No opponent has consistently defended Navy better than Air Force.
Take away the 2019 contest when Navy had a special weapon in quarterback Malcolm Perry and the numbers are not pretty. The Mids have averaged 6.6 points and 170.8 total yards in their last five losses to the Falcons.
Air Force has primarily stymied Navy by stuffing the ground game in those contests, limiting the Mids to 78.2 rushing yards.
A major reason why has been the Falcons’ familiarity with the triple-option.
Navy, however, no longer runs an exclusively triple-option offense. First-year offensive coordinator Drew Cronic has installed his hybrid Wing-T attack that incorporates triple-option and run-pass option elements.
Which begs the question: Will the Wing-T be a game changer in service academy contests? Coach Brian Newberry certainly hopes so since part of the reason he hired Cronic was because he has developed such a unique offense that is foreign to every opponent on Navy’s schedule.
“Hopefully, we’re more versatile and a little harder to prepare for, harder to defend,” Cronic said this week.
Cronic has studied film of Navy’s recent games against Air Force and come away impressed by the rival’s defense. Last season, the Midshipmen managed only 124 total yards and 22 rushing yards in a 17-6 loss to the Falcons. Things were even worse in 2021 when the Mids struggled to even pick up a first down versus the Falcons.
“They’re really good on defense. Their guys play really sound football and schematically they present a lot of problems because they’re aggressive and very multiple,” Cronic said. “I’ve watched a lot of great defensive film of Air Force. Believe me, it’s got my attention.”
However, Air Force is replacing nine of 11 defensive starters from last year.
It’s been smooth sailing so far this season for Navy’s new offense. The Midshipmen rank among the national leaders with averages of 46 points and 466 total yards per game.
Count Air Force coach Troy Calhoun among those that have been impressed with Cronic’s “millennial version” of Wing-T offense, directed by quarterback Blake Horvath.
“They’re very good offensively. The quarterback has played exceptional football, both as a ball carrier and a passer,” Calhoun said this week. “The number of different guys that have been involved is impressive. That’s a really good group. Boy, they’ve been good.”
While Navy still runs plenty of triple-option plays, Calhoun acknowledged the wide variety of schemes that are part of the Wing-T. He mentioned the jet sweeps, bubble screens and run-pass option plays the Mids have already shown.
“There are just a few more things you’re going to see with this offense,” Calhoun said. “What you see a little bit more are the variations of the run plays; I think the other part is that there are some additional perimeter throws.”
In years past, Air Force has loaded up to stop the run and dared Navy to throw the ball. That may no longer be a wise strategy since the Midshipmen have proven they possess a very efficient passing game this season. Horvath has completed 30 of 44 passes for 637 yards and seven touchdowns with Calhoun marveling at his ability to throw on time and on target.
“I’ve been impressed with the anticipation [Horvath] has as a passer. Nearly every ball is released on one hitch. He’s trusting the delivery and letting the ball go,” Calhoun said, noting that’s a big reason why Navy has only allowed three sacks this season.
Cronic uses multiple formations and lots of motion in hopes of confusing defenders and getting them looking in the wrong spots. That is one area in which the Air Force defense will have an advantage over other Navy opponents. Throughout the Calhoun era, the Falcons have also used considerable “window dressing” to impact the eye discipline of defenders.
“They run some similar things to what we do so they have a greater understanding of our offense,” Cronic acknowledged. “What does that look like for us? How do we still be good at what we’ve been good at, but have the right wrinkles to put in to give our kids a good opportunity?”
Cronic knows at some point this season an opposing defense is going to have some answers for his offense. He is curious to see how the Mids react when gaining yardage becomes more difficult.
“There’s going to be some hard stuff come up, there are going to be some challenges. There is going to be adversity coming and I’m really curious to see how we handle it,” Cronic said.
Cronic has been to Colorado to go snow skiing but has never stepped foot on the Air Force campus or seen Falcon Stadium. This will be a new experience for Cronic, who makes his service academy debut knowing the effectiveness of the offense will go a long way toward determining whether Navy wins the first leg of the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy series.
“I understand that a CIC game is one notch higher. You can feel that, for sure,” he said. “We understand the challenge that’s there. We understand how service academy football is different.”
Meanwhile, Calhoun recognizes the important of containing Navy’s prolific offense considering the Air Force offense, which is averaging just 12.5 points, has not shown it is capable of winning a shootout.
“The one thing that is very evident is the number of points they’ve scored so far this season,” Calhoun said. “We’ve got to do everything we can to be assignment-sound, get off blocks and tackle well.”