Observations from an Olde Poolie

Navy Football 2008. No. 11

November 25, 2008 Navy 16 Northern Illinois 0. On a cold (35 deg.) night before 17,900 in Dekalb, Ill. Navy's defense recorded a shut-out for the first time in four years while Soph. QB Ricky Dobbs, in his first start, led the ground game to secure the seventh win for the Midshipmen.

Navy kicked off. NIU moved down the field but King intercepted for Navy at the nine. Dobbs fumbled on his first snap but recovered. Then, carrying the ball himself most of the time, led a 19 play 81 yard drive that consumed over 11 minutes. They settled for a 27 yard FG by Harmon to lead 3 - 0 early in the second quarter. After the defense held, NIU punted to the Midshipmen 14. The Midshipmen moved to the NIU 42 then Dobbs connected on his only pass with Greg Shinego for 32 yards to the 10. Two plays later Dobbs scored. This time the drive took 10 plays and covered 86 yards in 4:33 minutes. The snap for the point after was mishandled. Navy 9 NIU 0 with 5:38 left in the half.

Navy received the kick-off to start the second half. Punted from mid-field to NIU's 12. The Huskies moved to the 50 then on fourth and 4 Emmet Merchant picked off a pass and ran to the NIU 40. Dobbs, Shinego, and Kettani alternated carrying the ball and Kettani scored on a one yard plunge. 40 yards in ten plays that consumed 5:20 minutes. Navy 16 NIU 0 with a little over 2 minutes left in the third quarter. The defense stepped up in the fourth quarter and stopped the Huskies. NIU failed 3 of 4 fourth down attempts.

Navy had 262 yards rushing. Dobbs had 125 on 25 carries, Kettani had 92 on 19 carries. One pass good for 32 yards. Navy was 6 - 9 on third down conversions. They did not turn the ball over. A big win against a good team playing it's last game on a cold night at home.

Next. It's on to Philadelphia for the annual clash with the Black Knights from West Point. Army switched to the triple option - very similar to Navy - this year and is still learning the system. They fumbled a lot early in the season and thus some big losses. They seemed to improve but Rutgers finally had a great game against them last Saturday. They have a 250 pound fullback who has had some 200 plus yards rushing. He is like a tractor busting through the line.

Army (3 - 8)

Aug. 29 Temple 35 Army 7

Sept. 6 New Hampshire 28 Army 10

Sept. 20 Akron 22 Army 3

Sept. 27 @ Texas A & M 21 Army 17

Oct. 4 Army 44 @ Tulane 13

Oct. 11 Army 17 Eastern Michigan 13

Oct. 18 @ Buffalo 27 Army 24 (ot)

Oct. 25 Army 14 Louisiana Tech. 7

Nov. 1 Air Force 16 Army 7

Nov. 8 @ Rice 38 Army 31

Nov. 22 @ Rutgers 30 Army 3

Dec. 6 Navy (Phil.) 12 Noon (CBS)



2008 Navy Schedule ( 7-4)

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 Navy 33 Temple 27 (ot)

Nov. 15 Notre Dame 27 Navy 21

Nov. 25 Navy 16 at Northern Illinois 0

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

GO NAVY BEAT ARMY!