2021 Navy Midshipmen football team

The 2021 Navy Midshipmen football team represented the United States Naval Academy as a member of the American Athletic Conference (AAC) in the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Midshipmen were led by 14th-year head coach Ken Niumatalolo and played their home games at Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.

2021 Navy Midshipmen football
ConferenceAmerican Athletic Conference
Record4–8 (3–5 AAC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorIvin Jasper (14th season)
Offensive schemeTriple option
Defensive coordinatorBrian Newberry (3rd season)
Base defense4–2–5
Home stadiumNavy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium
Seasons
← 2020
2022 →
2021 American Athletic Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 4 Cincinnati y$^   8 0     13 1  
No. 17 Houston y   8 0     12 2  
UCF   5 3     9 4  
East Carolina   5 3     7 5  
Tulsa   5 3     7 6  
SMU   4 4     8 4  
Memphis   3 5     6 6  
Navy   3 5     4 8  
Tulane   1 7     2 10  
South Florida   1 7     2 10  
Temple   1 7     3 9  
Championship: Cincinnati 35, Houston 20
  • ^ – College Football Playoff participant
  • $ – Conference champion
  • y – Championship game participant
Rankings from AP Poll

Preseason

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American Athletic Conference preseason media poll

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The American Athletic Conference preseason media poll was released at the virtual media day held August 4, 2021.[1] Cincinnati, who finished the 2020 season ranked No. 8 nationally, was tabbed as the preseason favorite in the 2021 preseason media poll.

Media poll
Predicted finish Team Votes (1st place)
1 Cincinnati 262 (22)
2 UCF 241 (2)
3 SMU 188
4 Houston 181
5 Memphis 168
6 Tulsa 153
7 Tulane 132
т-8 East Carolina 85
т-8 Navy 85
10 Temple 46
11 South Florida 43

Schedule

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DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
September 43:30 p.m.Marshall*CBSSNL 7–4930,131
September 113:30 p.m.Air Force*
CBSL 3–2336,997
September 257:00 p.m.at HoustonESPNUL 20–2825,054
October 23:30 p.m.UCF
  • Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium
  • Annapolis, MD
CBSSNW 34–3030,871
October 93:30 p.m.No. 24 SMU
  • Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium
  • Annapolis, MD (Gansz Trophy)
CBSSNL 24–3128,563
October 147:30 p.m.at MemphisESPNL 17–3530,042
October 2312:00 p.m.No. 2 Cincinnati
  • Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium
  • Annapolis, MD
ESPN2L 20–2732,004
October 297:30 p.m.at TulsaESPN2W 20–1716,279
November 63:30 p.m.at No. 10 Notre Dame*NBCL 6–3477,096
November 203:30 p.m.East Carolina
  • Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium
  • Annapolis, MD
CBSSNL 35–3828,001
November 2712:00 p.m.at TempleESPNUW 38–1416,708
December 113:00 p.m.vs. Army*CBSW 17–1382,282

[2]

