Navy Sports

Colleges & Universities United States Naval Academy (USNA)
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<p>Transcript of Navy Head Football Coach Paul Johnson’s Press Briefing Following Practice On Wednesday, August 1, 2007</p>

<p>In Attendance: Bill Wagner (Annapolis Capital) </p>

<p>Wagner: What are you trying to accomplish during these days that you’re not in pads? </p>

<p>Johnson: Just try and get better. Try to get better on the fundamentals, with assignments, all that stuff. </p>

<p>Wagner: Do you pretty much run through the same practice plan out of pads as you do in pads? </p>

<p>Johnson: Yeah, pretty close. It’s pretty much the same. </p>

<p>Wagner: Obviously you can tell more when they are in pads. </p>

<p>Johnson: Yeah, some guys are better shorts players than they are pads players and vice versa. </p>

<p>Wagner: Have you seen a couple of those in your career? </p>

<p>Johnson: I’ve seen one or two in my career that have been pretty good players when they are wearing shorts and not so good when the pads come on and vice versa. I’ve seen guys that look awful in shorts but when the pads go on they play a little better. </p>

<p>Wagner: Is that just because they are more physical and like to hit? </p>

<p>Johnson: Yeah, probably. They might just be a little tougher. It’s a different game when you put the pads on. The majority of the kids you can tell if they can play or not. </p>

<p>Wagner: What was the total number of plebes that showed up between NAPS and Direct? I know Stras put out that list. </p>

<p>Johnson: We are close to 50. </p>

<p>Wagner: When do you decide on who is on the scout team? </p>

<p>Johnson: We won’t do that for a couple of weeks. When we start to get ready for Temple. We will play against each other for the first couple of weeks. We will play good on good for a couple of weeks and try to get pad ready. </p>

<p>Wagner: Two-a-days is kind of a rite of preseason football. Is it merely because you have to do that to get all of your practices in that are allowed? </p>

<p>Johnson: Yes. </p>

<p>Wagner: Is there a gain to be had to go through two-a-days and find out which guys can hack it? </p>

<p>Johnson: If you had the time you would rather practice once per day. You would get more done. There is some advantage to two-a-days. You can see who will fight through it and who is tough. The way the rules are you have to have them to get all your practices in. </p>

<p>Wagner: I was curious as to what a football coach does in the little vacation time you have. How much actual vacation time does your staff have? </p>

<p>Johnson: Once the summer is over, once we finish May recruiting, other than a couple of week’s office duty, they get June and three weeks in July. </p>

<p>Wagner: That’s not very much vacation for an entire year. Especially when you consider the hours you guys put in. </p>

<p>Johnson: We get some time. We get some time at Christmas too when there is a dead period. It’s not a lot, but we probably get as much as anybody. I think this year all the guys got about six weeks. How much do you get from the Capital? </p>

<p>Wagner: Four. </p>

<p>Johnson: There you go. </p>

<p>Wagner: A lot of mine is broken up while yours is all at once. </p>

<p>Johnson: The difference is these guys work more hours when they are working. I don’t think anybody takes this job because of the vacation time. </p>

<p>Wagner: During the summer do most of the guys try and take a nice summer vacation to get away? </p>

<p>Johnson: Yeah, I think everybody does different things. We went to Hawaii for 11 days. </p>

<p>Wagner: What did you do in Hawaii? </p>

<p>Johnson: Saw some friends, played golf, just went on vacation as a tourist. Having lived there for eight years we had seen a lot of it, but we have a lot of friends there. A lot of times during the summer we will take half days and play golf. It goes by pretty fast. </p>

<p>Wagner: Do you feel like you don’t get enough time to recharge your batteries to get back to this? </p>

<p>Johnson: No, I don’t feel like that at all. I know what it takes. I’ve been doing this a long time and I know the routine. I’m always ready to start back when it’s time. </p>

<p>Wagner: You aren’t in line for coaching burnout are you, like Dick Vermeil? </p>

<p>Johnson: I don’t think so. Not this week.</p>

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<p><a href=“http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/columnists/jim_reeves/story/188803.html[/url]”>http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/columnists/jim_reeves/story/188803.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p><a href=“Examiner is back - Examiner.com”>Examiner is back - Examiner.com;

