9/23/12

Navy 41 VMI 3



NAVY  FOOTBALL 2012 No. 3                                     Observations from an Olde Poolie
September  22, 2012.  Navy  41  VMI  3.  Before a record crowd of 35,671 for a season opener, including the Classes of 1962, 1972 and others; Navy's football team started out looking like the same team that lost to Notre Dame and Penn State. Three fumbles ,  (lost two), untimely penalties and missed assignments on offense .  Spotted VMI a three point lead. Coach Niumatalolo  almost changed QBs in the second quarter, but Trey Miller settled down and led Navy to a victory. 
Navy took the opening kick-off  and drove to the VMI 37 then fumbled the ball away. VMI moved down the field and kicked a 42 yard field goal to lead 3 – 0. Navy used 6.5 minutes to move to the Keydets 2 yard line.  A penalty set them back five yards and they settled for a 19 yard FG  VMI 3 – Navy 3 late in the quarter.   Late in the second quarter the Midshipmen moved 77 yards in less than three minutes and 7 plays to score on 7 yard run by QB Miller.  With two minutes left in the half Navy got the ball at their own 43.  They drove to the 15 and Sloan kicked another FG with ten seconds left.  Navy 13 VMI 3 at the half.
Second half.  After each team punted Navy put together a 66 yard drive and scored on a one-yard plunge by Miller.  Navy 20 VMI 3.  Later Navy moved to the VMI 40. QB Miller then broke through the line, dodged a couple of tacklers, leaped over another and zig-zagged 40 yards for a TD.  Navy 27 VMI 3.  After a punt  to the VMI 2 yard line, LB Warrick picked off a 3rd down pass and dashed 7 yards into the end zone.   Navy 34 VMI 3 with less than 7 minutes  left in the game. Navy then turned to the substitutes. Third string FB Polamalu  scored on a 21 yard run.  Navy 41 VMI 3.
It was a "W" but the coaching staff has lots of work to do. "…obviously, we still had too many penalties, too many turnovers, ….we have to get that stuff cleaned up". Coach Niumatalolo. The defense played well gathering two interceptions.  Buddy Green rotated nine down lineman – which certainly helped on a hot day.  Navy started it's third player at center, then made a change in the second quarter. (?).
Army lost a tough game to Wake Forest 37 – 49. UNLV overcame a 13 point deficit at the half and rallied to beat Air Force 38 – 35.
Navy's Sprint Team beat Princeton 62 – 13.
Next week the Midshipmen host (3-1) San Jose State who scored 21 points in the fourth quarter to beat San Diego State Univ. 38 -34.  Last year the Spartans beat Navy 27 – 24. They lost at # 18 Stanford 17 – 20 on Sept. 1.  They like to throw the football. It will be a major challenge for Navy.
Navy's Schedule
Sept. 1   Notre dame 50 Navy 10 
Sept. 8   At Penn State 34  Navy 7                                                                                                                                                     
Sept. 22  Navy 41  VMI 3  3:30 pm                                                                                                                                        
Sept. 29 San Jose State  3:30 pm
Oct. 6 At Air Force 11:30 am 
Oct. 13 at Central Michigan  8 pm. 
Oct. 20 Indiana (HC)  3:30 pm
Oct. 27  at East Carolina State    TBA
Nov.  3   Florida Atlantic  3:30 pm 
Nov.  10 at Troy  (Ala)  3:30 pm
Nov.  17  Texas State 3:30 pm
Dec.  8  ARMY  Philadelphia  3:00 pm                                                                                                               
San Jose State  (1-2) Schedule
Sept. 1 at  #18 Stanford 20  JSJ  17                                                                                                                                                        Sept. 8  SJS  45  UC.Davis  13                                                                                                                                                 Sept. 15  SJS  40 Colorado State 20                                                                                                                                                    Sept. 22  SJS 38 at  San Diego State Univ. 34                                                                                                                  Sept 29. At  NAVY  3:30 pm
GO NAVY,  BEAT THOSE SPARTANS!

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