# 2021 Navy Midshipmen football team

The 2021 Navy Midshipmen football team represented the United States Naval Academy as a member of the American Athletic Conference (AAC) in the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Midshipmen were led by 14th-year head coach Ken Niumatalolo and played their home games at Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.

## Preseason
### American Athletic Conference preseason media poll

The American Athletic Conference preseason media poll was released at the virtual media day held August 4, 2021. Cincinnati, who finished the 2020 season ranked No. 8 nationally, was tabbed as the preseason favorite in the 2021 preseason media poll.
Media poll :
| Predicted finish | Team | Votes (1st place) |
| 1 | Cincinnati | 262 (22) |
| 2 | UCF | 241 (2) |
| 3 | SMU | 188 |
| 4 | Houston | 181 |
| 5 | Memphis | 168 |
| 6 | Tulsa | 153 |
| 7 | Tulane | 132 |
| т-8 | East Carolina | 85 |
| т-8 | Navy | 85 |
| 10 | Temple | 46 |
| 11 | South Florida | 43 |

## Schedule

| Date | Time | Opponent | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| September 4 | 3:30 p.m. | Marshall* | Navy–Marine Corps Memorial StadiumAnnapolis, MD | CBSSN | L 7–49 | 30,131 |
| September 11 | 3:30 p.m. | Air Force* | Navy–Marine Corps Memorial StadiumAnnapolis, MD (Commander-in-Chief's Trophy) | CBS | L 3–23 | 36,997 |
| September 25 | 7:00 p.m. | at Houston | TDECU StadiumHouston, TX | ESPNU | L 20–28 | 25,054 |
| October 2 | 3:30 p.m. | UCF | Navy–Marine Corps Memorial StadiumAnnapolis, MD | CBSSN | W 34–30 | 30,871 |
| October 9 | 3:30 p.m. | No. 24 SMU | Navy–Marine Corps Memorial StadiumAnnapolis, MD (Gansz Trophy) | CBSSN | L 24–31 | 28,563 |
| October 14 | 7:30 p.m. | at Memphis | Liberty Bowl Memorial StadiumMemphis, TN | ESPN | L 17–35 | 30,042 |
| October 23 | 12:00 p.m. | No. 2 Cincinnati | Navy–Marine Corps Memorial StadiumAnnapolis, MD | ESPN2 | L 20–27 | 32,004 |
| October 29 | 7:30 p.m. | at Tulsa | H.A. Chapman StadiumTulsa, OK | ESPN2 | W 20–17 | 16,279 |
| November 6 | 3:30 p.m. | at No. 10 Notre Dame* | Notre Dame StadiumNotre Dame, IN (rivalry) | NBC | L 6–34 | 77,096 |
| November 20 | 3:30 p.m. | East Carolina | Navy–Marine Corps Memorial StadiumAnnapolis, MD | CBSSN | L 35–38 | 28,001 |
| November 27 | 12:00 p.m. | at Temple | Lincoln Financial FieldPhiladelphia, PA | ESPNU | W 38–14 | 16,708 |
| December 11 | 3:00 p.m. | vs. Army* | Metlife StadiumEast Rutherford, NJ (Army–Navy Game, College GameDay) | CBS | W 17–13 | 82,282 |
| *Non-conference gameRankings from AP Poll and CFP Rankings after November 2 released prior to gameAll times are in Eastern time |||||||

