One thing from the Navy game that was surprising was how many touches LaRod Stephens-Howling and Conredge Collins got. Heck, in scrub time Henry Hynoski and Shariff Harris actually got touches. Well, part of the reason was that McCoy needed breaks at times because he was under-the-weather.
The man they call “Shady” overpowered the Midshipmen, rolling to a season-high 156 yards and three touchdowns on just 18 carries.
All but 28 of his yards came in the first half. Dealing with a chest cold, he only touched the ball four times in the second half and sat out the entire fourth quarter.
“I couldn’t breathe tonight,” he said. “I was gasping for air. It sucks because I really couldn’t get in there too much.”
His performance left an impression on those who cover Navy.
When Texas Christian University visited Navy back in 2000, Navy fans got to witness a future NFL star in LaDainian Tomlinson.
The Navy defense kept Tomlinson from his usual gaudy numbers, although he did manage 121 yards and a touchdown. However, the Mids had no such luck yesterday against what appears to be another future NFL star in Pitt’s LeSean McCoy.
Navy’s coach was stood up to praise McCoy after the game.
McCoy was basically unstoppable, turning even 2-yard runs into tackling adventures for the Midshipmen. He would likely have had many more yards and touchdowns had Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt not removed him in the third quarter.
“That guy is good,” said Niumatalolo, who compared McCoy’s first visit to Annapolis to when LaDainian Tomlinson came with Texas Christian in 2000. “He’s going to be playing on Sundays. Don’t be surprised to see him in Honolulu [in the Pro Bowl] in a few years.”
And it’s a safe bet that McCoy will be likely be the Big East Offensive Player of the Week once more. That is, unless the BE decides to spread it around. The other candidates would be Louisville RB Victor Anderson — 19 carries, 161 yards and 1 TD; or USF’s QB Matt Grothe — 19-26, 248 yards, 3 TDs plus 72 rushing yards and a rushing TD.
Of course Louisville was playing Middle Tennessee St. and USF had Syracuse. I’d like to think that the competition played would tilt it towards McCoy.
The AP has us 17th, and USF, who we beat somewhat convincingly, 14th. As we know, AP doesn’t have anything to do with the BCS.
In the coaches poll (which is 1/3) of the BCS formula, we’re 20th and USF’s 14th.
But, in the BCS rankings, we’re still 17th but USF is only 16th.
Why do we make up so much ground when the computers are factored in? Because the computers are more unbiased and have us ranked 15th and South Florida down at 23rd.
Look, I know none of this is overly important, but the initial rankings just bugged me because someone we beat and have a nearly identical overall record than was a few spots ahead of us.
So, at least I found SOME justice in the BCS rankings. Computers know what I’ve known all season: USF is a nice story, but people who think they’re the next Miami or something overrate the crap out of them.
Now, I’m pretty sure the Gators would probably house us if we played, but they did lose a game AT HOME to a below average Ole Miss team.
Ok, I’m done worrying about rankings (at least until next Sunday haha)
I’m gonna go watch Sunday Night Football or baseball, or maybe take a nap.
We were there (Navy fans from NY) and you guys rocked our own stadium.
Now I have to admit that Navy fans seem to be more interested in anything but their games and are as rabid as an opera fan.
But you guys were loud and proud and nice to be around.
We had Rutgers a few times and it was an invasion of “crud” for the most part.
You will hopefully trample them this week too and get the ranking you deserve-you are better than SF and the best team in the BE this year.
Good Luck
It was an awesome atmosphere down there for the game. Pitt fans showed up big time- I don’t know numbers but it had to be way, way above 5,000. There were Pitt fans everywhere you looked. Annapolis is an awesome place to catch a road game. It’s hard to beat the combination of the Naval Academy/historical atmosphere and post-game scene with all the downtown bars & restaurants on the water.
Hopefully we’ll see the same Pitt team on the field this Saturday. Hail to PITT