10/11/09

Observations from an Olde Poolie - NAVY 63 Rice 14



NAVY FOOTBALL No. 6 Observations from an Olde Poolie

October 10, 2009: NAVY 63 Rice 14. On an overcast day in Houston before 15,000 fans Navy’s football team got it’s option offense on track and rolled over the hapless Rice Owls. Navy’s defense played extremely well and the offense was in sync. After an emotional win last week over Air Force Coach Niumatalolo and staff were concerned that there would be a let down and lack of focus by the team. It did not happen.

Rice ran the opening kick-off back to Navy’s territory. The Defense held then blocked a 46 yard field goal attempt. On their first play QB Dobbs faked a hand off then passed to SB Curry who was behind the defenders for a 51 yard gain to the 2. Dobbs scored on the next play. Navy 7 Rice 0. Then it was three plays and punt for Rice. Navy 68 yards, 8 plays, 5:20 minutes: Dobbs 12 yard TD run. Navy 14 Rice 0.

Second Quarter. Rice three and punt. Navy 65 yards, 12 plays, 5 minutes. Dobbs on a 1 yard run. Navy 21 Rice 0. On their next possession Rice tried to run on fourth and four but a botched snap gave Navy the ball at the Rice 24. Four plays later back-up FB Murray scored on a seven yard burst up the middle. Navy 28 Rice 0. On their next possession Navy’s Edwards intercepted Rice’s pass attempt. This was followed by a 65 yard drive in 12 plays and 5:42 minutes with SB Curry scoring on a 1 yard sweep. Navy 35 Rice 0. In the closing minutes of the half the Owls managed a 74 yard drive - all passes - to score with one minute left. Navy 35 Rice 7.

Navy’s started the second half with an eighty yard drive in eight plays consuming 4:30 minutes. Dobbs scored on a 13 yard run. Navy 42 Rice 7. A few minutes later, Navy’s Vela intercepted and ran it back 44 yards to the Rice 18. Back-up QB Kriss Proctor then got his first game experience and scored on a one yard run. Navy 49 Rice 7 with 10:30 left in the quarter. After some good gains the Owls punted to Navy’s one. The second team then punted for the first time. At this point Navy turned to the reserves on both offense and defense. Navy then drove 65 yards in 12 plays with Proctor again scoring. Navy 56 Rice 7. Rice scored on a long drive to make the score 56 - 14. The Midshipmen reserves continued to move the ball and Proctor scored for the third time to make the score 63 - 14.

Navy’s defense played extremely well. The Midshipmen had 31 first downs, 471 yards rushing on 80 carries. Dobbs was 2 - 3 for 66 yards passing. Navy did not turn the ball over. The three fullbacks gained 98 yards, Dobbs had 104 and Proctor 82 yards. Navy had the ball for 40:30 minutes to Rice’s 19:30. This was a good win and finally a chance for some young reserves to get some playing time.

Next week the Midshipmen again return to Texas - Dallas to take on the 3-2 SMU Mustangs in an 8 pm game. Under second year coach June Jones, the Mustangs employ a high powered short passing attack. It will be a challenge for Navy. Yesterday SMU beat East Carolina 28 -21.

Army won a nail biter in West Point in overtime 16 - 13 over Vanderbilt. Air Force - on a 19 degree night - lost to TCU 28 - 17.

Navy Record (4 - 2)

Sept. 5 @ Ohio State 31 Navy 27

Sept. 12 Navy 32 Louisiana Tech 14

Sept. 19 @ Pittsburgh 27 Navy 14

Sept. 26 Navy 38 WKU 22

Oct. 3 Navy 16 Air Force 13 (ot)

Oct. 10 Navy 63 at Rice 14

Oct. 17 at SMU 8 pm

Oct. 24 Wake Forest 3:30 pm(HC)

Oct. 31 Temple 3:30 pm

Nov. 7 @ Notre Dame 2:30 pm

Nov. 14 Delaware 3:30 pm

Nov. 28 @ Hawaii 11:05 am

Dec. 12 ARMY 2:30 pm



SMU Record (3 - 2)

Sept. 5 SMU 31 S.F. Austin 23

Sept. 12 SMU 35 @ UAB 33

Sept. 19 @ Washington State 30 SMU 27 (ot)

Oct. 3 @ TCU 39 SMU 14

Oct. 10 SMU 28 East Carolina 21

GO NAVY BEAT SMU!

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