Delaware Prepares For Navy's Triple-Option Attack
By Matt Leon
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Delaware is off to a fast start under new head coach Dave Brock.
The Blue Hens sit at 2-0 after last weekend's win over Delaware State and now they focus on an FBS opponent. On Saturday they will travel to Annapolis, Maryland, to battle Navy.
The Blue Hens beat the Hornets on Saturday 42-21, getting out to a 35-7 halftime lead and never looking back.
"The game certainly started off and progressed kind of the way we wanted it in the first half," Brock tells KYW Newsradio. "We were able to make a couple plays and hold them down. Offensively, we really didn't have any idea what they were going to do so I thought we did a good job defensively in the beginning of the game and the first half of holding them to seven points. Offensively, we got it clicking it after a little bit of a self-inflicted problem on our first drive. We were able to return a punt for a touchdown and any time you can do that, it will be hard to lose. So I was excited. To get 35 points and do a good job and be efficient offensively and defensively in the first half was very good."
Dave Brock Interview
Quarterback Trent Hurley was outstanding against Delaware State, throwing for 328 yards and four touchdowns in the win.
Now the Blue hens are stepping up a level to face Navy, a team that rushed for 444 yards in a season-opening win over Indiana last weekend. A total like that is nothing unusual for the Midshipmen who utilize a triple-option attack on offense.
"They've got terrific players that run their system," Brock says. "I mean their quarterback, Keenan Reynolds, is a phenomenal player. Watching him in the Indiana game, he's a very, very dynamic football player and certainly well, well schooled in what they do."
When it comes to defending the triple-option, Brock says it starts with defenders being where they are supposed to be and doing the job they are suppose to do.
"That's the reality of it," Brock says. "You are really forced to play a style of defense that you don't play every week. The players have to be very, very disciplined and understand where they've been , who they have to tackle and really as strange as it sounds, you really have to put every single potential person on the ground. If you start looking for the ball, you're going to be in trouble, because you won't find it. You'll think it's inside and the ball will be pitched and you really have to be very, very disciplined and make sure that you play your responsibility."
Delaware and Navy last met back on September 3rd, 2011. Navy took a 40-17 decision in that one.
Saturday's Delaware/Navy game will kick-off at 3:30pm.
You can follow Matt on Twitter @mattleonkyw.
