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UNIVERSITY PARK - Navy week is, let's just say, not SMU defensive coordinator Tom Mason's favorite.
Preparing for the Midshipmen's triple-option rushing attack is always difficult. SMU won't face a similar offense the rest of the season, and pass-oriented Houston visits next week in a key Conference USA game. And just try to get the scout team to mimic the Midshipmen's speed. Navy ranks 10th in the Football Bowl Subdivision with 260.2 rushing yards per game.
But winning Saturday at Annapolis would continue SMU's momentum with a third straight win while ending a 19-game nonconference road losing streak.
"Well, shoot, you just have to stay with what you do defensively and tweak it for option schemes," Mason said. "The worst thing you can do is try to reinvent something. You have three days to get ready for an offense you're never going to see again."
SMU held Navy to 100 yards in the first half last season but wore down, giving up a 21-7 halftime lead and losing, 38-35, in overtime. Mustangs kicker Matt Szymanski missed a 43-yard field goal attempt to set up Navy's win.
"It's just a hard offense to stop," SMU coach June Jones said. "They're very disciplined."
SMU, which limited Tulsa and its ninth-ranked offense to 18 points last week, spends a couple of days during the spring and fall camp on the triple-option. Players will wear knee braces this week in preparation for Navy's cut-blocking.
No return: Receiver Darius Johnson will no longer field punts after he again muffed a punt deep in SMU territory during last week's win over Tulsa. SMU recovered, but Johnson had previously lost two punts that were recovered for touchdowns by opponents. Cornerback Richard Crawford will replace Johnson.
Briefly: Jones coached Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo - "Kenny," to Jones - during Jones' first season as Hawaii's quarterbacks coach in 1983. "He was a student of the game as a player, too," Jones said. ... Navy enters Saturday's game ranked No. 3 in the nation in pass defense, allowing 141.4 yards per game. SMU passed for a combined 752 yards in its last two games, against Rice and Tulsa, two of the worst pass defenses in the FBS. Navy has allowed 17.6 points per game and its opposition has converted on 20 of 63 third-down opportunities (.323) - both among the top 25 nationally.
AD seeking contract extension
Athletic director Steve Orsini is in the final year of his initial five-year contract with SMU. Asked about his status Tuesday, Orsini said he looks forward to extending the deal when the time is right.
Orsini, who makes more than $400,000 a year according to the latest available tax records, said he has shared his desire to remain at SMU with the university.
"And I believe it to be mutual," he said.
Orsini hired football coach June Jones, who last season led SMU to its first bowl game in 25 years. He also hired men's basketball coach Matt Doherty, who has yet to have a winning record in four seasons at SMU but is under contract through the 2012-13 season.
Kate Hairopoulos