## Personnel
### Coaching staff

| Name | Position | Seasons at Navy | Alma mater |
| Ken Niumatalolo | Head coach | 24 (14 as HC) | Hawaii (1989) |
| Offensive staff ||||
| Ivin Jasper | Offensive coordinator / quarterbacks coach | 22 | Hawaii (1994) |
| Joe DuPaix | Slotbacks coach | 7 | Southern Utah (1998) |
| Ashley Ingram | Running game coordinator / offensive centers and guards coach | 14 | North Alabama (1996) |
| Jason MacDonald | Fullbacks Coach | 3 | Springfield College (MA) (2004) |
| Danny O'Rourke | Special teams coordinator / offensive tackles coach | 20 | West Georgia (1999) |
| Mick Yokitis | Wide receivers coach | 11 | Navy (2006) |
| Billy Ray Stutzmann | Offensive assistant coach | 3 | Hawaii (2013) |
| Defensive staff ||||
| Brian Newberry | Defensive coordinator / safeties coach | 3 | Baylor (1998) |
| James Adams | Cornerbacks coach | 2 | Wake Forest (2006) |
| Kevin Downing | Defensive ends / raiders coach | 3 | North Carolina Central (2004) |
| Robert Green | Defensive assistant coach / Director of Racial Equality | 9 | Navy (1998) |
| Joe Coniglio | Defensive assistant coach | 1 | Miami University (2006) |
| Steve Johns | Strikers Coach | 14 | Occidental (1991) |
| Jerrick Hall | Nose Guards / defensive tackles coach | 3 | NC State (2004) |
| P.J. Volker | Linebackers coach | 3 | Mount St. Joseph (2005) |
| Support staff ||||
| Brian Blick | Director of football operations | 5 | Navy (2012) |
| Va'a Niumatalolo | Assistant to the director of football operations | 2 | BYU (2018) |
| Bryan Fitzpatrick | Associate director of athletics – Football Strength, Conditioning & Sports Performance | 10 | Towson (2005) |
| David Mahoney | Recruiting coordinator | 5 | Navy (2007) |
| Bryan Miller | Associate football strength and conditioning coach / sports science coordinator | 7 | North Park |
| Omar Nelson | Director of player personnel | 5 | Navy (1997) |
| Capt. Donald Bowers, USMC | Director of player development | 2 | Navy (2011) |
| Kevin Slattery | Director of Football Creative Design | 3 | York College (PA) (2016) |
| Hanna Kotlarek | Director of Football Creative Services | 1 | |
| Laura Webb | Administrative assistant to the head football coach | 2 | |
    Source:

### Roster
## Rankings

Ranking movements Legend: — = Not ranked :
| | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week |
| Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | Final |
| AP | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | | |
| Coaches | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | | |
| CFP | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | | | Not released |

## Game summaries
### Marshall

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Thundering Herd | 14 | 7 | 7 | 21 | 49 |
| Midshipmen | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
| Pregame line | Over/Under |
| MARSHALL -3.0 | 47 |
| Statistics | Marshall | Navy |
| First downs | 23 | 24 |
| Total yards | 464 | 398 |
| Rushing yards | 101 | 337 |
| Passing yards | 363 | 61 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 18:41 | 41:19 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Marshall | Passing | Grant Wells | 20/30, 333 yards, 2 INT |
| Marshall | Rushing | Rasheen Ali | 14 carries, 59 yards, 4 TD |
| Marshall | Receiving | Talik Keaton | 5 receptions, 100 yards |
| Navy | Passing | Maasai Maynor | 2/6, 27 yards |
| Navy | Rushing | James Harris II | 11 carries, 80 yards |
| Navy | Receiving | Mychal Copper | 2 receptions, 30 yards |

### Air Force

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Falcons | 0 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 23 |
| Midshipmen | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Pregame line | Over/Under |
| AIR FORCE -6.0 | 40 |
| Statistics | Air Force | Navy |
| First downs | 14 | 6 |
| Total yards | 225 | 68 |
| Rushing yards | 176 | 36 |
| Passing yards | 49 | 32 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 36:48 | 23:12 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Air Force | Passing | Haaziq Daniels | 3/10, 49 yards |
| Air Force | Rushing | Brad Roberts | 29 carries, 97 yards, 2 TD |
| Air Force | Receiving | Micah Davis | 1 reception, 27 yards |
| Navy | Passing | Maasai Maynor | 3/5, 32 yards, |
| Navy | Rushing | Xavier Arline | 16 carries, 31 yards |
| Navy | Receiving | Mychal Copper | 1 reception, 15 yards |
Since this game was on the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, both teams donned special commemorative uniforms. The Air Force Falcons were designed to honor a B-52 bomber crew that flew in Operation Linebacker II during 1972. While the Midshipmen's uniform celebrated the United States Marine Corps, inspired by the iconic "Dress Blue A" uniform, with white gloves, black cleats, red trim, and royal blue pants. The helmet, shoulder and pant designs feature an Eagle, Globe and Anchor, as well as, the battle cry "OORAH", on the front of the helmet. The back of the helmet reads "Semper Fi", the Marine Corps motto abbreviated from Semper Fidelis, meaning "always faithful." The red stripe on the pants is known as the "Blood Stripe," a way to honor fallen and injured Marines.

### At Houston

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Midshipmen | 7 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 20 |
| • Cougars | 7 | 0 | 7 | 14 | 28 |
| Pregame line | Over/Under |
| HOUSTON –2.0 | 47 |
| Statistics | Navy | Houston |
| First downs | 16 | 20 |
| Total yards | 300 | 384 |
| Rushing yards | 202 | 127 |
| Passing yards | 98 | 257 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 33:21 | 26:39 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Navy | Passing | Xavier Arline | 3/6, 83 yards |
| Navy | Rushing | Xavier Arline | 19 rushes, 64 yards, 1 TD |
| Navy | Receiving | Mychal Cooper | 3 receptions, 83 yards |
| Houston | Passing | Clayton Tune | 22/30, 257 yards, 1 TD |
| Houston | Rushing | Alton McCaskill | 17 rushes, 74 yards |
| Houston | Receiving | Christian Trahan | 4 receptions, 65 yards |

### UCF

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Knights | 13 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 30 |
| • Midshipmen | 7 | 10 | 0 | 17 | 34 |
| Pregame line | Over/Under |
| UCF -15.0 | 53 |
| Statistics | UCF | Navy |
| First downs | 17 | 26 |
| Total yards | 326 | 406 |
| Rushing yards | 148 | 348 |
| Passing yards | 178 | 58 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 20:42 | 39:18 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| UCF | Passing | Mikey Keene | 16/26, 178 yards, 2TD, INT |
| UCF | Rushing | Johnny Richardson | 11 carries, 59 yards |
| UCF | Receiving | Brandon Johnson | 4 receptions, 79 yards, 2 TD |
| Navy | Passing | Tai Lavatai | 2/4, 58 yards |
| Navy | Rushing | Carlinos Acie | 11 carries, 85 yards |
| Navy | Receiving | Chance Warren | 1 reception, 49 yards |
This was the Navy Midshipmen's first win since October 17, 2020 when they played at ECU. Navy snapped their losing streak and got their first win this season. Also during this game, the Naval Academy Athletic Association retired former All-American and College Football Hall of Fame safety Chet Moeller's number 48 jersey. Moeller, who was also the East Coast Athletic (ECAC) Player of the Year in 1975, played for the Midshipmen from 1972 to 1975. He is the first defensive player to have his number retired by the Midshipmen.

### No. 24 SMU

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • No. 24 Mustangs | 7 | 14 | 3 | 7 | 31 |
| Midshipmen | 7 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 24 |
| Pregame line | Over/Under |
| SMU –13.5 | 57 |
| Statistics | SMU | Navy |
| First downs | 22 | 12 |
| Total yards | 404 | 241 |
| Rushing yards | 80 | 177 |
| Passing yards | 324 | 64 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 27:41 | 32:19 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| SMU | Passing | Tanner Mordecai | 30/40, 324 yards, 2 TD, INT |
| SMU | Rushing | Tre Siggers | 14 carries, 49 yards, TD |
| SMU | Receiving | Reggie Roberson Jr. | 5 receptions, 100 yards, TD |
| Navy | Passing | Tai Lavatai | 4/7, 64 yards, TD |
| Navy | Rushing | Tai Lavatai | 24 carries, 53 yards |
| Navy | Receiving | Kai Puailoa-Rojas | 1 reception, 37 yards, TD |

