a second-and-nine play from the Navy 29 and then on second and 23 from the Navy 44, completed a 30-yard pass to freshman Reggie Campbell (Sanford, Fla.) who made a spectacular catch along the left sideline. Eckel capped off the drive with a one-yard touchdown run.

Tulsa came right back and had the ball first-and-goal at the Navy three, but the defense held tough. After Tulsa got hit with a 10-yard holding penalty, Hurricane quarterback James Killian scrambled to the Navy three setting up second-and-goal. Jeremy Chase (Jr./Norfolk, Va.) stuffed Brandon Diles for no gain on second down, Jeremy McGown (So./Houston, Texas) and Bobby McClarin (Sr./Bethlehem, Pa.) were there to meet Killian for a one-yard gain on third down and then McClarin threw Killian down for a one-yard loss on fourth and goal.

After the offense went three-and-out and a short Navy punt gave the ball back to Tulsa at the Navy 49, the Golden Hurricane offense was back on the move. After a 19-yard pass from Killian to Ashlan Davis on first down put the ball at the Navy 30, the Navy defense stiffened as four Urial Parrish rushes netted just eight yards. Lane Jackson (Sr./Miami, Fla.) and Reggie Sealey (Sr./Upper Marlboro, Md.) were there to meet him on fourth and two from the Navy 22, as another Tulsa scoring chance was thwarted.

After the teams exchanged punts, Navy went on an 11-play, 80-yard drive capped off by a one-yard touchdown run by Eckel to make it 14-0 at the half. Eckel's score was set up by a 24-yard pass from Polanco to Trey Hines (So./Douglasville, Ga.).

Navy put the game away early in the third, as Eckel scored his third touchdown of the day on an eight-yard touchdown run. When the defense failed to cover wide receiver Corey Dryden (Sr./Longwood, Fla.) on the extra-point, Geoff Blumenfeld (Sr./Granite Bay, Calif.) called for the direct snap and hit Dryden for two points.

Sophomore safety Dujuan Price (Austin, Texas) saved the shutout for the Mids as he picked off two passes in the fourth quarter, including one in Navy's end zone.

The Mids outgained Tulsa, 447-320, and held a 330-100 advantage on the ground. Roberts complemented Eckel's 98-yard day with 89 yards rushing on seven carries, including a 37-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.

Polanco was efficient through the air, completing six of his eight pass attempts for 117 yards.

Jackson and McClarin led the defensive unit. Jackson recorded a career-high 13 tackles and a tackle for a loss, while McClarin had a career-high tying 11 tackles and a 1.5 tackles for a loss.

The secondary played very well with six passes broken up and two interceptions.

Shutout
Navy's 29-0 rout of Tulsa was Navy's first shutout since Oct. 15, 1994,
when Navy shut out Lafayette, 7-0. Navy last shut out a Division IA team
on Oct. 4, 1980, when Navy blanked Boston College, 21-0. The last time
Navy recorded a shutout on the road was Sept. 23, 1978, at Connecticut,
(30-0) and the last time Navy recorded a shutout on the road against a
Division IA opponent was Sept. 16, 1978, when Navy shut out Virginia, 32-0.

Second Half Dominance
Navy has dominated the second half this year, outscoring the opposition,
50-13. The Mids have not given up a point in the fourth quarter this year.

Tough In The First Quarter, Too
Dating back to the start of last season (16 games), Navy has outscored
the opposition, 137-40, in the first quarter.

No Laundry On The Field
Navy is tied for seventh in the country in fewest penalties per game,
averaging just 4.33 penalties per contest.

Fewest Penalties Per Game
1. Illinois 3.33
2. Michigan 3.67
Toledo 3.67
Air Force 3.67
5. UCLA 4.00
Wisconsin 4.00
7. Navy 4.33
North Carolina 4.33
Southern Methodist 4.33
Ohio State 4.33

The Red Zone
Navy has been good in the red zone on both offense and defense. The
Mids have scored on nine of their 13 trips (69.2 percent) inside the red
zone with all nine scores going for touchdowns. The offense has scored
touchdowns on seven of its last eight trips inside the Red Zone.
The defense has given up just six scores in the opponents' 10 trips (60
percent) with just three of those scores (30 percent) resulting in TDs.