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924

<p>Posted on GoMids.com:</p>

<p><a href=“MidsDaily.com Football Recruiting”>MidsDaily.com Football Recruiting;

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</p>

925

<p>For Immediate Release
Sent Thursday, Aug. 2, 2007
Swimming & Diving Contact Justin Kischefsky (410) 293-8772</p>

<p>SwimmingWorldMagazine.com Feature on Navy Swimming</p>

<p>INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Writers from SwimmingWorldMagazine.com are contributing to a blog throughout the course of the ConocoPhillips USA Swimming National Championship being held this week at the Indiana University Natatorium in Indianapolis, Ind. Following the conclusion of Thursday’s morning session, Jason Marsteller, the magazine’s executive managing editor, spoke with Navy men’s swimmers Kevin Mukri and Adam Meyer (So., Bethesda, Md.) and assistant coach Adam Kennedy.</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/lane9/news/15337.asp[/url]”>http://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/lane9/news/15337.asp&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>August 2, 12:25 p.m. Thanks to Navy’s media relations guy Justin Kischefsky, who happened to be an honorable mention for this year’s Swimming World Magazine SID of the Year, I had the chance to chat with Navy’s coach Adam Kennedy as well as graduating senior Kevin Mukri and soon-to-be sophomore Adam Meyer.</p>

<p>When other United States swimmers were competing and training through various sectionals and state championships over the summer as well as some top International meets, the service academy folks were hard at work training to defend our country.</p>

<p>Although Mukri will have his enrollment in Flight School in Pensacola delayed until November so that he can train to compete in the World Military Games held in India in October, he still had several trips to prepare for his flight training. Think Top Gun here. From talking to the man, I’m proud to know he’s watching our soldiers’ collective backs from up in the sky after two more years of intense training.</p>

<p>Meyer, who is going to be on ship when he graduates from the Academy, had the chance to spend some time on an aircraft carrier that went to New York for Fleet Week. He had the chance to fly in a helicopter and take part in some marksmanship training while stationed on the ship. He’s hoping to become a member of the elite Navy Seals when he completes his time in the Academy.</p>

<p>Kennedy explained that coaching at Navy has been an experience. The student-athletes on that campus are singularly motivated and intense individuals. He said that as opposed to coaching away from the Academy where he sometimes had to kick kids into an extra gear, he actually has to remind some of his current swimmers to take a breath at times. “They are always go-go-go.”</p>

<p>I appreciate the three taking some time to chat with me before they headed off after prelims.</p>

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<p>Offseason workouts were well-attended</p>

<p><a href=“Real Estate – Capital Gazette”>Real Estate – Capital Gazette;

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<p>Stability key as practice opens</p>

<p><a href=“Real Estate – Capital Gazette”>Real Estate – Capital Gazette;

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</p>

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<p>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br>
August 1, 2007</p>

<p>FORMER NAVY LACROSSE GREAT TO COACH FCA SELECT TEAM</p>

<p>(Kansas City, MO) - Former Navy Midshipman lacrosse great and retired Marine Lieutenant Colonel Glen Miles has been chosen as coach of the FCA Lacrosse National High School team. Miles will lead the FCA Harrow team as they embark on a four-day, three-city tour this week in the Northeast. </p>

<p>A midfielder and attackman, Miles is considered one of the premier players of his time. A First-Team All-American and winner of the MacLaughlin Award, he helped the Midshipmen advance to the NCAA Quarterfinals in 1986. He was inducted into the United States Naval Academy’s Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 1986 and was an alternate for the U.S. World team that same year. Four years later, he was a member of the U.S. team that won the 1990 World Lacrosse Championship. </p>

<p>While serving his country in the U.S. military, Miles was honored with the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Joint Forces Commendation Medal and two Navy Achievement Medals. </p>

<p>“I am excited to be a part of FCA Lacrosse and honored to have the opportunity to work with these young people,” Miles said. “My goal is to help develop not only their lacrosse skills, but also their skills as leaders and men of integrity.” </p>

<p>The FCA team, selected from tryouts held by FCA Lacrosse earlier this year, is composed of 20 of the best High School juniors and seniors from around the country. The tour begins this Thursday in Towson, MD at Calvert Hall High School. On Friday the tour moves on to Downington, PA and the United States Training Center and wraps up Saturday and Sunday in Geneva, NY at Hobart College versus the Ontario Edge, one of the premier lacrosse teams from Canada.</p>