### At Memphis

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Midshipmen | 7 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 17 |
| • Tigers | 14 | 14 | 7 | 0 | 35 |
| Pregame line | Over/Under |
| MEMPHIS –11.0 | 56 |
| Statistics | Navy | Memphis |
| First downs | 17 | 15 |
| Total yards | 241 | 415 |
| Rushing yards | 198 | 200 |
| Passing yards | 43 | 215 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 39:19 | 20:41 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Navy | Passing | Tai Lavatai | 3/4, 27 yards, TD |
| Navy | Rushing | Isaac Ruoss | 18 carries, 75 yards |
| Navy | Receiving | Mychal Copper | 1 reception, 21 yards, TD |
| Memphis | Passing | Seth Henigan | 8/12, 215 yards, 2 TD, INT |
| Memphis | Rushing | Calvin Austin III | 1 carry, 69 yards, TD |
| Memphis | Receiving | Eddie Lewis | 3 receptions, 92 yards, TD |

### No. 2 Cincinnati

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • No. 2 Bearcats | 7 | 6 | 14 | 0 | 27 |
| Midshipmen | 7 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 20 |
| Pregame line | Over/Under |
| CINCINNATI -26.5 | 52.5 |
| Statistics | Cincinnati | Navy |
| First downs | 14 | 22 |
| Total yards | 271 | 308 |
| Rushing yards | 21 | 67 |
| Passing yards | 176 | 116 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 20:33 | 39:27 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Cincinnati | Passing | Desmond Ridder | 18/30, 176 yards, 2 TD, INT |
| Cincinnati | Rushing | Jerome Ford | 15 carries, 90 yards, TD |
| Cincinnati | Receiving | Josh Whyle | 4 receptions, 60 yards, 2 TD |
| Navy | Passing | Tai Lavatai | 11/15, 116 yards, INT |
| Navy | Rushing | Isaac Ruoss | 19 carries, 80 yards |
| Navy | Receiving | Kai Puailoa-Rojas | 2 receptions, 47 yards |

### At Tulsa

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Midshipmen | 0 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 20 |
| Golden Hurricane | 0 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 17 |
| Pregame line | Over/Under |
| TULSA –11.0 | 46 |
| Statistics | Navy | Tulsa |
| First downs | 16 | 13 |
| Total yards | 302 | 294 |
| Rushing yards | 302 | 129 |
| Passing yards | 0 | 165 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 37:18 | 22:42 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Navy | Passing | Team | 0/1, 0 yards |
| Navy | Rushing | Carlinos Acie | 3 carries, 80 yards |
| Navy | Receiving | — | — |
| Tulsa | Passing | Davis Brin | 13/23, 165 yards, TD, INT |
| Tulsa | Rushing | Anthony Watkins | 5 carries, 81 yards |
| Tulsa | Receiving | Juancarlos Santana | 7 receptions, 109 yards |

### At No. 10 Notre Dame

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Midshipmen | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 6 |
| • No. 10 Fighting Irish | 0 | 17 | 0 | 17 | 34 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| -21.0 | 48 |
| Statistics | Navy | Notre Dame |
| First downs | 11 | 21 |
| Total yards | 184 | 430 |
| Rushing yards | 166 | 150 |
| Passing yards | 18 | 280 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 34:33 | 25:27 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Navy | Passing | Xavier Arline | 1/2, 18 yards |
| Navy | Rushing | Isaac Ruoss | 22 carries, 73 yards |
| Navy | Receiving | Jayden Umbarger | 1 reception, 18 yards |
| Notre Dame | Passing | Jack Coan | 23/29, 269 yards, TD |
| Notre Dame | Rushing | Kyren Williams | 17 carries, 95 yards, 2 TD |
| Notre Dame | Receiving | Kevin Austin Jr. | 6 receptions, 139 yards, TD |