Go For It
Navy is five for seven (71 percent) on fourth down conversions this year,
while the opposition is just three for eight (38 percent).

Passing Efficiently
Navy is ninth in the nation in passing efficiency with a rating of 169.55.
The Mids have completed 16 of their 23 pass attempts (69.6 percent) for
282 yards and one touchdown. Navy quarterbacks have thrown two picks.

Top Passing Efficiency Teams In The Country
1. Purdue 217.74
2. Minnesota 188.51
3. California 185.62
4. Utah 180.32
5. Oklahoma 178.76
6. Arkansas 178.45
7. South Carolina 177.12
8. Florida 177.12
9. Navy 169.55
10. Alabama 165.26

Overcoming Mistakes
Navy, Oklahoma, Wisconsin and Ohio State are the only four teams in
the country with a negative turnover ratio and a 3-0 record. The Mids are a
-.33 on the year, which is tied for 68th in the country.

In Paul We Trust
Navy football has struggled over the last 20 years, compiling an overall
record of 72-155 (.317). The Mids, however, have not struggled when Paul
Johnson has been calling the plays. Johnson has been at Navy for five of
those 20 years (two years as a coordinator and this is his third season as a
head coach) and in those five years the Mids are 27-24 (.509) and have
appeared in two bowl games. The Mids are also 13-5 (.722) over the last
two years. In the 15 years that Johnson hasn't been on the sidelines Navy is
45-131(.256).

Navy Looks To Defend Rushing Crown
The Mids led the nation in rushing in 2003, averaging 323.2 yards per game. It was just the second time in school history that Navy led the country in rushing. The only other time was in 1999 when the Mids averaged 292.2 yards per game.

Navy is ranked sixth in the nation in rushing after three games in 2004, averaging 310.3 yards per contest. Texas leads the country in rushing, averaging 386 yards per game.

The top-10 rushing teams in the country have a combined record of 24-2 (.923).

Leading Rushing Teams In The Country
1. Texas 386.00
2. Minnesota 359.33
3. California 339.00
4. Oklahoma State 333.67
5. West Virginia 311.00
6. Navy 310.33
7. Virginia 303.67
8. UCLA 296.00
9. Rice 284.00
10. Wake Forest 276.67

Pick Pockets
The Navy defense is tied with 13 other teams for 10th in the country for most passes intercepted with five. Michigan leads the nation in interceptions with nine. Sophomore safety Dujuan Price (Austin, Texas) leads the Mids with two.

QBs Over 100 Yards
Aaron Polanco (Sr./Wimberley, Texas) became the 13th quarterback in Navy history to rush for 100 or more yards in a game when he gashed Duke for 130 yards and a touchdown in Navy's 27-12 victory over the Blue Devils. Polanco became the first quarterback since Brian Madden in 2001 to rush for 100 yards in back-to-back games when he rushed for 143 yards and three touchdowns against Northeastern. Chris McCoy (1995-97) holds the Navy quarterback record with 15 100-yard games.

300 Rushing Yards The Magic Number
Navy is 9-2 over the last two years when rushing for 300 or more yards, while the Mids are 2-3 when they are under 300 yards.

Notes From The Tulsa Game
*Navy's offense scored on its opening possession for the first time since last
season's Central Michigan game (Nov. 22) when it scored on its first eight
possessions of the game.

*Navy passed for more yards on its opening possession (73 yards) than it
did in its last game (36 against Northeastern).

*Kicker Geoff Blumenfeld (Sr./Granite Bay, Calif.) is now 2-for-2
on two-point conversions in his career. Besides his two-point conversion to
Corey Dryden (Sr./Longwood, Fla.) against Tulsa, Blumenfeld hit
Amir Jenkins (Sr./Temple Hills, Md.) last year vs. Eastern Michigan
(9/20/03).

*Punter Eric Shuey's (Jr./Hacienda Heights, Calif.) first-career
punt traveled 38 yards.

*Freshman slot back Reggie Campbell (Sanford, Fla.) made his first
career catch in the first quarter, a 30-yard reception.

Eckel, Eckel, Eckel
Senior fullback Kyle Eckel's (Havertown, Pa.) hard-nosed running style has developed a cult following among the Brigade of Midshipmen as the student body chants his name in unison every time he touches the ball.