<p>FCA Lacrosse was launched in the summer of 1988 to help young lacrosse players reach their potential by providing positive role models and peer influence. It is one of six sport-specific ministries of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. </p>

<p>"FCA Lacrosse is about positive peer influence, "said Sean McNamara, executive director of FCA Lacrosse. “We feel this tour will provide these kids a great opportunity to showcase their lacrosse skills while giving them direction on how to commit to play drug and alcohol free so they can reach their full potential.”</p>

<p>For more information about FCA Lacrosse go to <a href=“http://www.fcalax.com%5B/url%5D”>www.fcalax.com</a> or call (410) 891-2643.</p>

929

<p>Navy entry looking to end line honors streak by Donnybrook</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2007/08_02-40/SAL[/url]”>http://www.hometownannapolis.com/cgi-bin/read/2007/08_02-40/SAL&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>The Navy varsity offshore sailing team participated in the 2007 Around Long Island Race off New York this past weekend aboard the newly acquired 66-footer Zaraffa, taking second place in its class and winning the trophy for top performance by a Service Academy entry, beating out crews from the US Merchant Marine Academy and the US Coast Guard Academy.</p>

<p>The 15-Mid Zaraffa crew was led by skipper and team captain Matt Recker.</p>

<p>Next up for the team is competition in the Maryland Governor’s Cup Race from Annapolis to St. Mary’s tonight, also aboard Zaraffa.</p>

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<p>Transcript of Navy Head Football Coach Paul Johnson’s Press Briefing Following Practice On Thursday, August 2</p>

<p>In Attendance: Corey Masisak (Washington Times) and Christian Swezey (Washington Post) </p>

<p>Swezey: How was practice? </p>

<p>Johnson: It was a little lethargic. At the end of practice there was a little more spirit. It wasn’t quite as up-tempo as I would have liked early on. </p>

<p>Masisak: I thought you prided yourself on not protecting your quarterbacks (Jarod Bryant got blindsided by Matt Humiston and Johnson let him know about it)? </p>

<p>Johnson: Except in a thud period when you’re not supposed to be hitting them. He’s (Humiston) a knucklehead anyway. He does that all the time. </p>

<p>Masisak: I was waiting for somebody to ask you about Nate Frazier on media day and I think you kind of got out in front of it and you were trying to quiet some of the hype about him since he’s never really played. </p>

<p>Johnson: The kid’s never played a down (when the game was on the line). I hope he’s going to be a good player. We need him to be a good player, but I wouldn’t anoint him as Deacon Jones just yet. </p>

<p>Masisak: Are you surprised that there’s so much hype about him considering he hasn’t played much? </p>

<p>Johnson: I think he’s a big body and people see that and they get excited about it, we are excited about him, but he still has a lot to learn and he will still have a lot of growing pains. I think he wants to be good, but you still have to do it. </p>

<p>Masisak: How important would it be for him to step up and be a factor right away? </p>

<p>Johnson: Any time you have a guy that steps up and plays big it’s important, especially for us to get a big guy on the defensive line. We have been playing with a lot of guys on the defensive line that aren’t that big. </p>

<p>Masisak: Have you noticed anything different with Kaipo the first few days compared to last year? </p>

<p>Johnson: Not really. We haven’t gotten into much, but I haven’t seen any difference. He has a year more experience and maybe a little more confident, but that’s about it. </p>

<p>Masisak: He said he didn’t go back to Hawaii this summer, was it important for him to stay around as the quarterback? </p>

<p>Johnson: Yeah, I think it’s good. Any time you’re the quarterback and you stay around the guys all summer it’s good. If you’re going to be the leader of the team you need to be here, that’s for sure.</p>

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<p><a href=“Sports”>Sports;

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<p><a href=“OwlsDaily.com -Temple Owls Football Recruiting”>OwlsDaily.com -Temple Owls Football Recruiting;

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<p>For Immediate Release
Friday, August 3, 2007
Contact: Jonathan Maggart (410) 293-8771</p>