Personnel

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Coaching staff

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Name Position Seasons at
Navy
Alma mater
Ken Niumatalolo Head coach 24 (14 as HC) Hawaii (1989)
Offensive staff
Ivin Jasper Offensive coordinator / quarterbacks coach 22 Hawaii (1994)
Joe Dupaix Slotbacks coach 7 Southern Utah (1998)
Ashley Ingram Running game coordinator / offensive centers and guards coach 14 North Alabama (1996)
Jason MacDonald Fullbacks Coach 3 Springfield College (MA) (2004)
Danny O'Rourke Special teams coordinator / offensive tackles coach 20 West Georgia (1999)
Mick Yokitis Wide receivers coach 11 Navy (2006)
Billy Ray Stutzmann Offensive assistant coach 3 Hawaii (2013)
Defensive staff
Brian Newberry Defensive coordinator / safeties coach 3 Baylor (1998)
James Adams Cornerbacks coach 2 Wake Forest (2006)
Kevin Downing Defensive ends / raiders coach 3 North Carolina Central (2004)
Robert Green Defensive assistant coach / Director of Racial Equality 9 Navy (1998)
Joe Coniglio Defensive assistant coach 1 Miami University (2006)
Steve Johns Strikers Coach 14 Occidental (1991)
Jerrick Hall Nose Guards / defensive tackles coach 3 NC State (2004)
P.J. Volker Linebackers coach 3 Mount St. Joseph (2005)
Support staff
Brian Blick Director of football operations 5 Navy (2012)
Va'a Niumatalolo Assistant to the director of football operations 2 BYU (2018)
Bryan Fitzpatrick Associate director of athletics – Football Strength, Conditioning & Sports Performance 10 Towson (2005)
David Mahoney Recruiting coordinator 5 Navy (2007)
Bryan Miller Associate football strength and conditioning coach / sports science coordinator 7 North Park
Omar Nelson Director of player personnel 5 Navy (1997)
Capt. Donald Bowers, USMC Director of player development 2 Navy (2011)
Kevin Slattery Director of Football Creative Design 3 York College (PA) (2016)
Hanna Kotlarek Director of Football Creative Services  1
Laura Webb Administrative assistant to the head football coach  2
Source:[3]

Roster

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Rankings

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Ranking movements
Legend: — = Not ranked
Week
PollPre1234567891011121314Final
AP
Coaches
CFPNot releasedNot released

Game summaries

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Marshall

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Marshall at Navy
1 234Total
Thundering Herd 14 7721 49
Midshipmen 0 007 7
    
Pregame line Over/Under
MARSHALL -3.0 47[4]
Statistics Marshall Navy
First downs 23 24
Total yards 464 398
Rushing yards 101 337
Passing yards 363 61
Turnovers 2 2
Time of possession 18:41 41:19
Team Category Player Statistics
Marshall Passing Grant Wells 20/30, 333 yards, 2 INT
Rushing Rasheen Ali 14 carries, 59 yards, 4 TD
Receiving Talik Keaton 5 receptions, 100 yards
Navy Passing Maasai Maynor 2/6, 27 yards
Rushing James Harris II 11 carries, 80 yards
Receiving Mychal Copper 2 receptions, 30 yards

Air Force

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Air Force at Navy
1 234Total
Falcons 0 779 23
Midshipmen 0 300 3
  
Pregame line Over/Under
AIR FORCE -6.0 40[5]
Statistics Air Force Navy
First downs 14 6
Total yards 225 68
Rushing yards 176 36
Passing yards 49 32
Turnovers 0 1
Time of possession 36:48 23:12
Team Category Player Statistics
Air Force Passing Haaziq Daniels 3/10, 49 yards
Rushing Brad Roberts 29 carries, 97 yards, 2 TD
Receiving Micah Davis 1 reception, 27 yards
Navy Passing Maasai Maynor 3/5, 32 yards,
Rushing Xavier Arline 16 carries, 31 yards
Receiving Mychal Copper 1 reception, 15 yards

Since this game was on the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, both teams donned special commemorative uniforms. The Air Force Falcons were designed to honor a B-52 bomber crew that flew in Operation Linebacker II during 1972. While the Midshipmen's uniform celebrated the United States Marine Corps, inspired by the iconic "Dress Blue A" uniform, with white gloves, black cleats, red trim, and royal blue pants. The helmet, shoulder and pant designs feature an Eagle, Globe and Anchor, as well as, the battle cry "OORAH", on the front of the helmet. The back of the helmet reads "Semper Fi", the Marine Corps motto abbreviated from Semper Fidelis, meaning "always faithful." The red stripe on the pants is known as the "Blood Stripe," a way to honor fallen and injured Marines.[6][7]

