Navy came into the 2008 season hoping its defense could catch up with its offense.
After closing the regular season Saturday with a 34-0 victory over Army at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, the Midshipmen apparently have come full circle - their offense has finally caught up with the team's much-improved defense.
Navy (8-4) was dominant on both sides of the ball.
The defense held the Black Knights to 154 yards of offense and secured its second straight shutout, the first time that has happened since 1986. It was also the first shutout against Army (3-9) since 1978.
The offense gained 430 yards, with 368 coming on the ground. It was the most yards rushing for the Midshipmen since they had 404 on Oct. 25 against Southern Methodist and the most overall yards since they had 602 against Towson in the season opener.
First-year head coach Ken Niumatalolo said the two units seemed to be in perfect sync all afternoon.
"Our defense did a great job in getting them three-and-out, and we did a great job of sustaining the ball," Niumatalolo said in the coach's dressing room after the game. "That was the blueprint for how we're looking to play. Eat the clock, move, score and our defense did a great job of getting them off the field."
It was an interesting dynamic to watch - an offense that seemed to run more efficiently with the return of senior quarterback Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada after missing him for more than a month with a hamstring injury and a defense that didn't appear to miss three key members of the secondary.
Navy cornerback Rashawn King missed the game after the death of his father last week, cornerback Ketric Buffin sat out with a foot injury and safety Emmett Merchant left the game early with a concussion.
Asked how tough it was for his defense to play without so many key members, coordinator Buddy Green said: "It's fun. It's a tribute to the guys who wear the uniform. They made big plays."
From defensive ends Nate Frazier and Jabaree Tuani stopping Army quarterback Chip Bowden for a 2-yard loss on fourth-and-three from Navy's 33 on the Black Knights' second possession of the game to linebacker Ram Vela's 68-yard interception return for a touchdown in the final minute, the Navy defense played a near-perfect game.
Roverback Jeff Deliz said the team's defensive improvement this season has had to do with attitude.
