Capital Gazette · Aug 25, 2017
Sophomore takes over as Navy starting punter
Starting punter Erik Harris has been suspended from the Navy football team due to a violation of academy rules. Harris, who averaged 45.1 yards on 10 punts last season while sharing the job with Alex Barta, did not attend practice all last week and will miss next Friday’s season opener at Florida Atlantic University.
Harris, a junior, was also the holder on placekicks – meaning the Midshipmen have two positions to fill.
Head coach Ken Niumatalolo was initially concerned about having to suspend Harris as no other punter on the roster has ever done so in a game. That was before Niumatalolo watched Owen White punt during practice this past week.