At Houston

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Navy at Houston
1 234Total
Midshipmen 7 1003 20
Cougars 7 0714 28
  • Date: September 25, 2021
  • Location: TDECU Stadium
    Houston, TX
  • Game start: 6:02 p.m. CDT
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 8 minutes
  • Game attendance: 25,054
  • Game weather: 85 °F (29 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: E 6 MPH
  • Referee: Hank Johns
  • TV announcers (ESPNU): Tiffany Greene (play-by-play) and Hutson Mason (analyst)
    
Pregame line Over/Under
HOUSTON –2.0 47
Statistics Navy Houston
First downs 16 20
Total yards 300 384
Rushing yards 202 127
Passing yards 98 257
Turnovers 1 0
Time of possession 33:21 26:39
Team Category Player Statistics
Navy Passing Xavier Arline 3/6, 83 yards
Rushing Xavier Arline 19 rushes, 64 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Mychal Cooper 3 receptions, 83 yards
Houston Passing Clayton Tune 22/30, 257 yards, 1 TD
Rushing Alton McCaskill 17 rushes, 74 yards
Receiving Christian Trahan 4 receptions, 65 yards
Central Florida at Navy
1 234Total
Knights 13 1070 30
Midshipmen 7 10017 34
       
Pregame line Over/Under
UCF -15.0 53
Statistics UCF Navy
First downs 17 26
Total yards 326 406
Rushing yards 148 348
Passing yards 178 58
Turnovers 2 2
Time of possession 20:42 39:18
Team Category Player Statistics
UCF Passing Mikey Keene 16/26, 178 yards, 2TD, INT
Rushing Johnny Richardson 11 carries, 59 yards
Receiving Brandon Johnson 4 receptions, 79 yards, 2 TD
Navy Passing Tai Lavatai 2/4, 58 yards
Rushing Carlinos Acie 11 carries, 85 yards
Receiving Chance Warren 1 reception, 49 yards

This was the Navy Midshipmen's first win since October 17, 2020 when they played at ECU. Navy snapped their losing streak and got their first win this season. Also during this game, the Naval Academy Athletic Association retired former All-American and College Football Hall of Fame safety Chet Moeller's number 48 jersey. Moeller, who was also the East Coast Athletic (ECAC) Player of the Year in 1975, played for the Midshipmen from 1972 to 1975. He is the first defensive player to have his number retired by the Midshipmen.[8]

No. 24 SMU

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Southern Methodist at Navy
1 234Total
No. 24 Mustangs 7 1437 31
Midshipmen 7 1430 24
     
Pregame line Over/Under
SMU –13.5 57[9]
Statistics SMU Navy
First downs 22 12
Total yards 404 241
Rushing yards 80 177
Passing yards 324 64
Turnovers 2 0
Time of possession 27:41 32:19
Team Category Player Statistics
SMU Passing Tanner Mordecai 30/40, 324 yards, 2 TD, INT
Rushing Tre Siggers 14 carries, 49 yards, TD
Receiving Reggie Roberson Jr. 5 receptions, 100 yards, TD
Navy Passing Tai Lavatai 4/7, 64 yards, TD
Rushing Tai Lavatai 24 carries, 53 yards
Receiving Kai Puailoa-Rojas 1 reception, 37 yards, TD

At Memphis

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Navy at Memphis
1 234Total
Midshipmen 7 370 17
Tigers 14 1470 35
  • Date: October 14, 2021
  • Location: Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium
    Memphis, TN
  • Game start: 7:30 p.m. EDT
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours
  • Game attendance: 30,042
  • Game weather: 78 °F (26 °C) • Weather: Cloudy • Wind: S 8 MPH
  • Referee: Edwin Lee
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Matt Barrie (play-by-play), Roddy Jones (analyst) & Harry Lyles Jr. (sideline)
     
