Navy topped then-No. 21 SMU, 35-28, in Annapolis, Md., Nov. 23. The victory propelled the Midshipmen back into the top 25 rankings. The Midshipmen completed their regular-season home slate with an undefeated 6-0 mark, the first time Navy has gone undefeated at home in the regular season since 2016. Navy is 8-2 overall and 6-1 in the American Athletic Conference.
Here’s what we learned:
1. Navy still has a shot at the AAC West Division crown outright should No. 18 Memphis lose to No. 17 Cincinnati on Nov. 29.
The Tigers own the tiebreaker by virtue of their 35-23 victory against Navy Sept. 26. Even if Memphis wins, the Mids would own a share of the West Division title with a win against Houston Nov. 30. It would be Navy’s third title since joining the league since 2015 (shared in 2015, won it outright in 2016).
2. Lamar Jackson might be the most dynamic quarterback in the state of Maryland, but Malcolm Perry is right behind him.
Perry generated 357 yards of total offense and scored the game-winning touchdown against the Mustangs with a 70-yard run. Perry finished with 195 yards on 38 carries with two touchdowns on the ground. He also completed 9 of 15 passes for 162 yards and another score. Perry was named the American Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week and a Manning Award Star of the Week.
3. Overall, the Midshipmen are a tough matchup for opponents because of the prolific triple-option attack.
Navy had 540 yards of total offense (378 rush, 162 pass) against SMU, which was only the second most by the Mids this season. Navy had 573 yards against Connecticut.
4. Navy’s defense has been stellar under first-year coordinator Brian Newberry.
The Midshipmen are ranked 24th for overall defense, compared to 86th last season. The Navy defense has gotten off the field without giving up a first down on 39 of 111 (.351) drives this year (3.90 per game).
5. Navy is bowl eligible for the 15th time in the last 17 years.
However, for the first time during that run, Navy will not know which bowl game it will go to until bowl announcements are made Dec. 8, since the Mids now fall under the American Athletic Conference umbrella for bowl games.