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How will Navy Football fare with new head coach Brian Newberry?

By Dante Pryor

Dec 10, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Cadets and Midshipmen from West Point and Annapolis conduct a prisoner exchange before the first half of the 123rd Army-Navy game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA Today Sports
Dec 10, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Cadets and Midshipmen from West Point and Annapolis conduct a prisoner exchange before the first half of the 123rd Army-Navy game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA Today Sports /
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Navy Football
Nov 19, 2022; Orlando, Florida, USA; Navy Midshipmen linebacker Max Sandlin (56) moves in for the tackle against UCF Knights wide receiver Xavier Townsend (3) during the second quarter at FBC Mortgage Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports /

How good will Navy Football’s defense be in 2023?

The Midshipmen were bend don’t break in 2022. Navy football play’s disciplined, team defense. It doesn’t give up big plays and is aided by an offense that keeps the football for 60 percent of the game. With Brian Newberry moving up to head coach, PJ Volker now leads the defense.

There were issues last year, but the defense was not one of them. The Navy was the best in the AAC in third-down defense, second in sacks, and they led the nation in rush defense. Of their eight losses, they allowed 30 or more points four times. If there was one weakness to the defense, it was the pass defense.

The pass rush covered a mediocre secondary 98th in pass yards allowed last year. John Marshall, who led the Middies in sacks, tackles for loss, and total tackles, is done at the Academy. Jacob Busic must carry the load getting to the quarterback. However, the scheme should stay the same.

That means pressure from everywhere, so expect four or five defenders with four or five sacks. The secondary is experienced; hopefully, that experience translates into better play on the back end. Teams efficiently threw the football and could stay ahead of the chains.

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