Pregame line Over/Under
MEMPHIS –11.0 56
Statistics Navy Memphis
First downs 17 15
Total yards 241 415
Rushing yards 198 200
Passing yards 43 215
Turnovers 0 1
Time of possession 39:19 20:41
Team Category Player Statistics
Navy Passing Tai Lavatai 3/4, 27 yards, TD
Rushing Isaac Ruoss 18 carries, 75 yards
Receiving Mychal Copper 1 reception, 21 yards, TD
Memphis Passing Seth Henigan 8/12, 215 yards, 2 TD, INT
Rushing Calvin Austin III 1 carry, 69 yards, TD
Receiving Eddie Lewis 3 receptions, 92 yards, TD

No. 2 Cincinnati

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Cincinnati at Navy
1 234Total
No. 2 Bearcats 7 6140 27
Midshipmen 7 3010 20
     
Pregame line Over/Under
CINCINNATI -26.5 52.5
Statistics Cincinnati Navy
First downs 14 22
Total yards 271 308
Rushing yards 21 67
Passing yards 176 116
Turnovers 1 1
Time of possession 20:33 39:27
Team Category Player Statistics
Cincinnati Passing Desmond Ridder 18/30, 176 yards, 2 TD, INT
Rushing Jerome Ford 15 carries, 90 yards, TD
Receiving Josh Whyle 4 receptions, 60 yards, 2 TD
Navy Passing Tai Lavatai 11/15, 116 yards, INT
Rushing Isaac Ruoss 19 carries, 80 yards
Receiving Kai Puailoa-Rojas 2 receptions, 47 yards

At Tulsa

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Navy at Tulsa
1 234Total
Midshipmen 0 3710 20
Golden Hurricane 0 377 17
    
Pregame line Over/Under
TULSA –11.0 46
Statistics Navy Tulsa
First downs 16 13
Total yards 302 294
Rushing yards 302 129
Passing yards 0 165
Turnovers 0 2
Time of possession 37:18 22:42
Team Category Player Statistics
Navy Passing Team 0/1, 0 yards
Rushing Carlinos Acie 3 carries, 80 yards
Receiving
Tulsa Passing Davis Brin 13/23, 165 yards, TD, INT
Rushing Anthony Watkins 5 carries, 81 yards
Receiving Juancarlos Santana 7 receptions, 109 yards

At No. 10 Notre Dame

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Navy at Notre Dame
1 234Total
Midshipmen 3 030 6
No. 10 Fighting Irish 0 17017 34
    
Pregame line Over/under
-21.0 48
Statistics Navy Notre Dame
First downs 11 21
Total yards 184 430
Rushing yards 166 150
Passing yards 18 280
Turnovers 0 0
Time of possession 34:33 25:27
Team Category Player Statistics
Navy Passing Xavier Arline 1/2, 18 yards
Rushing Isaac Ruoss 22 carries, 73 yards
Receiving Jayden Umbarger 1 reception, 18 yards
Notre Dame Passing Jack Coan 23/29, 269 yards, TD
Rushing Kyren Williams 17 carries, 95 yards, 2 TD
Receiving Kevin Austin Jr. 6 receptions, 139 yards, TD

East Carolina

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East Carolina at Navy
1 234Total
Pirates 14 10014 38
Midshipmen 7 14014 35
         
Pregame line Over/under
ECU –3.5 46.5
Statistics East Carolina Navy
First downs 24 17
Total yards 563 382
Rushing yards 158 345
Passing yards 405 37
Turnovers 0 0
Time of possession 32:40 27:20
Team Category Player Statistics
East Carolina Passing Holton Ahlers 27/32, 405 yards, 3 TD
Rushing Keaton Mitchell 18 carries, 94 yards, TD
Receiving Tyler Snead 5 receptions, 137 yards, 2 TD
Navy Passing Tai Lavatai 4/4, 37 yards, 2 TD
Rushing Carlinos Acie 6 carries, 155 yards, TD
Receiving Mychal Copper 2 receptions, 31 yards, TD

At Temple

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Navy at Temple
1 234Total
Midshipmen 7 10714 38
Owls 0 770 14
    
