10/2/11



NAVY   FOOTBALL  No. 3                    Observations from an Olde Poolie

October 1, 2011.  Air Force  35 Navy 34 (OT).   On a cool overcast day (temps in the low 50s) before over 37, 500 fans, Air Force controlled the first half but Navy came back from an 18 point deficit to tie the game in the last seconds only to lose it in overtime.  The gallant comeback by the Midshipmen was thwarted by an “unsportsmanlike “  call against QB Kriss Proctor who apparently said something to an Air Force player after  scoring a TD in overtime. Jon Teague’s PAT attempt from the 35 was deflected. AF then scored a TD and  kicked the PAT for a thrilling  35 – 34 win. 

Air Force scored on the fourth play of the game on a 52 yard pass. An eighty yard drive by the Falcons resulted in a 14 – 0 lead late in the first quarter.  Navy  put together a 66 yard drive but settled for a 25 yard FG from Teague.  Air Force 14 Navy 3 as the quarter ended.  The Falcons answered with an eight play drive to lead 21 – 3 early in the second quarter.  On their next possession Navy was faced with a fourth and 12 from their own 17 yard line . A short snap to a blocker who ran for 16 yards and a first down.  The Midshipmen used 10 minutes and 19 plays but missed a 26 yard FG attempt.   Half: Air Force  21 Navy 3.

Third Quarter.  Navy got a 30 yard punt return and started on the AF 28.  It took eight plays and Proctor scored on a 2 yard run.  The first TD for Navy against AF in ten quarters.  AF 21 Navy 10. 
Air Force came back going 90 yards to make it 28 – 10 early in the fourth quarter.  It took Navy 12 plays to drive 62 yards and another Procter TD.  AF 28 Navy 17 with 9:34 remaining.  Two minutes later the Midshipmen got a 37 yard FG to close to 28 – 20.  An on-side kick-off was executed perfectly and Navy recovered at the 41 with two minutes  left.  Proctor then led a dramatic  come-back and Navy scored on a 5 yard pass to SB Green. With 19 seconds remaining Proctor ran left then passed off to FB Teich who ran in for the tying two point conversion. 

Navy sored a TD in overtime on a one yard plunge.  The missed PAT allowed AF to win. The officials did not distinguish themselves.  The ball spots after  Navy gains were costly. After allowing Air Force to control the game in the first half the Midshipmen played their hearts out and battled back.  What a shame to have the game decided on a questionable referee call.

Statistically Navy  had the advantage. Navy had the ball over 40 minutes to AF 19. The Midshipmen had 334 yards rushing to AF 223. AF was 9-10 136 yards passing. Navy was 14-25 -1 for 132 yards. Teich had 148 yards while Proctor gained 134 yards on 37 carries.

Next week Navy hosts Southern Mississippi  for a 3:30 pm game. CBS Sports Network TV.
The Golden Eagles are  3-1. They beat Rice 48 – 24 yesterday. This will be a challenge for Navy. Hopefully the team can put Saturday’s game behind them and prepare. Army (2-3)  beat Tulane 45 – 6 at West Point.


Navy’s Record (2-2)

Sept. 3   Navy 40  Delaware  17
Sept. 10  Navy 40 @ Western Kentucky 14
Sept. 17  @ South Carolina 24 Navy 21
Oct.  1   Air Force 35 Navy 34 (OT)
Oct.  8    Southern Mississippi 3:30 pm
Oct. 15  @  Rutgers
Oct. 22  East Carolina (HC) 3:30 pm
Oct. 29  @ Notre Dame
Nov.  5   Troy  3:30 pm
Nov.  12  @ SMU
Nov. 19   @ San Jose State
Dec. 10    Army  (Landover, MD.)

Southern Mississippi Record (2-2

Sept. 3  So. Miss.  19 Louisiana Tech 17
Sept. 10  @ Marshall 26 So. Miss. 20
Sept. 17  So. Miss. 52 Southeast Louisana 6
Sept. 24  So. Miss 30 @ Virginia 24
Oct. 1     So. Miss  48 Rice  24.   

GO NAVY  BEAT THOSE GOLDEN EAGLES!. 

No comments: