PITTSBURGH - The option offense dates back approximately 40 years. Its heyday was in the early 1970s, when Oklahoma, Alabama and Nebraska annually contended for national championships running some form of the run-based attack.
With the spread offense currently in vogue, few college football teams remain dedicated to the option.
One of those programs is Navy, which runs a highly efficient triple option among many packages. The option offense has carried the Midshipmen to a 47-22 record the past six years. One of the victories came last year in double overtime at Pitt.
"I remember coming out of that game being disappointed because we spent so much time on the triple option," Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt said during Monday's weekly press conference. "They scored points and beat us by throwing the football."
Navy rushed for 331 yards on 70 carries during last year's 48-45 victory at Heinz Field but quarterback Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada completed nine passes for 166 yards and two scores, including a 25-yarder to Reggie Campbell in the first overtime.
No. 23 Pitt (4-1, 2-0 Big East), winner of four straight, gets another shot at stopping the deceptive triple option Saturday when it travels to Navy (4-2).
"They run the triple option, the load option. They run lead plays with the quarterback. They run a trap option and the toss is a big play for them," Wannstedt said. "They have multiple ways of blocking each play and multiple ways in each formation."
The quarterback, whether it is Kaheaku-Enhada or backup Jarod Bryant, and fullback are keys to the offense and, last year, Pitt failed to stop either.
Kaheaku-Enhada rushed for 122 yards, while fullbacks Eric Kettani and Adam Ballard combined for 133 yards on 29 carries.
"When you look at last year, the game caught us off guard," Pitt linebacker Scott McKillop said. "We just have to read our keys. It's going to be physical along both sides of the line of scrimmage."
Last year, Pitt was criticized for not attacking the Navy offense.
"We have to be aggressive," McKillop added. "What they want to do is establish the fullback and get him his carries. Last year, he got six, seven yards every time."
The Panthers' defense has played well under new coordinator Phil Bennett, who replaced Paul Rhoads.
Pitt, which hasn't played since a 26-21 win at South Florida on Oct. 2, leads the Big East in sacks (17), fewest first downs (16.4 per game) and ranks 27th nationally in total defense.
Navy, after losing games to Ball State and Duke, has won three straight, including a 24-17 victory at then No. 16 Wake Forest. The Midshipmen rank third in the nation with 313.5 rushing yards per game.
"Navy's record speaks for itself. They are one of the top rushing teams in the country," Wannstedt said. "We need to be prepared to play and match that energy and play at a high level for 60 minutes."
Bits and pieces
Pitt's next home game, Oct. 25 against Rutgers, will kick off at 3:30 p.m. It will not be televised. ... Panthers linebacker Shane Murray, who played sparingly against Syracuse, is out for the Navy game and could miss the rest of the season. ... Pitt leads the nation in fewest penalties per game (3.2) and fewest penalty yards per game (21.8). Navy ranks second nationally in both categories.