<p>Navy Baseball Welcomes Class of 2011</p>

<p>ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Navy baseball head coach Paul Kostacopoulos and the coaching staff released on Friday afternoon its Class of 2011 newcomers.</p>

<p>“As a staff, we are happy to welcome a good collection of talent that is the Class of 2011,” stated Kostacopoulos. “Through development and hard work, we feel that this group will help make a positive impact over their four years.”</p>

<p>Among this year’s incoming class are five infielders, four pitchers, three outfielders and three catchers. The following is a closer look at the newcomers:</p>

<p>Jeff Bland - C - 5-9/195 - BR/TR - Basking Ridge, N.J./Immaculata
High School: Attended Immaculata High School … earned four letters with the baseball team … also lettered in football … helped baseball team to three county and conference championship titles … second-team all-state catcher as a senior … selected county’s Player of the Year … twice named first-team all-conference … first-team all-area and all-county in 2007.
Personal: Son of Jeff and Janine Bland … born Nov. 30, 1988, in Summit, N.J.</p>

<p>Matt Burch - INF - 5-10/165 - BR/TR - Leesburg, Va./Notre Dame Academy
High School: Attended Notre Dame Academy … five-time letterwinner with the baseball team … helped team to four-consecutive state titles (2004-07) … his team won at least 30 games in three of those four seasons … key member to a group that combined for a 127-29 (.814) record during that span … named second-team all-state as a senior … member of the National Honor Society and served as Vice President … former teammate of Air Force’s Matt Barattino.
Personal: Son of Mike and Jane Burch … born Sept. 6, 1988, in Fairfax, Va.</p>

<p>Max Caggiano - INF - 5-9/150 - BS/TR - Schnecksville, Pa./Allentown Central Catholic
High School: Attended Allentown Central Catholic High School … two-time baseball letterwinner … selected as team captain in 2007 … two-time all-area selection … named 2007 Lehigh Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year … served as Vice President of the National Honor Society … played against Lehigh’s Kevin Mihalik, Brendan McGaheran and Ross Biggs.
Personal: Son of Angelo and Sherry Caggiano … born Jan. 31, 1989, in Allentown, Pa.</p>

<p>Eddie Diaz - OF - 5-10/180 - BL/TR - North Myrtle Beach, S.C./North Myrtle Beach
High School: Attended North Myrtle Beach High School … earned six letters with the baseball squad … helped team to a regional championship as a senior … three-time all-region selection … named High School Sports Report All-State Team … recognized as the 2007 Toast of the Coast … competed in the North/South All-Star Game … batted .439 with 10 doubles, two home runs and 20 RBI in 2007 … struck out only three times in 82 at bats … member of the National Honor Society … played against fellow Mids JD and Mitch Melton … teammate of Mitch Melton on a 12-and-under AAU team.
Personal: Son of Edwin and Maria Diaz … born Nov. 20, 1988, in Elk Grove, Ill.</p>

<p>Jon Doskocil - LHP - 6-1/180 - BL/TL - Sterling, Mass./Wachusett
High School: Attended Wachusett High School … earned four letters in baseball and three in football … an all-country and all-state pitcher as a senior … served as team captain and named team MVP in 2006 … played safety on a football squad that went 23-1 over his final-two years and won a pair of Super Bowl titles … member of the school’s Student Council … played with Navy pitcher Oliver Drake in the Massachusetts Showcase.
Personal: Son of William and Leslie Doskocil … born August 31, 1987, in Worcester, Mass.</p>

<p>Nick Driscoll - INF - 6-0/185 - BR/TR - Riverview, Fla./Riverview
High School: Attended Riverview High School … earned three letters in baseball … also lettered in football and basketball … served as the baseball team captain during his junior and senior years … as a senior, batted .295 with 17 runs scored and nine stolen bases … recipient of the Pepsi Scholar-Athlete Award in 2007 … played wide receiver on a football team that won the district championship in 2005.
Personal: Son of Kevin and Nancy Driscoll … born Dec. 7, 1988, in Kissimmee, Fla.</p>

