Navy, Arkansas State Pit Contrasting Offense
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- Navy and Arkansas State have never met on the football field, and the two teams could be in for a bit of a culture shock when their contrasting offenses face off.
Arkansas State employs a wide-open, up-tempo passing attack that is operated without a huddle and features multiple formations and multiple shifts. The Red Wolves have used 20 different trick plays this season and head coach Steve Roberts said opponents can expect to see at least a couple each game.
"They give you every look imaginable. They have about 100 different formations. They make it tough on you to get lined up properly," Navy defensive coordinator Buddy Green said.
Meanwhile, Arkansas State's defense has never seen anything like Navy's triple-option offense.
The Midshipmen are the nation's fifth-ranked rushing team with 302.7 yards per game thanks to a read-based attack that spreads the ball among the quarterback, fullback and slotbacks.
"It's a matter of playing assignment football defensively, but not just getting locked in on assignment so much that you forget basic defensive principles, which is playing fast, playing physical and tackling well," Roberts said.
Arkansas State is averaging 31 points and 439 yards per game with an offense that could accurately be described as unconventional. The Red Wolves will show a slew of different looks over the course of a game and utilize all sorts of motion to further confuse the defense.
Arkansas State will use anywhere from two- to five-receiver sets, send out one to three tight ends, line up with two running backs or go with an empty backfield.
"You could literally spend days and weeks trying to get ready for this team. That's how many different formations and plays they have," Green said. "They have trick plays out of every formation."
Quarterback Ryan Aplin is enjoying a tremendous first season as the starter, completing 61 percent of passes (222-361) for 2,635 yards and 18 touchdowns. The 6-foot-1, 205-pound sophomore has already set the single-season school records for completions, touchdown passes and total offense (3,036 yards).
Navy's pass defense, meanwhile, has struggled all season and gave up more than 800 yards in the last two games against East Carolina and Central Michigan.
For Navy, quarterback Ricky Dobbs will be back to direct the option after sitting out last Saturdays' game against Central Michigan due to a slight concussion. Dobbs, who leads the team with 10 touchdowns and is the second-leading rusher with 652 yards, can conclude his career 7-1 as a starter at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium by leading Navy to victory on Senior Day.
"This is my last time at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. It was tough that I couldn't play last week. So the last time I played at home we lost to Duke," Dobbs said. "It's not the way I would want to end. This is a big day, very emotional for all of us seniors. We want to go out with a win."
