Coach Ken Niumatalolo was effusive in his praise for quarterback Zach Abey following Navy’s 42-32 defeat of Cincinnati.

Abey directed the triple-option offense as the Midshipmen almost established a school record for rushing yards with 569. The Archbishop Spalding product also completed 2 of 3 passes, hooking up with wide receiver Tyler Carmona for a 19-yard touchdown and a 34-yard completion that set up a score.

“I’m very proud of Zach. I tell you, the kid played really, really well today,” Niumatalolo said during the post-game press conference.

Niumatalolo reiterated those thoughts after practice on Wednesday, praising Abey for his command of the offense. “I thought Zach ran our offense really well. Just really pleased with the way he progressed in that game,” Niumatalolo said.

Offensive coordinator Ivin Jasper seconded that assessment after reviewing the tape. Jasper, who personally coaches the quarterbacks, gave Abey fairly high marks all-around.

“It was Zach’s most complete game so far. He made good decisions, took care of the football and got it where it needed to be,” Jasper said.

It appeared Abey did a fine job of reading the defense and distributing the ball based off how the Bearcats were playing. Jasper confirmed there were not many bad reads by the junior signal-caller.

“Zach was very solid in the option game. He knew when to hand off, when to pull it out and when to deal it,” Jasper said. “I thought he was very solid in the read game and made a lot of great decisions.”

Jasper said Cincinnati’s defensive game-plan was to take away the fullback and force Abey to carry the ball to the perimeter. The Bearcats were then trying to trick the quarterback into turning upfield where defenders were waiting, Jasper said.

Abey correctly read the defensive end crashing down on the fullback and repeatedly pulled the ball. However, the first-year starter recognized what the defense was doing and drew a defender before pitching the ball.

It was a slotback day with Malcolm Perry, Josh Brown, Tre Walker and company carrying the ball 28 times for 333 yards.

“They wanted Zach to keep it so we told him to make them tackle you,” said Jasper, meaning the quarterback had to make the defensive back commit. “He did a really good job of drawing and dishing to the slots.”

Malcom on the outside:Navy tried to get the ball to Perry during the first couple games and it just didn’t work out. Against Florida Atlantic, an inside handoff was well defended while a misdirection play that would have gone for big yardage was foiled by a poor pitch from Abey.

Tulane played a similar style of defense as Florida Atlantic, which meant it was an inside game with the quarterback and fullbacks primarily carrying the ball. Perry only got two pitchouts, turning one into a 16-yard gain by juking a defender at the line of scrimmage and making another would-be tackler miss.

Perry has been touted as the team’s most dynamic runner as he possesses a superb combination of speed, quickness and moves. That smooth style was on display against Cincinnati as the precocious sophomore picked up a career-high 100 yards on 10 attempts.

“It was good to see Malcolm get the ball and make things happen. He made some really good runs on Saturday,” Navy slotbacks coach Danny O’Rourke said.

Injury report:Speaking to reporters after practice on Wednesday, Niumatalolo downgraded starting slotback Darryl Bonner to doubtful for Saturday’s game at Tulsa. Bonner has been unable to completely participate in practice because of a high ankle sprain.

“Right now it’s doubtful. We still have a couple more days and we’ll see how it goes,” said Niumatalolo, who had termed Bonner as “questionable” just one day before.

Junior Tre Walker had replaced Bonner in the starting lineup. However, Walker has been lost for the season to a knee injury that will require surgery.

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