Eckel, who is an All-America candidate and ranked as the best NFL fullback prospect in the country by draftboardinsider, rushed for 100 yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries in Navy's 27-12 victory over Duke. It was Eckel's eighth-career 100-yard rushing day (seven in 2003 and once this year) and it was the fifth time in his career he has rushed for two touchdowns in a game.

Eckel had his first-career three touchdown day against Tulsa, as he rushed for 98 yards and three scores on 23 carries in Navy's 29-0 shutout of the Golden Hurricane.

Eckel was named the Philadelphia Sportswriters Most Valuable Player in 2003 for his 152-yard, two-touchdown performance against Army.

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 the Falcons.

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

Last 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 became 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 carried the ball 236 times in 2003 and lost yardage on just three of those carries, all of which were one-yard losses. He has not lost any yards in 2004 on his 64 carries.

Most 100-Yard Rushing Games In A Season
1. Napoleon McCalllum (1985) 8
Napoleon McCallum (1983) 8
Eddie Meyers (1981) 8
4. Kyle Eckel (2003) 7
Joe Gattuso Jr. (1977) 7

Most 100-Yard Rushing Games In A Career
1. Napoleon McCallum (1981-85) 19
2. Chris McCoy (1995-97) 15
3. Eddie Meyers (1978-81) 14
4. Cleveland Cooper 91972-74) 12
5. Kyle Eckel (2002-current) 9

Eckel On Career Rushing List
Senior fullback Kyle Eckel (Haverford, Pa.) moved past Craig Candeto into sixth place on Navy's career rushing list with his 23-carry, 98-yard performance against Tulsa. Eckel is just 162 yards behind Alton Grizzard (1987-90) for fifth place.

If Eckel can duplicate his junior campaign, he could become just the third player in school history to rush for over 3,000 yards in a career.

Navy Career Rushing Leaders
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. Kyle Eckel (2002-03) 2,012
7. Craig Candeto (2001-03) 1,949
8. Joe Gattuso Jr. (1975-77) 1,890
9. Brian Madden (1999, 2001) 1,802
10. Chuck Smith (1984-87) 1,744

Eckel Fifth In School History In Rushing Touchdowns
Senior fullback Kyle Eckel (Haverford, Pa.) has 19-career rushing touchdowns, which is the fifth most in school history. He needs just five more rushing touchdown to tie 1960 Heisman Trophy winner Joe Bellino for fourth on the list.

Navy Career Rushing Touchdowns
1. Chris McCoy (1995-97) 43
2. Craig Candeto (2001-03) 33
3. Napoleon McCallum (1981-85) 31
4. Joe Bellino (1958-60) 24
5. Kyle Eckel (2002-current) 19

Eckel Selected To Play In East-West Shrine Game
Senior fullback Kyle Eckel (Haverford, Pa.) has been invited to play in the prestigious East-West Shrine All-Star Game, which will take place Jan. 15 at 2 p.m. (EST) at SBC Park in San Francisco. The game will be televised nationally by ESPN.

Eckel is the 18th Navy player, and the fourth in four years, to be invited to the game in the 80-year history of the event.

Eckel Ranked As The Second Best Fullback In The Country By The Sporting News
Senior fullback Kyle Eckel (Haverford, Pa.) was ranked as the second-best fullback in the country by The Sporting News. Senior Zach Tuiasosopo of Washington was ranked first.

Eckel Named Top NFL Fullback Prospect And Preseason First-Team All-American By Draftboardinsiders.com
Senior fullback Kyle Eckel (Haverford, Pa.) has been named a preseason All-American and the top NFL fullback prospect by draftboardinsiders.com.

First-Team Preseason All-Americans
Offense
QB Jason White, Oklahoma Sr.
RB Darren Sproles, Kansas St. Sr.
FB Kyle Eckel, Navy Sr.
WR Crophonso Thorpe, FSU Sr.
WR Mark Clayton, Oklahoma Sr.
TE Heath Miller, UVA Sr.
OL Eric Winston, Miami Jr.
OL Alex Barron, Florida State Sr.
OL David Baas, Michigan Sr.
OL Jammal Brown, Oklahoma Sr.
C Ben Wilkerson, LSU Sr.

