PHILADELPHIA » There was little doubt that Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada would start and be effective against Army yesterday.

Despite a left hamstring injury that kept the Kapolei alumnus out of the Navy lineup for seven of the Midshipmen's previous 11 games, Kaheaku-Enhada pronounced himself fit for duty earlier this week.

“;I texted (Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo) on Monday and told him I'm ready,”; Kaheaku-Enhada said after guiding Navy to a 34-0 win, and playing the entire game. “;I had not done much of anything all season, and wanted to get out there and help them out.”;

Kaheaku-Enhada tested his hamstring immediately.

After Army went three and out following the opening kickoff, Navy took possession at its 27. Fullback Eric Kettani picked up 3 yards and then Kaheaku-Enhada, executing the quarterback option in Navy's triple-option offense, gained 5 yards.

That set up a third and 2 from the Midshipmen's 35 as Shun White proceeded to take it to the house on a 65-yard touchdown run down the left sideline. Since that early 7-0 advantage, Navy applied defensive pressure and scored enough to keep this one out of Army's reach.

For the game, Kaheaku-Enhada finished with 14 carries for 48 yards, and completed three of 10 passes for 34 yards.

Afterward, he played coy about his condition.

“;Was I 100 percent?”; he said in response to a reporter's question. “;Who knows, and I don't know.”;

In the end, it was unlikely Niumatalolo would have started Jarod Bryant or Ricky Dobbs.

“;Kaipo has the experience and a feel for the game you can't coach,”; Niumatalolo said. “;He's played before big crowds, like that overtime game last year against Notre Dame and the last few years in this game. I thought he was close to 100 percent after practice on Thursday, and that's when I made the decision to start him.”;