EAST HARTFORD, Conn. – Navy came to town with the nation's No. 1 rushing attack while Connecticut countered with the country's fifth-ranked run defense. It figured to be a chess match and it was.
Offensive coordinator Ivin Jasper was fairly certain the Huskies would try to use their pair of massive defensive tackles to take away the fullback and force the Midshipmen onto the perimeter.
So it was a real positive that Navy was able to establish the fullback on its first possession of the game. Starter Chris Swain picked up 6 yards on the very first play from scrimmage and backup Quentin Ezell added a 7-yard run a few players later.