### East Carolina

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Pirates | 14 | 10 | 0 | 14 | 38 |
| Midshipmen | 7 | 14 | 0 | 14 | 35 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| ECU –3.5 | 46.5 |
| Statistics | East Carolina | Navy |
| First downs | 24 | 17 |
| Total yards | 563 | 382 |
| Rushing yards | 158 | 345 |
| Passing yards | 405 | 37 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 32:40 | 27:20 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| East Carolina | Passing | Holton Ahlers | 27/32, 405 yards, 3 TD |
| East Carolina | Rushing | Keaton Mitchell | 18 carries, 94 yards, TD |
| East Carolina | Receiving | Tyler Snead | 5 receptions, 137 yards, 2 TD |
| Navy | Passing | Tai Lavatai | 4/4, 37 yards, 2 TD |
| Navy | Rushing | Carlinos Acie | 6 carries, 155 yards, TD |
| Navy | Receiving | Mychal Copper | 2 receptions, 31 yards, TD |

### At Temple

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Midshipmen | 7 | 10 | 7 | 14 | 38 |
| Owls | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 14 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| NAVY –13.5 | 42.5 |
| Statistics | Navy | Temple |
| First downs | 21 | 11 |
| Total yards | 291 | 182 |
| Rushing yards | 219 | 84 |
| Passing yards | 72 | 98 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 3 |
| Time of possession | 37:11 | 22:49 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Navy | Passing | Tai Lavatai | 5/11, 57 yards, TD |
| Navy | Rushing | Carlinos Acie | 10 carries, 86 yards, TD |
| Navy | Receiving | Chance Warren | 3 receptions, 43 yards, 2 TD |
| Temple | Passing | Mariano Valenti | 10/14, 73 yards |
| Temple | Rushing | Tayvon Ruley | 9 carries, 68 yards, TD |
| Temple | Receiving | Jose Barbon | 5 receptions, 34 yards |

### Vs. Army

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Black Knights | 10 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
| • Midshipmen | 7 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 17 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| ARMY –7.0 | 35.5 |
| Statistics | Army | Navy |
| First downs | 11 | 13 |
| Total yards | 232 | 278 |
| Rushing yards | 124 | 196 |
| Passing yards | 108 | 92 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 25:35 | 34:25 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Army | Passing | Christian Anderson | 7/15, 108 yards |
| Army | Rushing | Christian Anderson | 9 carries, 67 yards, TD |
| Army | Receiving | Isaiah Alston | 1 reception, 35 yards |
| Navy | Passing | Tai Lavatai | 4/6, 82 yards |
| Navy | Rushing | Tai Lavatai | 20 carries, 62 yards, 2 TD |
| Navy | Receiving | Mychal Copper | 1 reception, 28 yards |
This year's Army-Navy Game uniforms for the Navy Midshipmen spotlight Naval Aviation, namely the carrier-based F/A-18 Super Hornet in a themed uniform named "Fly Navy". The color-rush navy kits feature the current active U.S. Military roundel national insignia, (a white star with white and red stripes), on each shoulder. On the left upper chest is a triangular squadron patch highlighting the Strike Fighter Wing, U.S. Atlantic Fleet based out of Naval Air Station in Oceana, Virginia. The pants have a red stripe between two white stripes running down the side, while the gloves have the "Fly Navy" script on the palms.
The right side of the helmet is emblazoned with "the roundel" while left side of the helmet has a hand-painted F/A-18 Super Hornet ("the Rhino"), which are operated by naval aviators and also the jet flown by the Navy's elite flight demonstration squadron, the Blue Angels. On the back of the helmet, three sets of gold wings are featured which are earned by naval aviators: Single Anchor–Navy Aviators (pilots); Double Anchor–Naval Flight Officers (navigators); and AC–Aircrew.
This year's exclusive Game Ball by Team Issue features the silhouette of an F/A-18 Super Hornet, the U.S. Military Roundel and color scheme, as well as an intricate stitching design around the laces.