NAVY 38 SMU 35 (OT)

October 17, 2009: NAVY 38 SMU 35 (OT). On a cool (60 Deg.) and breezy evening in Dallas before over 22,000 fans including former President George W. Bush, who tossed the coin to start the game, Navy started fine then went into a deep funk offensively in the second quarter; but got back on track in the second half then hung on for a 38 - 35 win in overtime.

Navy kicked off, forced SMU to punt and drove 52 yards in 6 plays with SB Curry taking a pitch on the left side and racing 31 yards for a TD. Navy 7 SMU 0 (10:57). SMU took the kick-off then marched 79 yards in 10 plays and 5:25 minutes to tie the game 7 - 7.

At the end of the first quarter Navy failed to convert on a fourth and one and SMU started at mid field. The teams traded punts and SMU had the ball at the 50 yard line. Five plays later the Mustangs scored on a six yard run to lead 14 - 7 with 8:39 remaining. Navy was penalized on the kick-off and started on their own 7. On the first play Dobbs fumbled and an SMU defender scooped up the ball and fell into the end zone. SMU 21 Navy 7. On their next possession the Midshipmen fumbled again but recovered deep in their own territory. The defense kept SMU out of the end zone.

Second Half. After an exchange of punts Navy drove 75 yards in five plays with FB Murray crashing over from the three for the TD. A 39 yard pass to WR Jones was a big play. SMU 21 Navy 14 (9:53). SMU was three and punt. This time the Midshipmen went 70 yards in 10 plays using 3:55 minutes to score on Dobbs 12 yard run through a big hole on the left side. Dobbs also had a 27 yard run during the drive. SMU 21 Navy 21 (4:17). SMU answered with a 76 yard drive aided by a very questionable pass interference call against Navy. SMU 28 Navy 21. On their next possession the Midshipmen were penalized to the 14 then a few plays later FB Murray bust through the line for 52 yards to SMU’s 25. He scored a few plays later to tie the game early in the fourth quarter. The defense held and Navy scored again on a five yard run by Dobbs to lead 35 - 28. SMU came back - using the pass - to tie the game 35 - 35 with 1:35 left in the game.

Overtime. SMU was no gain and two incomplete passes then missed a 43 yard FG attempt. In six plays Navy moved to the seven yard line and Joe Buckley kicked a 24 yard FG. Navy 38 SMU 35.

The offense was terrible in the second quarter. The defense played fairly well. The offense found some rhythm in the second half. Navy gained 331 yards on the ground. FB Murray led the way with 141 yards on 25 carries, Dobbs had 89 and Curry had 72. Dobbs was 4 - 9 and 68 yards passing. Navy is now 5-2 in overtime games - winning the last five. This was not Navy’s best effort but a "W" is a win. Coach Niumatalolo said "This team is unbelievable" in their comeback from a 14 point deficit at half time.

Next Week is Homecoming with the Demon Deacons of Wake Forest coming to town. Navy upset Wake Forest in Winston Salem last year 24 - 17 then lost to the Deacons in the Eagle Bank Bowl in DC 29 - 19. They return a veteran QB and a solid offense. Had to rebuild their defense. Wake Forest is 4 - 3 and was clobbered by Clemson 38 - 3 yesterday. Navy will have to stop their passing game and grind out the yardage on offense to win this game.

Army lost to Temple 27 - 13 and Air Force beat Wyoming 10 - 0.

Navy Record (5 - 2)

Sept. 5 @ Ohio State 31 Navy 27

Sept. 12 Navy 32 Louisiana Tech 14

Sept. 19 @ Pittsburgh 27 Navy 14

Sept. 26 Navy 38 WKU 22

Oct. 3 Navy 16 Air Force 13 (ot)

Oct. 10 Navy 63 at Rice 14

Oct. 17 Navy 38 at SMU 35 (ot)

Oct. 24 Wake Forest 3:30 pm(HC)

Oct. 31 Temple 3:30 pm

Nov. 7 @ Notre Dame 2:30 pm

Nov. 14 Delaware 3:30 pm

Nov. 28 @ Hawaii 11:05 am

Dec. 12 ARMY 2:30 pm



Wake Forest Record (4 - 2)

Sept. 5 Baylor 24 Wake Forest 21

Sept. 12 Wake Forest 24 Stanford 17

Sept. 19 Wake Forest 35 Elon 7

Sept. 26 @ Boston Coll. 27 Wake Forest 24 (ot)

Oct. 3 Wake Forest 30 No.Carolina St. 24

Oct. 10 Wake Forest 42 Maryland 32

Oct. 17 @ Clemson 38 Wake Forest 3

Oct. 24 @ Navy