Defense
DE Dan Cody, Oklahoma Sr.
DE David Pollack, UGA Sr.
DT Shaun Cody, USC Sr.
DT Haloti Ngata, Oregon Soph.
LB Derrick Johnson, Texas Jr.
LB Kirk Morrison, SDSU Sr.
LB Ahmad Brooks, UVA Soph.
DB Corey Webster, LSU Sr.
DB Antrell Rolle, Miami Sr.
DB Jamaal Brimmer, UNLV Sr.
DB Donte Nicholson, Oklahoma Sr.

Eckel Nominated For Doak Walker Award The SMU Athletic Forum announced recently the names of the candidates for the 2004 Doak Walker Award, presented annually to the nation's top college running back.

The field of candidates includes Navy senior Kyle Eckel (Haverford, Pa.). Other candidates include Kansas State senior Darren Sproles, who was a finalist for the 2003 Doak Walker Award and led the nation in total rushing yards (1,915) last season; Texas senior Cedric Benson, who led the nation in scoring last year with 134 points and has 3,706 career rushing yards, the most of any returning back; Syracuse senior Walter Reyes, who has gained more than 1,100 yards in each of the past two seasons; and Memphis Junior DeAngelo Williams, who led the country in all-purpose yardage and compiled 10 consecutive 100-yard rushing games in 2003.

Also on the list is future Navy opponent Brian Leonard of Rutgers (11/20).

"Each new season of college football brings fans a fresh list of new 'stars' to watch. This year will be no different. As for the running back position...well, simply put this will be one of the more talented groups we've had the pleasure of following. This year's Doak Walker watch list is impressive. This year's winner will again exemplify the characteristics of Doak Walker. A tough and talented runner for sure, but just as important as the yards gained on the field, Doak was a model citizen and leader in the classroom, too. Good luck to the candidates," said Craig James, SMU alumnus and member of the Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee.

The SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors will select the semifinalists on November 15, and the Doak Walker Award National Selection Committee will vote on the winner in late November. The National Selection Committee consists of former NFL All-Pro and college All-America running backs, media members and selected special representatives.

The recipient of the 2004 Doak Walker Award will be announced live on ESPN along with other NCFAA member awards on The Home Depot College Football Awards on Thursday, Dec. 9. The Doak Walker Award Presentation Banquet will be held at The Fairmont Hotel in Dallas, Texas, on Wednesday, February 15, 2005.

Former Michigan running back Chris Perry, currently with the Cincinnati Bengals, won the 2003 Doak Walker Award.

The award, which is celebrating its 15th year, is named for SMU's three-time All-American running back Doak Walker. It is the only major collegiate award that requires all candidates to be in good academic standing and on schedule to graduate within one year of other students of the same classification. Sponsors of the Forum include PricewaterhouseCoopers, American Airlines, The Dallas Morning News, Guaranty Bank, JPMorgan Chase and State Farm Bank(r).

Roberts Closing In On School First
Senior slot back Eric Roberts (Miami, Fla.) is closing in on the the 1,000-yard mark for career rushing and receiving yards. He has 1,112 yards rushing and 951 yards receiving.

Roberts needs just 49 yards receiving this season to become the first player in school history to gain more than 1,000-career yards rushing and receiving. Roberts will also become just the 34th player in NCAA history to accomplish this feat and just the second active player, joining Texas Tech's Taurean Henderson.

Other notable players to achieve 1,000-1,000 include Steve Broussard of Washington State, Quentin Griffin of Oklahoma, Dalton Hilliard of LSU, Vance Johnson of Arizona, Terry Kirby of Virginia, Eric Metcalf of Texas, Glynn Milburn of Oklahoma and Stanford, Darrin Nelson of Stanford, Errict Rhett of Florida and Hines Ward of Georgia.

Eric The Great
Slot back Eric Roberts (Miami, Fla.) has made big play after big play in his career. Roberts scored five touchdowns in 2003 of 40 yards or more, including two against Central Michigan when he recorded a 45-yard touchdown run and an 86-yard touchdown reception.

His 86-yard touchdown reception off a pass thrown by Craig Candeto 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 an 87-yard pass 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 finished 2003 with five touchdown catches on the year, the fifth most in school history. His seven-career touchdown catches are the fifth most in school history.

After not getting the ball much the first two games in 2004, Roberts had a breakout game against Tulsa, rushing for 89 yards and a touchdown on seven carries and catching one pass for 27 yards.

Roberts has had six-career multi-touchdown days, including four in 2003.

