Navy Football 2008 No.8 Observations from an Olde Poolie

Navy Football 2008 No.8 Observations from an Olde Poolie
October 25, 2008 Navy 34 SMU 7.

On a cool (55 deg.), rainy and windy day; winds gusting to 35 mph (Sunglasses and sun-block were not necessary); before over 31,000 rain-soaked fans; Navy, behind third team QB Soph. Ricky Dobbs (6-1, 194), used the weather to advantage and dominated the run and shoot SMU Mustangs. This was a team effort and a good win for the Midshipmen.

SMU won the toss and elected to receive. Navy took the 25 mph wind at it's back and kicked off. SMU punted on fourth down and Navy got the ball on the SMU 27. On third down Shun White took a pitch out to the right then cut back to the center and weaved his way for a 23 yard TD. Navy 7 SMU 0 after 2:18. Another three and punt for SMU and Navy started on their own 40. QB Bryant had a 20 yard run to the 14 but hurt his shoulder. Enter Ricky Dobbs who carried five straight times and scored: Navy 13 SMU 0. (Matt Harmon's PAT attempt hit the upright for his first miss after 70 consecutive extra point conversions. A back-up was the holder). Another short punt by SMU and the Midshipmen had the ball on the Mustangs 30. Dobbs returned as Bryant was out for the day. Three carries and Dobbs had his second TD. Navy 20 SMU 0 with 2:50 left in the quarter.

SMU took the kick-off and moved to Navy's 21 where they tried a FG but missed. Navy completed a 79 yard drive with Dobbs scoring on a one yard run. He had a 35 yard run during the drive. Navy 27 SMU 0. With 9:49 left in the half.

Midway through the third quarter (lots of heavy rain) Navy started on their own 12 and Dobbs lost a fumble. Three plays and the Mustangs scored. Navy 27 SMU 7. Navy controlled the ball most of the third quarter but did not score. Late in the fourth quarter Dobbs completed a long drive by scoring his 4th TD and Navy had a 34 - 7 lead. After that coach Niumatalolo put in the reserves. Several alternates did play in the second half also.

Navy did not attempt a pass for the first time since 1948 (?). Dobbs - running primarily between the tackles - had 224 yards on 42 carries. The Midshipmen had 404 yards on the ground in 77 carries. Dobbs is a strong runner and difficult to tackle. Navy had the ball 42.5 minutes to SMU's 17.5 minutes. The Mustangs were 1 of 10 on third down conversions while Navy was something like 13 of 18. SMU was 16-28-1 for 157 yards passing and minus 13 rushing. Navy's O-line did a great job. The defense employed 5 and 6 defensive backs and recorded two sacks plus a number of "hurries" to contain SMU's vaunted passing attack. This was a good win.

Next Saturday Navy hosts the Temple Owls who have shown improvement. They were behind 10 - 0 to Ohio University at the end of the third quarter on Tuesday night but rallied to score two touchdowns in the final period to pull out a 14 - 10 win in Philadelphia. They started the season by routing Army 35 - 7.

Temple Owls (3-5) Record

Aug. 29 Temple 35 @ Army 7

Sept. 6 U. Conn. 12 Temple 9 (ot)

Sept. 13 @ Buffalo 30 Temple 28

Sept. 20 @ Penn State 45 Temple 3

Sept. 27 West. Michigan 7 Temple 3

Oct. 4 Temple 28 @ Miami, Ohio 10

Oct. 11 @ Cent. Michigan 24 Temple 14

Oct. 21 Temple 14 Ohio Un. 10

Nov. 1 @ Navy 3:30 EDT (CBS CSN)

2008 Navy Schedule ( 5-3)

Aug. 30 Navy 41 Towson 13

Sept. 5 at Ball State 35 Navy 24.

Sept. 13 at Duke 41 Navy 31.

Sept. 20 Navy 23 Rutgers 21

Sept. 27 Navy 24 at Wake Forest 17

Oct. 4 Navy 33 at Air Force 26

Oct. 18 Pittsburgh 42 Navy 21

Oct. 25 Navy 34 SMU 7

Nov. 1 Temple 3:30 (CBS CSN)

Nov. 15 Notre Dame (Balt.) 12:00 Noon (CBS)

Nov. 25 at Northern Illinois (Tues) 7 pm (ESPN2)\

Dec. 6 Army (Phil.) 12:00 Noon (CBS)

Air Force beat New Mexico Thursday Night 23 - 10. Army (3-5) beat Louisiana Tech 14 - 7. Air Force plays at Army next Saturday.

Navy's Sprint football team beat Penn 26 - 7 to improve to 6-0. They have won 15 straight.

GO NAVY BEAT Temple GO NAVY BEAT ARMY!