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Navy is bringing the option offense back to Western Kentucky.
It's something that Western Kentucky coach Willie Taggart is familiar with - he ran it when he was a Hilltopper quarterback in the late 1990s.
''For me personally, I understand what they're trying to do and they're going to do what they do,'' Taggart said. ''They'll lull you to sleep and hit you with something big.''
Watching film of Navy's offense brought back memories for Taggart. It also reminded him of how he hopes the Hilltoppers stop the triple option with discipline and hard hits on the quarterback.
''I know what it was like for me and what I didn't like playing that position,'' Taggart said. ''I didn't like people hitting me. I can't imagine a lot of quarterbacks like getting hit. We've got do a good job of hitting that quarterback. He's a pretty good player.''
Navy's triple-option starts with quarterback Kriss Proctor, who has the choice to keep the ball, hand it off or pitch it to a running back. Proctor rushed 22 times for 176 yards last Saturday in a season-opening win over Delaware and attempted just seven passes.
The Hilltoppers' only other meeting with the Midshipmen, a 38-22 loss in Annapolis in 2009, was a coming out party for their own quarterback, Kawaun Jakes. In his first career start, Jakes completed 22 of 28 passes and threw for two touchdowns.
WKU's passing game has been a struggle ever since, adding to the Hilltoppers' frustration during a home losing streak that dates back to September 2008.
''I feel like we got to that point now where we're fixing to start winning and take care of business,'' said linebacker Andrew Jackson, who led Western Kentucky with 12 tackles against Kentucky.
Navy's run-based system is a change-up compared to the spread and pro-style offenses the Hilltoppers often face, including in their 14-3 loss to the Wildcats.
''But sometimes different is good,'' defensive coordinator Lance Guidry said.
WKU held the Kentucky to 190 yards and maintained a one-possession deficit for most of the game - good enough to earn ''at least a B-plus'' grade from Guidry.
This week the Hilltoppers will play an assignment-based defense to defend the triple option.
''Sometimes when you play well and come back and play the same type of team, you get complacent,'' Guidry said.
To earn an A grade from the first-year defensive coordinator, the Hilltoppers need to force more turnovers. Jakes' four interceptions against Kentucky overmatched the three picks compiled by WKU's defense.
Guidry would also like to see the Hilltoppers not become overwhelmed by the option.
''It's old-school football,'' Guidry said. ''You don't want to make a big, big deal out of it because it still comes down to tackling.''
The Hilltoppers start their season with four straight home games, though last week's game against Kentucky was played at Nashville's LP Field. On Saturday, WKU will hand out American flags to every fan to honor the 10th anniversary of 9/11.
