This could have been a new era for Navy football.
Record-setting quarterback Keenan Reynolds, five starters on the offensive line and 26 other seniors were lost to graduation after last season. The ripple of change even spread to long-time coach Ken Niumatalolo, who considered taking over the program at BYU.
Instead, the Midshipmen have stayed the course, and their brand of football will look familiar heading into their season opener Sept. 3 against Fordham, a playoff-caliber team in the Football Championship Subdivision.
Niumatalolo decided to remain at Navy, and his triple-option offense, led by senior quarterback Tago Smith, should continue to create matchup problems for most opponents. Niumatalolo has liked what he has seen from his team during the preseason. He is confident his players will be ready to continue the program's success this week at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.
