Last season, Navy’s patented triple-option offense torched Cincinnati to the tune of 622 yards, 569 of which came on the ground.
This season, the Midshipmen managed only 171 yards (124 rushing) while being shut out by the Bearcats.
Did Cincinnati head coach Luke Fickell and staff figure out how to stop the unique attack over the course of one offseason? Or is Navy simply not running the option as effectively as years past?
It’s probably a little of the former and a lot more of the latter.
Everyone involved with Navy football knew it was inevitable that teams in the American Athletic Conference, especially those in the West Division, would gain a better understanding of the triple-option.