2005 POINSETTIA BOWL PREVIEWS

(Friday, December 10)

The Navy Midshipmen (7-4) will be taking on the Colorado State Rams on December 22nd in San Diego at Qualcomm Stadium. The Midshipmen were not expected to return to a bowl game this season as an independent with only six returning starters and 30 total lettermen. After Navy started out the season losing to close games against quality opponents, Coach Paul Johnson’s young squad started to turn heads. A 23-20 loss to Maryland and a 41-38 lose to Stanford left the Navy backers with a perfect 2-0 ATS. Navy went on to win the next four games to bring their record to 4-2 SU and 5-1 ATS. Navy went on to win three of the next five games including their yearly games with Air Force and Army to capture the Commander in Chief award. On the year the Midshipmen finished 8-3 ATS.

The Rams of Colorado State (6-5) qualified for a bowl game in their last game of the same of the season by defeating UNLV 31-27. Coach Sonny Lubick’s squad had high expectation returning 17 starters and 45 lettermen. The Rams started out the season by losing a close game to cross state rivals Colorado 31-28. The following week the Rams were blown out 56-24 at Minnesota by the Golden Gophers. The Rams bounced winning five of their next six games only losing to BYU 24-14. At this point of the season the Rams were in position to contend for the conference crown but were blown out by TCU 33-6. The Rams then lost 30-10 to the Aztecs of SDSU. The Ram backers were 5-5-1 ATS.

Navy led the country in rushing with 305.9 yards per game. The Midshipmen gained 114 yards through the air for a combined total of 419.9 yards per game and 32.6 points per game. Navy’s offense is a well built option attack. The Rams are 104th in run defense allowing 204 yards per game. Look for the Midshipmen to have a huge game on the ground. The Rams have several injuries on the defensive side of the ball heading into the bowl game. The Rams were ranked 22nd in the country throwing the ball gaining 273.2 yards per game while struggling to run the ball for only 119.9 yards per game for a total of 393.1 yards per game and 26.5 points per game. The Midshipmen defense is ranked 41st against the pass surrendering 203.8 yards per game and 25.8 points. Navy has no significant injuries. Expect a lot of support for Navy in the San Diego area.

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