<p>Mike Guadagnini - INF - 6-1/195 - BL/TR - Virginia Beach, Va./First Colonial
High School: Attended First Colonial High School … two-time letterwinner with the baseball team … also lettered in football and basketball … helped baseball squad to a third-place finish in the state as a junior … team was crowned Eastern Region and Beach District champions … named all-district third baseman in 2005 … as team captain that year, batted .375 with a home run and 15 RBIs … also a all-district linebacker on the football team during his senior year.
Personal: Son of Mark and Donna Guadagnini … born March 14, 1988, in Annapolis, Md. … brother, Mark, is a pitcher on the Navy baseball team … father, Mark, is a Rear Admiral in the U.S. Navy and Class of 1980 graduate of the Naval Academy … grandfather (late), Dave Smalley, was an Assistant AD, basketball coach and 1957 graduate of the Naval Academy … uncle, Danny, also graduated from the Naval Academy in 1987.</p>

<p>Sam Long - LHP - 5-11/175 - BL/TL - Newnan, Ga./Woodward Academy
High School: Attened Woodward Academy … three-time letterwinner on the baseball team … also lettered with cross country … served as team captain during his senior year … 2007 Team Leader Recognition Award for Most Hustle … received team’s Outstanding Pitcher Award as a junior … member of East Cobb World Wood Bat championship team that boasted a 64-3 record in 2006 … Class 4A champion in cross country with a personal-best time of 17:05.
Personal: Son of James and Lisa Long … born Sept. 26, 1988, in Atlanta, Ga. … earned the rank of Black Belt in karate … also honored as an Eagle Scout.</p>

<p>Mitch Melton - C - 6-0/170 - BR/TR - Myrtle Beach, S.C./Myrtle Beach
High School: Attended Myrtle Beach High School … earned five letters in baseball and three with football … All-South Carolina and All-Region 7-AAA catcher during both his junior and senior years … also an all-state selection on football team that won the regional championship with a 10-3 mark in 2006 … played with brother and Navy pitcher JD Melton and played against fellow midshipman Eddie Diaz … has competed against Diaz since the age of 11 … member of the National Honor Society.
Personal: Son of David and Becky Melton … born August 12, 1988, in Columbia, S.C. … brother, JD, is a pitcher for the Navy baseball team.</p>

<p>Matt Merrill - INF - 5-6/155 - BR/TR - Boerne, Texas/Boerne
High School: Attended Boerne High School … earned three letters in baseball … also lettered twice in football … helped baseball team to a state championship during his freshman year … first-team all-area infielder … first-team all-district utility player … with the football squad, named an all-district wide receiver … member of the National Honor Society.
Personal: Son of Don and Cathy Merrill … born May 23, 1988, in San Antonio, Texas.</p>

<p>Wes Olson - RHP - 5-11/175 - BR/TR - Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central
High School: Attended Franklin Central High School … lettered with the baseball team … named All-South Player of the Year during his senior season … earned all-county and all-conference honors in 2006.
Personal: Son of Larry and Kari Anderson … born May 25, 1988, in Indianapolis, Ind. … father, Larry, serves in the U.S. Army as a pilot.</p>

<p>Jason Retter - C - 6-2/210 - BR/TR - Apollo, Pa./Kiski Area
High School: Attended Kiski Area High School … lettered in both baseball and football … captained both teams during his senior year … participated at the Seneca Valley Wooden Bat Baseball Showcase … member of the school’s Student Council.
Personal: Son of Randy and Joann Retter … born August 26, 1987.</p>

<p>Casey Talbot - OF - 6-0/185 - BR/TR - Medina, Wash./Eastside Catholic
High School: Attended Eastside Catholic High School … earned three letters in baseball … a 2006 PUMA All-American outfielder … helped the team to back-to-back state quarterfinal appearances in 2004-05 … competed with Chaffey Baseball Club that won the Reno Invitational in 2006 … invited to participate at Baseball Northwest (Washington, Idaho, Oregon and Montana) … member of NorCal baseball club that also produced Navy baseball players Kendall Bolt and Yale Eckert … high school teammate of Bucknell’s Jason Buursma.
Personal: Son of Randy and Margaret Talbot … born Oct. 6, 1987, in Albuquerque, N.M.</p>

