Murray right in step for Mids

Navy fullback Vince Murray just gets better and better with each game.

Murray established a career-high for the second straight game by rushing for 175 yards on 27 carries in yesterday's 13-10 victory over Wake Forest. The 6-foot-1, 217-pound junior showed his improved vision and cutback ability by breaking runs of 42 and 35 yards.

"Vince Murray played his butt off. He's getting more and more confident with our offense. In the Air Force game, I thought he ran with his head down and was unsure of himself," Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo said. "He's a tough, hard-nosed kid and with every week is gaining more and more confidence."

Center Curtis Bass teamed with guards Osei Asante and David Hong to consistently block Wake Forest nose guard Boo Robinson (6-2, 295) and tackle John Russell (6-,4 280).

"Give Vince his due because he ran hard, but also give credit to the offensive line for blocking. A lot of those runs that Vince got were because the guys inside did a nice job inside on two very good interior guys," Niumatalolo said.

Murray, who averaged 6.5 yards per carry, praised quarterback Kriss Proctor for making good decisions with the ball. Proctor was effective at reading the defense and handling the mesh with the fullback in his first career start.

"Kriss did a great job of making the right read and making it quick," Murray said.

Wake Forest's defense withered toward the end of the game as Navy continually pounded the fullback up the middle. "It's a tribute to our offensive line. They came off the ball real hard and did a great job of wearing them out," Murray said.

SOUND KICKING: Navy performed extremely well in the kicking game yesterday. Placekicker Joe Buckley made both of his field goal attempts - nailing a career-long 50-yarder and also a 41-yarder. Kyle Delahooke averaged a phenomenal 48.5 yards on four punts - booming a career-long 68-yarder to pin Wake Forest back deep in its own territory late in the fourth quarter after uncorking a 65-yarder in the first quarter.

Meanwhile, Jon Teague averaged nearly 65 yards on four kickoffs with one going out of the end zone for a touchback.

"Kyle did a great job of changing field position, Buckley made some big kicks and Jon Teague made them start in some poor positions," Niumatalolo said.

That Buckley could make two long field goals on a day there were strong winds and heavy rains was impressive. "The snapper, the holder… all the mechanics you take for granted are tougher in conditions like these. You need to take extra caution with all those things," Niumatalolo said.

Buckley also praised long snapper Brian Ackerman and holder Greg Zingler. "Each day I become more comfortable with Ackerman and Zingler. I can't give enough credit to those guys. It's unbelievable how full circle we've come since camp."

INJURY REPORT: Navy played without three offensive starters in quarterback Ricky Dobbs (knee), slotback Marcus Curry (quadriceps) and wide receiver Mike Schupp (sick).

The Midshipmen lost starting cornerback Kevin Edwards during the game to a shoulder injury while outside linebacker Ram Vela came off the field twice after being shaken up.

MID BITS: Fullback Alexander Teich played for the first time since suffering an ankle injury against Air Force and carried the ball twice for 35 yards. He broke a 31-yard run. … Freshman Bo Snelson returned a kickoff for the first time in his brief career and gained 12 yards. … Defensive end Matt Nechak notched his first sack of the season. … The 13 points were the fewest scored by Navy in a victory since a 10-6 win over Rutgers to open the 1996 season. … Navy did not attempt a pass for the second time in two seasons. In last season's win over SMU, Navy became the first team since Ohio in 1997 to play a game without throwing the ball. … Navy has now won 36 of its last 39 games when scoring first. … Navy's 338 yards rushing were the most allowed by Wake Forest this season.