April 12, 2008

ANNAPOLIS, Md.-Sophomore safety Wyatt Middleton (Norcross, Ga.) intercepted a pass and blocked a field goal to lead a strong defensive effort as the Navy defense kept the offense off the scoreboard in a Saturday morning scrimmage at the Naval Academy. Middleton picked off a Ricky Dobbs (So./Douglasville, Ga.) pass that thwarted one drive and blocked Kyle Delahooke's (So./Pasadena, Calif.) 45-yard field goal to stop another scoring attempt. The defense also held the offense out of the end zone with a goal line stand.

"I thought the defense played well today," said Navy head football coach Ken Niumatalolo. "The defense showed a lot of fight. The first offense moved the ball, but the defense was able to keep them out of the end zone. We go against each other every day and some days the offense wins and some days the defense wins. The most encouraging thing about today was how hard the defense fought. They did a great job of keeping the offense out of the end zone."

Sophomore linebacker Tyler Simmons (Goldsby, Okla.) had an impressive scrimmage, recording 12 tackles, three tackles for a loss and a sack. Other defensive standouts included sophomore defensive end Maurice Cumberland (Jacksonville, N.C.), who had eight tackles and two tackles for a loss; junior linebacker Jordan Eddington (San Antonio, Texas), who was in on six tackles and three tackles for a loss; junior linebacker Tony Haberer (Liberty Hill, Texas) had seven tackles; sophomore outside linebacker Travis Sudderth (Lilburn, Ga.) had seven tackles, two tackles for a loss and a sack; senior defensive end Michael Walsh (Newtown, Pa.) had seven tackles and a tackle for a loss and junior safety Darius Terry had seven tackles.

Senior Jarod Bryant (Hoover, Ala.) did a solid job of directing the first team offense despite playing slot back all week during practice in preparation for his dual role in the fall. Bryant carried the ball 11 times for 45 yards and completed four of his five passes for 38 yards.

Sophomore fullback Devan Clark (Lorton, Va.) showed flashes of promise with 47 yards on eight carries, while fellow classmate Vince Murray (Union, Ky.) rushed for 37 yards on nine carries.

Senior slot back Shun White (Memphis, Tenn.) was Navy's leading receiver with two catches for 44 yards.

The Navy football team will visit the White House on Monday for the Commander-In-Chief's Trophy presentation with President George Bush, before wrapping up the practice portion of spring drills on Tuesday and Thursday. The annual Blue-Gold game will take place Friday night at 7 p.m. at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.