PHILADELPHIA » The transition was smooth, and everything in Ken Niumatalolo's background made sure things stayed that way.

Taking over as Navy's football coach for Paul Johnson, who resigned just before the Poinsettia Bowl last December, Niumatalolo didn't miss a beat. Schooled in the triple-option offense since playing for Johnson as quarterback at the University of Hawaii, Niumatalolo immediately instituted the system he knows best.

“;This is an offense I've been running since college and there was no need to change,”; Niumatalolo said. “;Plus, I'm familiar with the players, and the option is a sound offense. Coach Johnson proved what an option could do.”;

As a result, Navy's offense continues to function on all cylinders.

The Mids lead the nation in rushing this year, as they did under Johnson, and are poised to defeat Army for the seventh straight time Saturday at Lincoln Financial Field. Should they finish as the best running team in the nation, they will capture their fourth straight national rushing title, and fifth since 2003.

When Johnson installed the triple option, Navy's fortunes rose dramatically. The Mids quickly ranked among the top teams running the ball and the wins increased. In Johnson's final five years at Annapolis, the Mids recorded 43 wins, including a 10-2 season in 2004.

During that time, Niumatalolo was at Johnson's side, taking notes and instructing players as offensive coordinator. When Johnson left the academy for Georgia Tech last December, Niumatalolo was the natural choice to assume the head coaching position.

“;Already, he's left his mark on the program,”; said senior quarterback Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada, who was recruited out of Kapolei High by Niumatalolo. “;He helped to run that offense for a long time, and the triple option has certainly worked for us. It's the kind of offense you can install anywhere.”;

While continuing with a proven system was rather simple, Niumatalolo has had difficulty finding the parts to operate his engine. Kaheaku-Enhada was slated to engineer the offense, but suffered a partial tear to his left hamstring in a preseason scrimmage, and played in only four games this season.

Senior Jarod Bryant stepped in and replaced Kaheaku-Enhada for most of the season. Sophomore Ricky Dobbs started the last game, a 16-0 win at Northern Illinois, giving the Mids three qualified achievers. The starting quarterback decision for Army this week, Niumatalolo said, comes down to Kaheaku-Enhada's health. If the senior is 100 percent, he will start.

“;Using three quarterbacks has been a tough go,”; Niumatalolo pointed out. “;Each plays differently and it's difficult to get a rhythm and chemistry in there. To their credit, each has played well, and we have won games with each one.”;

Right now, it's Army on the mind, but a hometown reunion is waiting on the horizon.

A native of Laie who played his high school football at Radford, Niumatalolo is looking forward to returning to the islands next season when Navy and Hawaii play Nov. 21.

“;It's a very special deal for the team to go to Hawaii,”; he said. “;There is so much naval history and visits to Pearl Harbor and the Arizona site is part of the school and an important part of the nation's history.”;