NAVY 17 ARMY 13

Observations from an Olde Poolie

NAVY FOOTBALL NO. 12  

                              

December 8, 2012.  Navy 17 ARMY 13.  On a cloudy 50 degree day in Philadelphia before 69,700  fans,  Navy, held on to win the 113th Army-Navy game.  Army was on the Navy 14 yard line; first down, with 1:04 to play; moving the ball consistently  but fumbled and the Midshipmen recovered and ran out the clock.  A heartbreak loss for Army but the 11^th straight for Navy. It was a clean and hard fought game – "America's Game".  Could have gone either way.

In the first quarter Army drove to the Navy 18 but failed to convert on fourth and 4.  Both teams failed to have consistent drives and punted. Early in the second quarter Army drove to the Navy 39 but fumbled and Navy took over at the 34. The Midshipmen then drove 66 yards in 9 plays with FB Copeland getting most of the yardage. Copeland scored on a 12 yard run. Army answered with a good drive: 75 yards in nine plays to tie the game 7 – 7 with 6:20 left in the half. Navy moved to the Army 21. Sloan kicked a 31 yard FG;  Navy 10 Army 7.  0:25 seconds left. A facemask penalty against Navy on the kick-off and Army started at their 40. Three plays to the  31 Where they kicked a 41 yard FG with 0:03 seconds on the clock. Navy 10 Army 10 at the half.

Navy started  the second half with a three downs and punt. Army fumbled the punt and Navy recovered at the Cadet 46. Navy punted.  Army punted to Navy's 34.  On second down Reynolds fumbled and Army recovered. Navy's defense held and Army kicked a 21 yard FG to lead 13-10 with 3:36 left in the third quarter.  Both teams punted.  Army got to the Navy 30 but missed a field goal. With under 7 minutes left,  Navy had the ball at their 20. QB Reynolds took charge – He told the team "We are going to score".   On third and ten he connected with SB Whiteside for 11. Then kept the ball for another 11 yards. WR Turner told the coaches he could get open.  Reynolds then threw a perfect pass that the 6-4 Turner hauled in for a 49 yard gain to the Army 8. On the next play Reynolds ran around the right side to score. Navy 17 Army 13 with 4:41 remaining.  The Cadets came roaring back – a couple of good passes, some hard running – and they had a first down at Navy's 14. A missed hand-off to Army's fullback  and Navy's nose guard Dabney jumped on it with 1:04 remaining. Navy ran out the clock.

This was a typical Army-Navy game. Army had 370 yards rushing to Navy's 167. Reynolds was 10-17-0 for 130 yards passing. He also had 43 yards rushing . FB Copeland had 99 yards on 22 carries. Army lost three of five fumbles. Navy lost one.  11 Straight plus the Commamder-in-Chief  Trophy back to Annapolis. 

Next for Navy.  The Midshipmen will play the Arizona State Sun Devils on December 29 at 1 pm PST (4 EST) in the KRAFT FIGHT HUNGER BOWL in the San Francisco Giants baseball field. This was formerly the Emerald Bowl.   Both teams will be on the same side line.  It will be on ESPN2 TV.  The Sun Devils use an upbeat no huddle offense. They lost four in a row but managed to win their last two games.  Arizona State played some tough games in the PAC-12 Conference.  They are currently favored by nine points. Will be a major challenge for the Midshipmen.

Navy's Schedule   (8– 4)

Sept. 1  Notre Dame 50 Navy 10

Sept. 15 at Penn State 34 Navy 3

Sept. 22 Navy 41 VMI 3

Sept. 29 San Jose St. 12 Navy 0

Oct. 6 Navy 28 at Air Force 21

Oct. 13 Navy 31 at Cent. Michigsan 13

Oct. 20 Navy 31 Indiana 30

Oct. 27 Navy 56 at Eat Carolina 28

Nov. 3   Navy  24 Fla. Atlantic 17

Nov. 10 at Troy 41 Navy 31

Nov. 17 Navy 21 Texas State 19

Dec. 8 Navy 17 Army 13.

Dec. 29 Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl Arizona State 4 pm est ESPN2

               San Francisco. 

                                                                                    

ARIZONA STATE  Record  (7-5)

Aug. 30.  Arizona St. 63 Northerrn Arizona 6          

Sept.  8  Arizona St. 45  Illinois  14

Sept. 15   at Missouri  24 Arizona St. 20

Sept. 22  Arizona St. 37 Utah 7

Sept. 29  Arizona St. 27 at California 17

Oct.  11  Arizona St. 51  at Colorado 17

Oct.  18  Oregon 43 Arizona St. 21

Oct.  27  UCLA  45  Arizona St. 43

Nov.  3   at Oregon St. 36  Arizona St. 26                

Nov.  10  at  Southern California 38 Arizona St. 21

Nov. 17   Arizona St. 46  Washington St. 7

Nov. 23   Arizona St. 41  Arizona 34

G O O O O O – NAVY,  BEAT  THOSE SUN DEVILS!