<p>Chip Tengler - LHP - 6-1/185 - BL/TL - Alamo, Calif./Monte Vista
High School: Attended Monte Vista High School … two-time letterwinner with the baseball team … also lettered in football and basketball … Second-Team All-East Bay Athletic League as a junior … posted a 14-4 career record with a 2.20 ERA and 94 strikeouts in 90.1 innings … recorded an 8.2 strikeout/walk ratio as a junior (41 K/5 BB) … captained the football team to an 11-1 record and EBAL title as a senior … a shooting guard on a basketball team that won the league and section title in 2006-07.
Personal: Son of Douglas and Nancy Tengler … born Sept. 24, 1988, in Berkeley, Calif.</p>

<p>Jonathan Wright - OF - 6-5/190 - BR/TR - Arden, N.C./T.C. Roberson
High School: Attended T.C. Roberson High School … earned three letters with the baseball team … named to All-Western North Carolina team as both a junior and a senior … two-time all-conference selection … posted a .448 batting average during his senior campaign … one year prior, he batted .442 with four home runs and 32 RBIs … member of the National Honor Society.
Personal: Son of Wittner and Debra Wright … born May 3, 1988, in St. Petersburg, Fla.</p>

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<p>For: Immediate Release
Sent: August 3, 2007
Contact: Scott Strasemeier (410) 293-8775</p>

<p>Adam Ballard Selected To The East-West Shrine All-Star Game</p>

<p>ANNAPOLIS, Md.-Navy senior fullback Adam Ballard (Lewisville, Texas) has been selected to the 2008 East-West Shrine All-Star Game, which will be played Saturday, January 19 at the University of Houston. The game will be televised nationally by ESPN.</p>

<p>The East-West Shrine Game is the premier All-Star Game in America, and has a long history of distinguished players and coaches in the game.</p>

<p>Ballard, who was ranked in the pre-season as the third-best fullback in the country by The Sporting News, has rushed for 1,460 yards and nine touchdowns in his career. His career average of 5.5 yards per carry ranks fifth all-time at Navy.</p>

<p>Ballard is the 21st player in school history to be selected to the East-West game. Outside linebacker Tyler Tidwell played in the game last year.</p>

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<p>Fans can purchase the 2007 Navy Football Media Guide via the web at:</p>

<p><a href=“http://navysports.cstv.com/multimedia/navy-media-guides.html[/url]”>http://navysports.cstv.com/multimedia/navy-media-guides.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>Politi: Pick six … patsies that is
by STEVE POLITI</p>

<p>Welcome to our new Rutgers football blog. Grab your two deeps and slip on your Ray Rice jersey. We have plenty to talk about, and only 77 days to the season opener against South Florida on October 18 .</p>

<p>Wait. You mean those aren’t preseason games before then? Buffalo, Navy and Norfolk State? Maryland, Cincinnati and Syracuse? We can only assume that the Nowata Possums were unavailable (that would be this blog’s obscure movie reference No. 1, a milestone worth mentioning.)</p>

<p>A 6-0 start seems like a forgone conclusion, which should push the Scarlet Knights into the top 10. But fans should brace themselves for the five words you’ll hear more often than any others this season.</p>

<p>“But who has Rutgers played?”</p>

<p>My good friend Anthony “Fooch” Fucilli, the noted Rutgers sideline reporter, was debating the strength of schedule with me while we waited impatiently for A-Rod to finally show up at his locker after a game the other day.</p>

<p>“Navy almost beat Boston College in a bowl!” Fooch pointed out.</p>

<p>“If Maryland finds a quarterback, they could be good!” Fooch added.</p>

<p>“Norfolk State has one of the best bands in the country!” Fooch yelled.</p>

<p>Alright, so I made the last part up - although I trust Fooch knows his music. The point is this: If you have to explain why an opponent is good, then the opponent probably isn’t very good.</p>

<p>We know, other schools play the patsies (Penn State should be embarrassed by its non-conference schedule, too). We know, football schedules are made years in advance (although other teams find a way to get out of them).</p>

<p>That doesn’t make it any less of a bummer. After all the excitement built up from last season, wouldn’t it be great if there were an early-season test on the schedule that would measure how good this team is? A game that people around the country might keep an eye on?</p>

<p>The hot rumor in the SEC is that Alabama is looking for another game. Yes, Rutgers would have to travel. But it’d be worth the trip to Tuscaloosa for the added attention and benefit of playing an SEC team. This is not to suggest a schedule with Michigan, Southern Cal and the Indianapolis Colts. But one big-time out-of-conference game would generate excitement and act as a measuring stick for the program.</p>

