NEW ORLEANS – Navy had a unique and interesting offensive game plan against Tulane, which defended the triple option as well as any opponent last season.

The Green Wave returned eight starters on defense, including first-team All-American Athletic Conference selections in defensive tackle Tanzel Smart and outside linebacker Nico Marley.

Offfensive coordinator Ivin Jasper knew the Midshipmen might struggle to move the football. They did, as Navy had to earn every yard in a 21-14 victory over Tulane on Saturday night at Yulman Stadium.

“It's exactly what we expected. It was going to be a slugfest, a grind-it-out type of game,” Jasper said.

Jasper pulled somewhat of a surprise by calling pass plays on six of seven downs on Navy's opening possession. Quarterback Will Worth finished with 12 attempts, completing five for 59 yards.

“We knew they would be loaded up to stop the run. We had to try to back them off a bit,” Jasper explained. “We just wanted to give them a different look.”

Dropping back to throw so often on the first series set up the quarterback draw, which Jasper called three times on Navy's second possession. However, the threat of deep throws did not stop Tulane from stacking the box with nine and 10 defenders.

Tulane's defensive strategy led Jasper to use the tight formation for the bulk of the game. That involves bringing the wide receivers in close to the line of scrimmage so they can help block linebackers and safeties.

“We had to account for all those guys inside, and we were also trying to get some two-for-one blocking schemes,” Jasper said. “It's been our best formation. We have a lot of answers out of it, both blocking-wise and throwing the ball.”

Worth had career highs for rushing yards (111) and carries (26). Tulane was determined to take away the fullback, which is why Chris High and Shawn White combined for only 57 yards on 11 attempts. Almost half that total came on a 26-yard run by High.

“We knew they were going to try to make Will carry the football. I thought we could use the mid-line to pick up three and four yards inside, which we did do a good job of at times,” Jasper said. “At the same time, we have some very talented slots and we had to get the ball in their hands.”

Navy pitched the ball to the slotbacks four times in the first half and produced just 32 yards, 18 on one run by Toneo Gulley. Slotbacks got 10 pitches in the second half and were able to break some big gains.

“At halftime, we made some adjustments and got a hat for a hat as far as blocking on the perimeter,” Jasper said. “We got the ball out there and Gulley made some great runs, Dishan made some nice runs. When it came down to it, let's do what we do best. We had to find a way to get the ball to our playmakers.”

After managing only 139 total yards in the first half, Navy found some answers in the second half. The Mids amassed 207 of their 287 rushing yards after intermission as the Green Wave defense wore down.

“We were able to pick up some chunks of yardage here and there,” Jasper said. “We would have had more to show for it if we didn't turn the football over.”

Worth showed his leadership and determination by directing a long touchdown drive when Navy needed it most. The Mids took over at their own 28-yard line following a missed field goal and proceeded to march 72 yards in 10 plays while taking almost five minutes off the clock.

“We just want Will to be who he is and do what he does best,” Jasper said. “He's a hard-nosed kid with good size and strength who doesn't go down easily.”