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Navy offensive line has been the catalyst for high-powered Wing-T attack

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The camaraderie among members of the Navy offensive line was on display in the lobby of the team hotel in Denver the day before the Air Force game.

Kent Purvis had T-shirts printed up commemorating his son Ben’s big block against Alabama-Birmingham and was handing them out to all the linemen. Fellow starters Connor McMahon, Brent Self and Javan Bouton, along with backup Hoke Smith, all stopped by to pick up their shirt that read: “The Block. Number 64.”

Their brotherhood was forged during many steamy summer days at the Naval Academy when the offensive linemen got together to lift weights, watch film or work on their steps out on the practice field. It has created a chemistry and cohesion that has been very evident this season as the offensive line has paved the way for Navy’s new Wing-T offense to amass some impressive numbers through five games. Navy ranks fourth nationally in scoring offense with 43.6 points per game, second in rushing offense with 295.6 yards per game and No. 17 in total offense (465.4 yards).

None of those eye-popping statistics would be possible if not for an offensive line that has dominated at the point of attack, opening huge holes in the running game and protecting quarterback Blake Horvath on passing plays.

No. 25 Navy is 5-0 for the first time since 2017 and ranked in the Associated Press poll for the first time since 2019 and the five men that line up with their hands on the turf — McMahon (left tackle), Purvis (left guard), Self (center), Bouton (right tackle) and Cam Nichols (right guard) — are a big reason why.

“I’m extremely proud of those guys because they are totally bought into what we’re doing. They get coached hard and I don’t think they’re ever satisfied even though we’re having success,” Navy offensive line coach Jay Guillermo said. “I don’t know if I’ve ever been more proud of an offensive line group because these kids are just playing so hard.”

It is a very tight-knit unit that spends considerable time together off the field. Self said the offensive linemen hang out on weekends during the offseason, sharing meals and watching sports on television.

“I think this is the closest we’ve ever been along the offensive line during my time here. We all love each other and are best friends,” McMahon said. “I think, as a group, we have a really strong connection on and off the field. We have extreme trust in each other and I think that’s the main reason we’re blocking so well.”

McMahon, Purvis, Self and Bouton are returning starters from last year’s much-maligned line. Navy ranked at the bottom of the Football Bowl Subdivision standings in average points and total yards per game.

Self said the offensive line did not come into this season seeking to redeem itself.

“I think it was more about proving ourselves to our teammates. Last season, we performed below the standard so we wanted to show that we could uphold our end of the deal and operate at a high level,” Self said. “I think it just means a lot more to all of us this season. There has definitely been a lot of determination to be the engine that makes this offense go.”

To get to that point, the offensive line had to learn a new offense while working with a first-year position coach. Cronic replaced the triple-option with his “hybrid” Wing-T attack that features a different blocking style and schemes. He brought in Guillermo to teach the Navy linemen how to execute the blocking assignments.

Navy Midshipmen running back Brandon Chatman (24), left, celebrates his touchdown run with teammates during the first half against Memphis. (Terrance Williams/Freelance)
Navy Midshipmen running back Brandon Chatman (24), left, celebrates his touchdown run with teammates during the first half against Memphis. (Terrance Williams/Freelance)

“It’s certainly been a challenge because we’re doing a lot of different things offensively. It’s always technique over scheme when it comes to offensive line play, so it’s about doing the same things over and over again,” Guillermo said. “I think Coach Cronic has done a good job of blending things so the linemen don’t have to think and can just go play. There is some simplicity to some of the blocking schemes that helps.”

Guillermo, who was the starting center on Clemson’s 2018 national championship team, is a fiery type who really gets after the offensive linemen. He may yell and scream at players on the field, but shows plenty of love and care for them off the field.

McMahon, who was selected as position captain by the coaching staff, gives Guillermo and fellow offensive line coach Tommy Laurendine a lot of credit for the fact the unit is operating at such a high level, both of whom have been “hyper focused on the small details.”

“When you have someone who cares so much about you and pours everything he has into you it makes you want to go out there and leave it all on the field,” Self said of the respect the entire unit has for Guillermo.

Cronic set a goal of creating eight explosive plays per game and so far Navy has met or exceeded that figure. The Midshipmen rank sixth nationally with 12 plays of 20 yards or more, second with eight plays of 50 yards or more, second with six plays of 60 yards or more and third with three plays of 70 yards or more.

Obviously, much of the credit goes to dynamic playmakers such as Horvath, fullbacks Daba Fofana and Alex Tecza, snipes Eli Heidenreich and Brandon Chatman along with wide receiver Nathan Kent.

“Our guys are doing a great job, but I think the whole offensive operation is working really well. It’s all 11 men on the field doing their jobs,” Guillermo said. “Our unit has confidence that all these playmakers are going to make things happen if we just give them a chance.”

A familiar sight this season has been watching Navy offensive linemen race the entire length of the field trying to escort those skill position players into the end zone, then celebrating touchdowns.

“We know every play depends on us and that if we get our job up front done correctly that the playmakers will make good things happen,” Bouton said. “It’s been great to be able to dominate the line of scrimmage and watch all these skill position guys make explosive play after explosive play. We know if we make the blocks they’re going to take it to the house because we have speed at every position.”

Navy’s offensive line suffered a significant setback in the second game against Temple as starting right tackle Trey Cummings suffered a season-ending injury. That forced Nichols, a talented but inexperienced sophomore, to step up.

Guillermo has put great effort into accelerating the development of Nichols, who played pretty well in his first career start against Memphis and has gotten better every week since.

“That kid takes more heat in practice than anyone else because I have really been on his tail,” Guillermo said. “I’m incredibly proud of Cam and how quickly he has come along. He just comes to work every day and does whatever we ask.”

Navy quarterback Blake Horvath lines up behind the first team offensive line during a practice at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff photo)
Navy quarterback Blake Horvath lines up behind the first team offensive line during a practice at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff photo)

There have been a lot of highlight reel blocks so far this season, but none better than the one Purvis delivered during a bubble screen against Alabama-Birmingham. The 6-foot-3, 300-pound junior completely destroyed a defensive back to spring Heidenreich for a 74-yard touchdown. It was a tremendous hustle play as Purvis had to quickly cover about 10 yards to get into position.

Defensive coordinator P.J. Volker was so impressed he presented Purvis with the “hit stick” that is given to the Navy player involved with the most physical play of the game. It is a baseball bat that weekly winners get to autograph and is usually reserved for a defensive player.

“That’s a dream block right there,” Self said. “We first saw it on ESPN as soon as we got into the locker room after the game and it was the talk on the plane coming home. It was pretty awesome, for sure.”

Heidenreich has not been surprised to see the offensive line dominate during games because he knows the effort they put in Monday through Friday.

“I’ve been extremely impressed with the offensive line. This season, they have taken it to another level as far as their preparation. They practice really hard and it translates well into games,” he said. “You’ve got five dudes up front that are tough, gritty and physical, but at the same time are really mobile and can block downfield.”

Bouton said the Navy offensive line takes great pride in playing harder than the defenders it is going against. They are tenacious and relentless while playing from snap to whistle.

“We know that’s our edge. We might not be the biggest or the strongest, but if we play hard at all times we will wear people out and that’s what we’ve been doing these first five games,” he said.

Have a news tip? Contact Bill Wagner at bwagner@capgaznews.com, 443-534-0102 and x.com/@BWagner_CapGaz.


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