[Baltimore Sun] Navy football’s first test as a ranked team? Biff Poggi’s up-and-coming Charlotte.
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Charlotte and Navy had two of the worst offenses in college football last season. The 49ers and Midshipmen ranked 125th and 126th, respectively, out of 133 Football Bowl Subdivision schools in scoring.
What a difference a year makes.
Navy currently ranks fifth nationally in scoring offense (43.5 points), 17th in total offense (465.4 yards), and second in rushing offense (295.6 yards) and yards per completion (19.7 yards).
Charlotte hasn’t made as dramatic an improvement offensively as Navy but is much better on that side of the ball in the second year under Biff Poggi, the former coach at Gilman and St. Frances. The 49ers are averaging 24 points and 351.3 yards per game but recently showed their explosive capability.
Freshman quarterback Deshawn Purdie (Milford Mill) and redshirt junior Hahsaun Wilson led the way as Charlotte rolled up 517 yards in routing East Carolina, 55-24, on Oct. 5.
Last season, Charlotte and Navy engaged in what some would describe as a defensive struggle. In truth, it was more of an offensive struggle as neither team could effectively move the ball. They managed only 265 total yards apiece, and there were a combined 20 punts in the contest, a 14-0 Navy win last Oct. 14.
Navy starting quarterback Tai Lavatai aggravated an injury on the first possession and was replaced by freshman Braxton Woodson, who proved not ready for prime time. He was tentative and uncertain directing the triple-option offense and completed just 5 of 14 passes for 85 yards.
Navy won with the outcome being determined by two big plays. Woodson made a throw that found Eli Heidenreich in stride, and the slotback raced untouched into the end zone to complete a 69-yard catch and run early in the third quarter.
Fullback Alex Tecza then broke loose for a 62-yard scoring run early in the fourth quarter. Inside linebacker Will Harbour recorded 11 tackles to spearhead a powerful defensive effort as the Mids pitched the shutout.
Saturday’s contest could be a shootout in their second meeting and first at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.
“We’re playing a really good Charlotte team that is 2-0 in the league and has played its best football over the last six quarters,” Navy coach Brian Newberry said Monday. “I was really impressed with what I’ve seen, especially the last outing against East Carolina. They’re starting to hit on all cylinders, so we have a huge challenge this weekend.”
Biff Poggi
Courtesy of Charlotte Athletics
Former Gilman and St. Frances coach Biff Poggi has led Charlotte to a 2-0 start in American Athletic Conference play. (Charlotte Athletics/Courtesy)
Charlotte’s offensive breakout has coincided with Purdie taking over as quarterback. The Baltimore native was inserted into the lineup to start the second half against Rice and directed a dramatic comeback as Charlotte (3-3, 2-0 AAC) scored three touchdowns in a 21-20 come-from-behind victory. Purdie threw two touchdown passes to jump-start the rally.
Purdie started against East Carolina and led a balanced offense that shredded a normally stout East Carolina defense. Wilson ran for 167 yards and three touchdowns as the 49ers gouged the Pirates on the ground. Cartevious Norton (88 yards) was also a factor as Charlotte rushed for 311 yards and six touchdowns.
“Going on the road and coming from behind to beat Rice showed the character of that team,” Newberry said. “What they did versus East Carolina … Charlotte really got after them and scored a bunch of points. It just looks like things are clicking for them [offensively] right now. They were able to run the ball very effectively in the last game.”
Purdie was a second-team All-Metro selection by The Baltimore Sun last fall after leading Milford Mill to a 13-0 record and the Class 2A state championship. He was rated a three-star prospect and chose Charlotte over scholarship offers from James Madison and Maryland.
Redshirt sophomore Max Brown began the season as the starting quarterback but suffered a thumb injury during a 52-14 loss to unbeaten Indiana. Poggi initially turned to backup Trexler Ivey, but he struggled during the first half against Rice.
Newberry has been impressed by what he’s seen out of Purdie over the past six quarters.
“He’s certainly not playing like a freshman. He came in for the second half [against Rice] and really ignited their offense,” Newberry said. “He’s really polished for a freshman and takes what the defense gives him. They’re functioning at a really efficient and high level with him at quarterback. He’s playing really well and is a big reason for their success.”
Navy (5-0, 3-0) broke into the Associated Press Top 25 Poll on Sunday, debuting at No. 25. It marks the first time since the end of the 2019 season the Midshipmen have been ranked. Newberry was pleased to have the program in the national conversation but noted it did not mean much five games into the season.
Navy coach Brian Newberry said he doesn’t “put a whole lot of stock” into being ranked. (David Zalubowski/AP)
“The ranking is nice but I don’t put a whole lot of stock in that. I think it’s recognition of our players and what they’ve done up to this point,” he said. “We talk about being relevant in the landscape of college football, so that’s great. That has nothing to do with this game.”
Earlier this season, Navy notched a signature win when it upset Memphis, the preseason favorite in the AAC which was ranked No. 23 at the time. Newberry said he isn’t concerned about the target that being ranked puts on their back.
“I think the one thing I’ve been most impressed with our football team has been their ability to keep the blinders on and keep working,” he said. “Nothing’s changed from the first week until now as far as the way we prepare and go about our business. We talk all the time about being 1-0 and our kids have bought into that. Every week we’re fighting and clawing and scratching for our lives.”
Navy can become bowl-eligible for the first time since 2019 with a victory. The Midshipmen are also seeking to start a season 6-0 for the first time since 1979 and only the seventh time in program history.
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“To be bowl-eligible is not necessarily one of our goals. To win the conference and the [Commander-in-Chief’s] Trophy — those are our big goals. Obviously, if you accomplish that then you’re going to play in a bowl game,” Newberry said. “It would be big. We haven’t done that since 2019; It’s a great reward for your players and the program, so it would be a big deal.”
Coming off an emotional and dominant defeat of service academy rival Air Force and with the annual matchup with 12th-ranked Notre Dame looming the following Saturday in Landover, this could potentially set up as a trap game for Navy. Newberry did not want to entertain such talk.
“Not at all. Our players know how important this game is and the kind of football team we’re about to play,” he said. “We’re going to be in a dogfight and will have to play really well to win this game. It’s not a trap game for us by any stretch.”
Have a news tip? Contact Bill Wagner at bwagner@capgaznews.com, 443-534-0102 and x.com/@BWagner_CapGaz.
Homecoming
Charlotte at No. 25 Navy
Saturday, 3:30 p.m.
TV: CBS Sports Network
Radio: 1430 AM
Line: Navy by 17 1/2
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