The SMU football team (6-3) will play host to the United States Naval Academy (3-6) on Saturday, November 12, as the two teams battle for the right to keep the Gansz Trophy at their respective campus for the next year. The Gansz Trophy was created in 2009 in honor of Frank Gansz, who played linebacker at the Naval Academy and served as the special teams coach for SMU until his death in 2009.

SMU and Navy have played one another since 1930 but have only played 15 games in that span. Navy holds a slight edge over the Mustangs, 8-7, but have won the last four meetings between the team. However, Navy will be fighting for more than just the Gansz Trophy on Saturday. The Midshipmen need to win out their final three games to be bowl-eligible and maintain their streak of eight consecutive bowl appearances.

After two straight losses in which the SMU offense was basically non-existant, the squad finally clicked into gear against Tulane University last week. Quarterback J.J. McDermott, despite playing with a chipped bone in his right foot, completed 29 passes for 322 yards and three touchdowns. Running back Zach Line, the No. 8 rusher in the nation and Doak Walker semifinalist, carried the ball for 143 yards and three touchdowns. With their 45-24 win over the Green Wave, SMU became bowl eligible for the third straight season. With a win against Navy on Saturday, SMU would guarantee itself another bowl appearance.

Against the Mustangs' Run and Shoot offense, the Midshipmen will run their own unique brand of offense: the Triple Option. The Triple Option is a style of football that focuses primarily on running the ball and confusing defenses by having three potential ball carriers on any one play. Last week, against Troy, Navy rushed for 390 yards and on the season, the Midshipmen are the No. 3 rushing team in the nation.

The game is scheduled to kickoff at 2:30 p.m.

Photo courtesy of Rob Graham