11/21/11

NAVY FOOTBALL No. 11 Observations from an Olde Poolie


November 19, 2011.  San Jose State 27  Navy 24.  Before over 25,000 on a cloudy 58 degree day in California, The Midshipmen did not play very well. The effort was there but too many botched plays on offence, defense, and special teams.  “ My worst nightmare came true. We were sleepwalking to start the game. We left a lot of points out on the field offensively. We had some uncharacteristic mental lapses that really hurt us”, Coach Niumatalolo said . . .  :Obviously I didn’t do a good job of getting us ready”. Navy lost five games this year by a total of 11 points. Ouch!.  One or two key plays in each game could have made a difference.

SJS kicked off. In their first three possessions Navy only managed three first downs and punted three times. Meanwhile the Spartans  - using a fast passing attach – scored a field goal and then drove 69 yards in ten plays to score their first TD and lead 10 – 0  at the end of the first quarter.

Navy finally got an interception at SJS’s 41 then needed six plays to score. Green had 26 yards on two carries. SJS 10 Navy 7  (9:50). DE Tuani got a sack forcing a SJS to punt to Navy’s 40. Three plays later the Midshipmen scored on Santiago’d 35 yard run.  Navy 14 SJS 10. The Spartans came right back with an 80 yard drive and led 17 – 14 with 2:48 left in the half.  Proctor was sacked and fumbled . SJS then kicked a 23 yard FG with 23 seconds left. SJS 20 Navy 14

Second Half. SJS missed a 45 yard FG. Navy drove 72 yards in 11 plays and Teague kicked a 24 yard FG.  SJS 20 Navy 17  After another Tuani sack and fumble recovery by the Midshipmen, they needed six plays to travel 43 yards and score to lead 24 – 20 at the close of the third quarter. SJS started the fourth quarter with a 73 yard drive and took the lead 27 – 24.  Navy got to the 13 but a 15 yard unsportsmanlike penalty pushed them back to the 28.  A botched snap prevented Teague from getting off a FG attempt.  Later Navy moved into SJS territory but a pass on fourth and three with 2:23 failed. SJS ran out the clock.  Final SJS 27 Navy 24.

QB Proctor, still bothered by an injured arm, was not at his best. On two or three occasions he had receivers wide open (would have scored)   but did not see them. Olde Poolie wondered why coach Niuma did not insert backup QB Miller who has a good arm (?). SJS had the ball over 32 minutes to Navy’s 27.  The Spartans gained 465 yards, 345 passing on 33 – 44 – 1.  Navy had 254 yards rushing and 90 passing on 9 – 20.

Navy is 4 – 7.  No Bowl Game.  They have three weeks to prepare for Army. They must play better than yesterday.   Army (3-8) lost to Temple 42 – 14. Air Force (6-5) beat UNLV  45 – 17. They play at Colorado State next Saturday.

Navy’s Record (4-7)

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)  CBS
Oct.  8    Southern Mississippi  63  Navy 35.
Oct. 15  @  Rutgers 21 Navy  20.
Oct. 22  East Carolina 38 Navy 35 (HC)
Oct. 29  @ Notre Dame 56 Navy 14
Nov.  5    Navy 42  Troy 14
Nov.  12   Navy 24 @ SMU  17
Nov. 19   @ San Jose State  27 Navy 24
Dec. 10    Army  (Landover, MD.)  2:30 pm CBS

Army  (3 - 8)

Sept.  3   @ Northern  Illinois 49 Army 26
Sept. 10   San Diego St. Un.  23 Army 20
Sept. 17   Army 21 Northwestern 14
Sept. 24   @ Ball State 48 Army 21
Oct.    1   Army 45 Tulane 6
Oct.     8   @ Miami (Ohio)  35 Army 28
Oct.   22   @ Vanderbilt 44 Army 21
Oct.   29   Army  55 Fordham  0
Nov.  5     @ Air Force 24 Army 14
Nov  12    Rutgers 27 Army 12
Nov. 19    @ Temple 42 Army 14
Dec.  10    NAVY  2:30 pm.  

GO  NAVY  BEAT ARMY!



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