Oil Up The Scoreboard Cal’s Passing, Navy’s Rushing Make For Entertaining Aloha

One team prefers moving the ball on the ground, the other through the air. That’s the matchup for today’s Aloha Bowl between Navy and California.

“Contrasting styles, yet productive,” Cal coach Steve Mariucci said. “Makes for an interesting game.”

Navy (8-3), with Chris McCoy and Omar Nelson combining for more than 2,000 yards and 25 touchdowns during the regular season, has been successful running the spread option.

After injuries decimated its ground game, California (6-5) found happiness in the passing of Pat Barnes, who owns several Pac-10 Conference and school records.

Navy was fifth nationally in rushing with 283.6 yards per game. Barnes was eighth in passing efficiency with a 159.1 rating. Cal was third in total offense (310.5 yards per game).

It points to a high-scoring game, since Navy averaged 31.8 points per game and the Bears 31.3.

But, with all of the pregame hype on the offenses, the defenses shouldn’t be overlooked.

“We’ve had several practices to prepare for that offense because in a normal game week, it would be a real pain to get ready for it,” Mariucci said.

“Normally, you have 11 people chasing the ball. Everything you’ve taught, you have to undo because you have to have somebody on the fullback, somebody on the quarterback, somebody on the pitchman.”

“It’s weird because you’re not always going after the ball,” Cal defensive end Andy Jacobs said. “You’re just going after your man.”

Navy coach Charlie Weatherbie is concerned about Barnes and contending with a bigger opponent.

“We’ve got to control the ball,” Weatherbie said.