Beard grows on Midshipmen

Coming off a season when opponents torched Navy’s defense for more than 420 yards a game, the Midshipmen planned to attack the ball with a speed oriented defense this year.

The key position in their new three-man line was up the middle, where the Mids had a couple top options for filling the nose guard spot. Senior Kevin Schwind, the beefiest body on defense (286 pounds), was hungry to play after a serious leg injury forced him to withdraw from the academy last fall. And junior Babatunde Akingbemi, the second largest body on defense (273 pounds), showed an ability to get into opponents’ backfields last year.

So much for planning. The nose guard who has had the largest impact through the Mids’ first three games is 227-pound sophomore Evan Beard, who was third on the preseason depth chart at inside linebacker and who was lining up on the other side of the football a year ago.

“I knew we had some good athletes ahead of me at fullback,” Beard said. “I went to Coach [Paul Johnson] and asked him if there were any other positions where he thought I had a better chance at getting on the field, and he said my speed would fit in with the new defense.”

Beard opened fall practice as a linebacker but is now a cornerstone in the Mids’ nickel defense that looks to shut down Rutgers today and help the Mids to their first 3-1 start since 1996.

Accompanying Beard in the nickel formation is defensive end Jeff Vanak and linebacker Jeremy Chase, who shifts from his regular position to join Beard and Vanak on the line. Though the trio is among the smallest defensive line combinations in the country, averaging just 234 pounds, it has been the most active group in Navy’s vastly improved defense.

Beard and Chase are tied for the team lead in sacks with two each. Vanak and Chase lead the team with 3.5 tackles for losses. Vanak and Beard have forced a fumble.

The group has contributed in other ways to the Mids’ national best 2.33 turnover margin. Constant pressure against Eastern Michigan quarterback Chinedu Okoro forced four first-half interceptions in the Mids’ 39-7 win last week. But with the game still scoreless and Eastern Michigan driving in the first quarter, Navy’s line made its presence felt.

With the Eagles in the red zone, Chase came flying off the left end practically unblocked and forced Okoro to throw quickly toward the end zone. Safety Josh Smith intercepted, and the Mids were out of danger.

With Rutgers (2-1) struggling to run the ball in the first month of the season, the Mids will be able to key on the pass and get their playmakers on the field — playmakers that Vanak didn’t think would develop so quickly.

“I remember the first time we lined up in practice with those guys on the line I didn’t think we’d have a chance,” Vanak said. “Now that it’s working, and as the only lineman out there, I wonder if I’m the next to go. I think the coaches are trying to tell me something.”