WASHINGTON — It was a relatively straightforward question, but Jeff Deliz still had to stop and think for a second to come up with the answer: Who was the last person to score a touchdown against the Navy defense this season?

"Ummm, I don't remember," the senior safety said. "Who did we play before Northern Illinois? Notre Dame. It was the running back. I think. Yeah. The running back."

Deliz was right. Notre Dame halfback Robert Hughes scored on a seven-yard run with 3 minutes 29 seconds left in the third quarter of the Fighting Irish's 27-21 victory Nov. 15 — it was the last time a touchdown was scored against the Midshipmen. Hughes' teammate, Brandon Walker, kicked a 36-yard field goal with 11:17 remaining in the game — it was the last time any points were scored against the Midshipmen.

Navy's defense, which was so maligned at the beginning of the season, enters today's inaugural EagleBank Bowl at RFK Stadium with great confidence, having posted shutouts in its last two games (16-0 at Northern Illinois and 34-0 against Army). The Midshipmen (8-4) will face a Wake Forest team that they upset earlier this season, 24-17, in part because of a dominating defensive performance.

A year ago, Navy ranked 108th in Division I-A in scoring defense, giving up 36.4 points per game. This season, the Midshipmen are giving up 21.4 points per game, a 15-point swing that makes them the most improved unit in terms of scoring defense in the country. Navy has forced 29 turnovers (including 16 interceptions), nearly twice as many as it did last season (16 total).

Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo, a Radford High and University of Hawai'i alum, credited longtime defensive coordinator Buddy Green with the steady turnaround of the defense. Green, in turn, pointed to two things that have helped the Midshipmen this season: experience and continuity.

The Midshipmen have stayed relatively healthy, aside from losing left end Michael Walsh to a season-ending foot injury. They've been able to rely on the same core group of players. Last season, injuries decimated the defense, forcing young, inexperienced players into the line-up; 23 players started on defense over the course of the season.

"It was like musical chairs," Green said. "A lot of guys were playing. ... We knew that some guys had to grow up. Unfortunately we took our lumps as they were growing up."

Navy's triple-option offense will be led by senior quarterback Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada, a Kapolei High alum. He has missed seven games this season with a hamstring injury.

The Midshipmen lead NCAA Bowl Subdivision teams with 298 rushing yards per game. Slotback Shun White is the leading rusher with 1,021 yards.

Navy's coaches and players point to their 23-21 victory over Rutgers on Sept. 20 as being one of the key moments of their season. At the time, the Midshipmen were 1-2, had given up a total of 76 points in back-to-back losses at Ball State and Duke, and were looking at a difficult four-game stretch (Rutgers, at Wake Forest, at Air Force, Pittsburgh).

Against Rutgers, the Midshipmen turned to their defense to win the game; they needed to protect a two-point lead over the final two minutes. Junior linebacker Ross Pospisil sealed the victory with an interception. A week later at then-No. 16 and undefeated Wake Forest, Pospisil intercepted the third pass of the game, the first of six turnovers forced by Navy.

"At the end of the Rutgers game, I think as a defense we saw a glimpse of when we play together as a team, the kind of possibilities that could be there," Pospisil said. "But with a game like (Rutgers), it's just one game. Being able to string together another game right behind that, in a lot of guys' minds just brought confidence. ... A lot of football is just believing. It's a total mentality. I think it did a lot for that."

NEW MEXICO BOWL

Fresno State (7-5) vs. Colorado State (6-6), 9:30 a.m. (ESPN)

Line: Fresno State by 2 1/2.

Series Record: Colorado State leads 6-5.

Last meeting: 2006, Colorado State 35-23.

What's at Stake: Fresno State coach Pat Hill is seeking eight-win season for the eighth time in 10 years. Colorado State hasn't won a bowl game since beating North Texas, 45-20, at the New Orleans Bowl in 2001.

Keep an eye on: Colorado State bruising running back Gartrell Johnson, who is at 1,191 yards this season.

Player goodies: RCA video camcorder. Oakley Holeshot Three-hand watch, Oakley beanie, New Era cap, Ogio travel bag, Oakley backpack, One-year subscription to ESPN The Magazine.

ST. PETERSBURG (FLA.) BOWL

Memphis (6-6) vs. South Florida (7-5), 11:30 a.m. (ESPN2)

Line: South Florida by 11 1/2.

Series Record: Tied 2-2.

Last Meeting: 2004, Memphis 31-15.

What's At Stake: A winning record for Memphis, which rebounded from an 0-3 start to win six of its last nine to become bowl eligible. South Florida stumbled badly after winning its first five games and climbing into the Top 10. The Bulls dropped five of seven in Big East play and are looking to finish on a positive note after losing their regular-season finale at West Virginia.

Keep an eye on: South Florida quarterback Matt Grothe. He also has his own website.

Player goodies: Pure Digital Flip mini-camcorder, Sony noise-canceling headphones, Floppy hat and Osio bag.

LAS VEGAS BOWL

No. 17 BYU (10-2) vs. Arizona (7-5), 3 p.m. (ESPN)

Line: Arizona by 3.

Series Record: Arizona leads 11-9-1.

Last Meeting: 2007, BYU won 20-7.

What's at Stake: $1 million total payout; BYU would win its third straight Las Vegas Bowl, Arizona would win its first bowl game in 10 years.

Keep an eye on: BYU quarterback Max Hall, who leads a high-powered offense.

Player goodies: System bundle package, Oakley Holeshot Three-Hand watch, Oakley Hijinx sunglasses, hat.