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The Lowdown 2006 Schedule Coach: Paul Johnson (5th season, 28-21) 2005 record: 8-4 (Beat Colorado State in Poinsettia Bowl) 2005 I-A offensive rankings: Rushing: 1st (318.7 ypg) Passing: 115th (116.5 ypg) 2005 I-A defensive rankings: Rushing: 66th (154.6 ypg) Passing: 66th (222.8 ypg) Date Opponent Sept. 2 East Carolina Sept. 9 Massachusetts Sept. 16 at Stanford Sept. 23 Tulsa Sept. 30 at Connecticut Oct. 7 at Air Force Oct. 14 Rutgers Oct. 28 #Notre Dame Nov. 4 at Duke Nov. 11 at Eastern Michigan Nov. 18 Temple Dec. 2 %Army #Baltimore MD %Philadelphia PA Depth Chart: Offense 7 returning starters in red Ps. No. Player Yr. No. Player Yr. WR 89 Tyree Barnes So. 80 OJ Washington Jr. WR 87 Jason Tomlinson Sr. 9 T.J. Thiel So. LT 79 Matt Pritchett Sr. 66 Paul Bridgers Jr. LG 60 Zach Gallion Sr. 74 Ben Gabbard Jr. C 69 James Rossi Sr. 78 Cole Smith Sr. RG 63 Antron Harper Jr. 75 Anthony Gaskins So. RT 53 Josh Meek Jr. 76 Joe Person Sr. QB 3 Brian Hampton Sr. 17 Jarrod Bryant So. FB 22 Adam Ballard Jr. 34 Matt Hall Sr. SB 33 Karlos Whittaker So. 21 Trey Hines Sr. SB 7 Reggie Campbell Jr. 44 John Forbes So. Depth Chart: Defense 7 returning starters in red Ps. No. Player Yr. No. Player Yr. DE 96 Andrew Tattersall Sr. 43 Tye Adams Sr. NG 98 Larry Cylc Sr. 95 John Chan Sr. DE 95 John Chan Sr. 92 Chris Kuhar-Pitters Jr. OLB 40 David Mahoney Sr. 38 Keith Lisante Jr. ILB 57 Rob Caldwell Sr. 44 Clint Sovie So. ILB 45 Tyler Tidwell Sr. 54 Matt Wimsatt Jr. OLB 50 Joe Cylc Sr. 58 Jon Alvarado Jr. CB 8 Jeremy McGown Sr. 20 Greg Thrasher Jr. CB 4 Keenan Little Sr. 20 Greg Thrasher Jr. ROV 11 Ketric Buffin So. 24 Greg Sudderth Jr. FS 25 DuJuan Price Sr. 15 Clay Carter Sr. Special Teams Ps. No. Player Yr. Ps. No. Player Yr. K 39 Joey Bullen Jr. P 31 Greg Veteto Jr. KR 7 Reggie Campbell Jr. PR 87 Jason Tomlinson Sr.

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One would think Navy head coach Paul Johnson's success during the past three seasons was a top-level military secret. That would seem to be the only explanation as to why he is still coaching the Midshipmen and not a team from one of college football's power conferences.

Navy's turnaround during his four-year tenure has been staggering. The Midshipmen have gone 26-11 since 2003, winning the Commander-In-Chief's Trophy and playing in a postseason bowl in each of the past three seasons. And while Navy isn't beating teams from BCS conferences week in and week out, it has defeated two quality programs in bowl games the past two seasons, including a 51-30 victory over Colorado State in the Poinsettia Bowl last year.

But because Johnson relies so much on the triple-option spread offense, which is highly effective yet somewhat outdated in the sport's pass-happy era, his name has rarely been mentioned in coaching searches at more high-profile programs. That might change this season, as Johnson returns what might be his most experienced and talented Navy team. The Midshipmen return 15 starters and 38 lettermen from a team that finished 8-4 last season.

OFFENSE

For the third season in a row, the Midshipmen will have a senior starting under center for the first time. Brian Hampton replaces Lamar Owens, who accounted for 2,179 total yards and 17 touchdowns in 2005. Hampton is a great runner and showed spurts of production last season, but must show more discipline in the passing game. He will need to do a better job of mastering Johnson's triple-option spread offense, which demands a great deal from the quarterbacks. If Hampton falters, sophomore Jarrod Bryant is next in line.

Hampton won't be asked to throw the football very often, as Navy has a stable of quality fullbacks and slotbacks. Junior Adam Ballard became the first Navy player to run for 100 yards or more in each of his first three starts after replacing Matt Hall, who injured his knee against Notre Dame last season. Hall should be back after sitting out the spring to rehabilitate his surgically repaired knee.

Junior slotback Reggie Campbell, one of the smallest players in college football at 5'6", 164 pounds, and sophomore Karlos Whittaker, who scored six touchdowns before tearing ligaments in his left knee, are explosive runners on option plays. Navy rarely throws the football to its wide receivers, but senior Jason Tomlinson has a knack for getting open and making big plays. Four starters are back from an offensive line that helped Navy lead the nation in rushing and allow only 1.5 sacks per game. Left tackle Matt Pritchett and right guard Antron Harper are the best of the bunch.

DEFENSE

Navy has an undersized defensive front, but seven seniors could comprise the defensive line and linebacker corps. Defensive ends Andrew Tattersall and John Chan are lean but active pass rushers. The two combined for 10 sacks last season. Nose guard Larry Cylc weighs only 265 pounds and needs more help in the interior.

The four linebackers are the heart of Navy's 3-4 defensive scheme. Inside linebacker Rob Caldwell led the team in tackles with 140. Outside linebackers David Mahoney and Tyler Tidwell blitz frequently and combined for 35 tackles for a loss and 18 sacks last season.

The Midshipmen have vastly improved in pass coverage, as only one opponent threw for more than 300 yards against them last season. Some of that improvement can be attributed to the stout pass rush from the defensive linemen and linebackers, but the defensive backs are more athletic and can now stay with receivers in the open field.

All four starters are back in the secondary, along with two promising reserves, so Navy might shuffle its lineup. Senior Jeremy McGown started nine games at safety, missing three because of a broken arm, and worked at cornerback during the spring.

SPECIALISTS

Junior Joey Bullen was spectacular in his first season as Navy's placekicker, making 52-of-53 extra-points and 9-of-12 field goal attempts. He also showed the ability to kick under pressure, nailing a 46-yard field goal as time expired in a 27-24 victory over Air Force. Junior Greg Veteto should replace punter Eric Shuey, who handled those duties the past two seasons.

FINAL ANALYSIS

This might be Johnson's most experienced and talented team, but Hampton's ability to master the option offense will be the key to whether the Midshipmen play in their fourth consecutive bowl game. The schedule invites a fast start with only three opponents that played in bowl games last season.