<p>Buffalo is on the schedule for the next three years. Both Army and Navy are opponents through 2012. There’s hope that Bob Mulcahy and Greg Schiano would upgrade before Notre Dame becomes an opponent in 2010, but don’t count on it. Looking at this schedule, I’m not sure the Scarlet Knights have a road game before then.</p>

<p>So we will patiently wait for that season opener against South Florida. In the meantime, Fooch and I are going to send a search party to College Park, Md., to see if we can find them a quarterback.</p>

<p>So what do you think? Does Rutgers need to add a top-notch out-of-conference opponent to prove its worth in college football - or is better under the current setup, schedule some easy wins and bet the season on running table in the Big East?</p>

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<p>A new conference, more experience and strong recruits could be the recipe for a Temple resurgence.</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/colleges/20070804_As_camp_begins__Owls_see_new_reasons_for_optimism.html[/url]”>As camp begins, Owls see new reasons for optimism;

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<p>Transcript of Navy Head Football Coach Paul Johnson’s Press Briefing Following Practice On Saturday, August 4</p>

<p>In Attendance: Bill Wagner (Annapolis Capital) </p>

<p>Wagner: How did the first day in pads go? </p>

<p>Johnson: It was a little lethargic, like yesterday. The intensity level isn’t where we need to have it. It could be a lot better. </p>

<p>Wagner: Was the heat a factor? I mean it’s hot out here today. </p>

<p>Johnson: It is, but it might be hot when you play too. </p>

<p>Wagner: In terms of Kaipo, obviously you talked to him at the end of last season and I’m sure you told him some things that you felt like he needed to improve on to develop as a quarterback. Is there anything in particular that you thought he specifically needed to work on? </p>

<p>Johnson: Well, yeah. There were a lot of things he needed to work on. He needed to be better throwing the ball and all kinds of things. He’s worked hard this summer. We will just have to see how much he can improve this year. </p>

<p>Wagner: Do you think he handled himself pretty well as a sophomore considering the circumstances? </p>

<p>Johnson. Yeah, I thought he had some good games. Some games were good and I’m sure there were other games where he would tell you he could play better. I thought he did OK last year considering he was thrown to the wolves. </p>

<p>Wagner: Are you excited about the prospect of having a returning quarterback? </p>

<p>Johnson: Any time you have a returning starter it’s better than not having one. Right now he’s still competing for the job. He was the starter last year so they have to beat him out, but he’s still competing. </p>

<p>Wagner: Did you feel that Candeto made a quantum leap in his second year of your system? </p>

<p>Johnson: Yeah, he was a lot better. </p>

<p>Wagner: When was the last time you had a three-year starter at quarterback, if ever? It hasn’t happened here obviously. </p>

<p>Johnson: Greg Hill at Georgia Southern. </p>

<p>Wagner: By his third year was he pretty good? </p>

<p>Johnson: He was pretty good his first year. Usually three-year starters are pretty good as sophomores. He won the National Championship his senior year. We went 14-1 his junior year. He was 27-3 his last two years. </p>

<p>Wagner: It seems like Kaipo is a little more at ease this year and is more of a leader. I think last year he was a little more willing to defer to other guys even though he was the quarterback. He appears to have a new attitude this year. Have you noticed that? </p>

<p>Johnson: He’s always been a leader. He has some natural leadership ability. </p>

<p>Wagner: How has Jarod Bryant looked so far? </p>

<p>Johnson: He’s done well for what we’ve done so far. So has Troy Goss. </p>

<p>Wagner: So you have a good situation at quarterback? </p>

<p>Johnson: Yeah. We are still sorting it out. </p>

<p>Wagner: Are you going to keep Goss at quarterback? </p>

<p>Johnson: Yes. </p>

<p>Wagner: He won’t move to another position? </p>

<p>Johnson: No. </p>

<p>Wagner: Is there anybody else that you’ve seen perform well so far? </p>

<p>Johnson: There have been some guys, but we’ve only been in pads one day. We will have a better idea after next Saturday.</p>

940

<p>Donnybrook settles for 2nd</p>

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