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	Sunday, September 3 Navigating early schedule is Navy's toughest test
	By Scott Brown Special to ESPN.com Navy Midshipmen 1999 record: 5-7 Coach: Charlie Weatherbie Returning starters: 13 (6 offense, 7 defense) Outlooks A winning season and bowl game looked a lot more realistic before QB Brian Madden went down with a torn anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his right knee during Navy's spring game. Madden led all I-A quarterbacks in rushing last year (897 yards) despite starting just five games. Fortunately for the Middies, his replacement, Brian Broadwater, started seven games last year before fracturing his clavicle. He is a better passer than Madden, and the senior co-captain has added 10 pounds of muscle to help him withstand the rigors of running the option. Navy returns three starters up front, including 6-5, 300-pound tackle Hoot Stahl. The backfield lost speedster Dre Brittingham, who was suspended indefinitely after being indicted on a felony charge, but fullback Raheem Lambert could be poised for a 1,000-yard rushing season after gaining 790 yards last season. Marlon Terrell has been moved from fullback to running back and should step in for Brittingham. If Navy's undersized line can hold its own this season, the defense has a chance to be very good. The linebacking corps led by Shaka Martin and Ryan Hamilton is strong, and free safety Chris Lepore (127 tackles last season) is the leading returner in an experienced secondary. In a 28-24 loss to Notre Dame last season, Lepore registered 20 tackles and a sack. He also caused a fumble, recovered a fumble and blocked a punt that was recovered in the end zone for a touchdown. Keep an eye on ... Navy's Oct. 16 game against Notre Dame in the Florida Citrus Bowl in Orlando. Who knows what kind of physical shape with Irish will be in after their first five games? Plus Navy threw a major scare into Notre Dame last year. It's a good season if ... Navy can match last season's total in wins. A schedule that includes Georgia Tech, Boston College, TCU, Air Force and Notre Dame in five of the first six weeks will make it tough for the Middies to post a winning record. Scott Brown covers UCF for Florida Today		AROUND THE INDEPENDENTS UCF Connecticut La.-Lafayette La.-Monroe Louisiana Tech Middle Tenn. St. Navy Notre Dame ALSO SEE Irish no longer the king of the independents