Touchdown Catches In A Career
1. Phil McConkey (1975-78) 13
Rob Taylor (1965-67) 13
3. Chris Weiler (1981-84) 8
Ron Beagle (1953-55) 8
5. Eric Roberts (2002-current) 7

Roberts Chasing Former Teammate For Career Rushing Yards Per Attempt Record
Senior slot back Eric Roberts (Miami, Fla.) is chasing former teammate Tony Lane for the school record for career yards per carry (minimum 100 attempts).

Lane averaged 8.9 yards per carry in his career, rushing for 1,288 yards on 144 carries.

Roberts is averaging 8.7 yards per carry in his career, rushing for 1,211 yards on 140 carries.

Career Rushing Yards Per Attempt
(minimum 100 attempts)
1. Tony Lane (2001-03) 8.9
2. Eric Roberts (2002-current) 8.7
3. Bob Craig (1952-54) 5.7
4. Joe Gattuso (1952-54) 5.5
5. Ned Oldham (1955-57) 5.2

Roberts Holds Career Record For Yards Per Reception; Appears Twice On Single-Season List
Eric Roberts (Sr./Miami, Fla.) is the school record holder for yards per reception in a career and stands second and fourth in yards per reception in a season.

Roberts is averaging 24.4 yards per catch in his career, catching 39 passes for 951 yards. The previous record was 19.3 yards per reception by Jim Stewart (1960-62)
In 2003, Roberts had 20 catches for 493 yards (24.6 average), many of them spectacular, and five touchdowns. The 24.6 average is the fourth-best single-season average in school history.

In 2002, Roberts averaged 25.2 yards per catch, the second-best single-season average in school history.

Roberts is also trying to become just the second player in school history to lead the team in receiving thre consecutive years. Ron Beagle (1953-55) is the only player to accomplish that feat.

Career Yards Per Reception
1. Eric Roberts (2002-03) 24.4
2. Jim Stewart (1960-62) 19.3
3. Matt Scornavacchi (1993-95) 19.2
4. Phil McConkey (1975-78) 19.1


Single-Season Yards Per Reception
1. Ryan Read (1998) 25.5
2. Eric Roberts (2002) 25.2
3. Phil McConkey (1978) 24.8
4. Eric Roberts (2003) 24.6
5. Pat McGrew (1997) 22.6

Backfield Ranked 16th Best In The Country
The Navy backfield (fullbacks and slot backs) has been ranked the 16th- best backfield in the nation by Phil Steele's College Football Preview Magazine.

TOP 20 BACKFIELDS IN THE COUNTRY
1. Kansas State
2. USC
3. LSU
4. Auburn
5. Texas
6. Louisville
7. NC State
8. Minnesota
9. Syracuse
10. Memphis
11. Miami (Fla.)
12. Florida State
13. Virginia
14. Tennessee
15. Wisconsin
16. Navy
17. Florida
18. South Carolina
19. Georgia
20. Maryland


Smith Ranked As The Sixth-Best Free Safety In The Country By The Sporting News
Senior free safety Josh Smith (Attica, Ind.) has been ranked as the sixth-best free safety in the country by The Sporting News. Junior Josh Bullocks of Nebraska was ranked first.

Despite missing three games because of injury in 2003, Smith still led the team in tackles for the second year in a row with 108 and also added a team-high tying four interceptions.

If Smith leads the team in tackles in 2004 (he is currently tied for second with 24, six behind first place Lane Jackson), he will become the first Navy player since Andy Ponseigo (1981-83) to lead Navy in tackles three-consecutive years.

Smith Selected For Gridiron Classic
Senior free safety Josh Smith (Attica, Ind.) has been selected for the Villages Gridiron Classic All-Star game, which will take place Saturday, Jan. 31 in The Villages, Fla. The game will be televised nationally by ESPN.

Smith, ranked as the sixth-best free safety in the country by The Sporting News, is trying to become the first Navy player since Andy Ponseigo (1981-83) to lead Navy in tackles three straight years. Smith recorded eight tackles in Navy's season opening 27-12 victory over Duke.

Smith is the fourth Navy player to participate in the Gridiron Classic all-star game in its six year existence. Center Terrence Anderson (1999), free safety Chris Lepore (2000) and punter John Skaggs (2003) have also participated.