Navy football’s focus and dedication have allowed the Mids to handle success throughout their 3-0 start.
Senior safety Rayuan Lane III says that won’t change after a 56-44 win against Memphis on Sept. 21.
“We have this saying that says, ‘Don’t choke on the sugar,'” Lane said on Glenn Clark Radio Sept. 25. “[The offense is] going to keep grinding, we’re going to keep grinding in practice and stuff like that and they’re going to keep putting out so it’s definitely exciting to see that.”
Navy kicked off its AAC campaign with a thrilling showdown against Memphis. The Mids trailed 7-0 and 14-7 early but led by as many as 19 in the fourth quarter. But it was Lane who delivered a game-clinching 86-yard interception return for a touchdown with just 46 seconds left.
“Just an overall feeling of excitement,” Lane said. “We work day in and day out to be able to win big games and things like that, so just being able to obviously make that play and seal the game and come off with the win and be able to celebrate with my teammates, with the whole school and stuff like that, it was overall an awesome feeling.”
Navy accumulated 566 yards of total offense against Memphis, its highest output since 2019 and the 29th-highest in program history. Navy will look to keep it going on the road, with trips to UAB and Air Force on deck.
Lane has emerged as a true leader, with a mentality shaped by his experience. He recognizes that the toughest challenge in any sport is maintaining consistency. For Lane, it’s about continuing to drive forward and pushing himself to new limits. This relentless pursuit defines his approach, both on and off the field.
The 5-foot-11, 197-pound safety out of Gilman School has recorded 12 tackles and one pass breakup this year, in addition to the pick-six. He’s far from satisfied.
“When things are going good you don’t want somebody basically like patting on your back and then you get complacent and then you end up falling off or anything like that,” Lane said. “You want keep on attacking with the same mentality in order so you can perform the next time and the next time and the next time.”
Lane credits Navy’s coaching staff for the Mids’ success this year. The defense has room for improvement, but the way the group practices allows it to grow in a program-changing way.
“I really think one of the biggest things is how [the coaching staff approaches] practice, how they expect us to approach practice and stuff like that,” Lane said. “If you come out to practice, we’re running on and off the field, we’re going full speed no matter what the drill is. It’s always full speed, and effort is always emphasized in no matter what drill we are doing. Just being able to focus on that and then when it comes to the game, that’s basically muscle memory, like running to the ball and just different things like that may cover up on certain mistakes that could possibly happen.”
As the season progresses, the drive and determination of Navy remains the reason for its success. The team’s relentless effort in practice and on game days has become a defining feature of their approach, fueling exciting performances week after week, including against Memphis.
“Just making sure that we stay in the moment,” Lane said. “We cannot do anything about past plays, like it has to be a next-play mentality. Just ensuring that you have each and every one of your teammates’ back and you know that they have your back. And just being able to go out there with your trust in your teammates is really what kept us in it.”
For more from Lane, listen to the full interview here:
Photo Credit: Kenya Allen/PressBox