Pregame line Over/under
NAVY –13.5 42.5
Statistics Navy Temple
First downs 21 11
Total yards 291 182
Rushing yards 219 84
Passing yards 72 98
Turnovers 1 3
Time of possession 37:11 22:49
Team Category Player Statistics
Navy Passing Tai Lavatai 5/11, 57 yards, TD
Rushing Carlinos Acie 10 carries, 86 yards, TD
Receiving Chance Warren 3 receptions, 43 yards, 2 TD
Temple Passing Mariano Valenti 10/14, 73 yards
Rushing Tayvon Ruley 9 carries, 68 yards, TD
Receiving Jose Barbon 5 receptions, 34 yards

Vs. Army

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Army vs. Navy
1 234Total
Black Knights 10 300 13
Midshipmen 7 370 17
  
Pregame line Over/under
ARMY –7.0 35.5
Statistics Army Navy
First downs 11 13
Total yards 232 278
Rushing yards 124 196
Passing yards 108 92
Turnovers 0 0
Time of possession 25:35 34:25
Team Category Player Statistics
Army Passing Christian Anderson 7/15, 108 yards
Rushing Christian Anderson 9 carries, 67 yards, TD
Receiving Isaiah Alston 1 reception, 35 yards
Navy Passing Tai Lavatai 4/6, 82 yards
Rushing Tai Lavatai 20 carries, 62 yards, 2 TD
Receiving Mychal Copper 1 reception, 28 yards

This year's Army-Navy Game uniforms for the Navy Midshipmen spotlight Naval Aviation, namely the carrier-based F/A-18 Super Hornet in a themed uniform named "Fly Navy". The color-rush navy kits feature the current active U.S. Military roundel national insignia, (a white star with white and red stripes), on each shoulder. On the left upper chest is a triangular squadron patch highlighting the Strike Fighter Wing, U.S. Atlantic Fleet based out of Naval Air Station in Oceana, Virginia. The pants have a red stripe between two white stripes running down the side, while the gloves have the "Fly Navy" script on the palms.[10]

The right side of the helmet is emblazoned with "the roundel" while left side of the helmet has a hand-painted F/A-18 Super Hornet ("the Rhino"), which are operated by naval aviators and also the jet flown by the Navy's elite flight demonstration squadron, the Blue Angels. On the back of the helmet, three sets of gold wings are featured which are earned by naval aviators: Single Anchor–Navy Aviators (pilots); Double Anchor–Naval Flight Officers (navigators); and AC–Aircrew.[11]

This year's exclusive Game Ball by Team Issue features the silhouette of an F/A-18 Super Hornet, the U.S. Military Roundel and color scheme, as well as an intricate stitching design around the laces.

References

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  1. ^ "Cincinnati Chosen as Favorite in American Preseason Media Poll". theAmerican.org. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
  2. ^ "2021 Navy Football Schedule". FBS Schedules. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
  3. ^ "2021 Navy Midshipmen Coaching Staff". USNA Athletic Department. Retrieved August 30, 2021.[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ "Marshall Thundering Herd vs Navy Midshipmen". Odds Shark. Retrieved September 4, 2021.
  5. ^ "Air Force Falcons vs Navy Midshipmen". Odds Shark. Retrieved September 8, 2021.
  6. ^ "LOOK: Navy, Air Force football teams reveal military-themed uniforms for 9/11 game on CBS". CBSSports.com. September 11, 2021.
  7. ^ "LOOK: Navy, Air Force football teams reveal military-themed uniforms for 9/11 game on CBS". www.cbssports.com.
  8. ^ "Navy retiring number of former star safety Chet Moeller". Associated Press. May 25, 2021.
  9. ^ "SMU Mustangs vs Navy Midshipmen". Odds Shark. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  10. ^ "FLY NAVY by Navy Athletics". Exposure.
  11. ^ "Navy Athletics, Under Armour Unveil Special Naval Aviation Uniform for the Army-Navy Game". Naval Academy Athletics.