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Navy aiming to avoid a letdown against Delaware

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Updated Nov 20, 2009 12:01 PM ET
     
 

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP)

Don't look back.

That's the message Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo has been giving his Midshipmen all week as they prepare to play Delaware after their triumph over then-No. 19 Notre Dame.

"Obviously our kids are very happy. A lot of us are still on cloud nine. That's human nature," Niumatalolo said this week. "Hopefully, we can look at the film, learn from our mistakes and move forward."

Niumatalolo says the Midshipmen need to take a businesslike approach to prepare for the Blue Hens, who are ranked No. 23 in the latest Football Championship Subdivision poll.

"It's going to be hard because a lot of people are patting us on the back," he said. "We better get ready because we know (Delaware) is a very good team. If we don't get out of this euphoria, they will knock it out of us real quick."

The Midshipmen also have to be careful to not look too far ahead. Navy (7-3), which has accepted an invitation to play in the Texas Bowl on New Year's Eve, travels to Honolulu for a game against Hawaii on Nov. 28 before finishing out its schedule in the annual classic against Army.

"I hope they are still thinking about that great win over Notre Dame and are looking forward to their trip to Hawaii," Delaware coach K.C. Keeler said. "Maybe little old Delaware can sneak in there and come away with a nice upset."

It wouldn't be the first time. Delaware has won two of the last three meetings between the schools, knocking off bowl-bound Navy teams in 2003 and 2007. Two years ago, quarterback Joe Flacco threw for 434 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Blue Hens to a 59-52 shootout victory in Annapolis. The Pittsburgh transfer went on to become a first-round draft pick of the Baltimore Ravens.

Delaware's offense is again led by a major college transfer with pro potential. Pat Devlin was the Pennsylvania Gatorade Player of the Year and rated the nation's fourth-best quarterback recruit coming out of Downingtown East High. The 6-foot-4, 220-pounder picked Penn State over Miami, but left after spending two seasons as Daryll Clark's backup.

Devlin has lived up to his advanced billing, having completed 161 of 260 passes for 2,063 yards and 15 touchdowns at Delaware. Wide receiver Mark Duncan has been the top target with 32 catches for 507 yards and six touchdowns.

Linebacker Benard Makumbi (56 tackles) anchors a defense that ranks 24th in the FCS with 19.1 points allowed per game. The Blue Hens may be without one of their top defenders. Safety Anthony Bratton injured his ankle in last Saturday's 28-24 win over Hofstra.

Keeler is well-acquainted with Navy's triple-option offense, which is averaging 28.8 points and 356.7 yards per game. The Delaware coach admitted, however, that it was eye-opening to watch the Midshipmen shred the Notre Dame defense for 348 yards rushing.

Tagged: Navy

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