Navy 35 Missouri 13 - Observations from an Olde Poolie

NAVY FOOTBALL No. 14 Observations from an Olde Poolie
December 31, 2009. TEXAS BOWL: Houston, Texas Navy 35 Missouri 13. On a 50 degree day under cloudy skies before an announced crowd of 69,000 fans Navy kicked off. On their second play Missouri scored on a 58 yard screen pass. The Midshipmen kept their poise, got the offense on track for 519 yards, maintained possession, the defense made some big plays, and QB Dobbs had a good day to lead Navy to their first bowl game victory in four years.

After the early score by Missouri, Navy drove to the Tigers 20 yard line where Dobbs lost a fumble. The defense held and Missouri punted to Navy’s 10. The Midshipmen then drove 90 yards in 15 plays consuming nine minutes with Dobbs scoring on a 12 yard run. After exchanging punts in the second quarter, Navy started on the 18, drove 70 yards only to have Dobbs fumble in the end zone. Missouri recovered. Missouri then fumbled and Navy recovered on the 22. Three plays later Dobbs broke tackles as he bulled his way 12 yards for his second TD. Navy 14 Missouri 7 with 45 seconds left in the half. Missouri came out passing but a sack by Navy resulted in a 31 yard field goal at the buzzer. Navy 14 Missouri 10.

Navy started the second half with a 48 yard kickoff return by Adam Teich. They drove 52 yards in 9 plays using 5 minutes with SB Doyle scoring on a three yard pass. Navy 21 Missouri 10. LB Pospisall intercepted on the Tigers first play and Navy started at the Missouri 41. Navy tried a run at the three on fourth and one but were stopped. The Tigers used a 56 yard screen pass moved into Navy territory but settled for a 31 yard FG early in the fourth quarter. Navy 21 Missouri 13. Another good return by Teich gave the Midshipmen the ball at the 42. On first down Dobbs connected with SB Curry for 48 yards to the 11. On the next play Curry took a pitch out, got some good blocks, and raced around left end for a TD. Navy 28 Missouri 13. The Midshipmen, often using only two down linemen, stopped the Tigers at the 13. Another classic grind-it-out 87 yard drive ended with Dobbs bulling over from the one. Navy 35 Missouri 13 with 4:56 remaining. Navy’s defensive back Middleton intercepted with 2:40 remaining and Navy claimed the win.

This was a big win for Navy over a big and talented team from the Big-12 conference. Missouri’s QB at 240 pounds was bigger than some of Navy’s linemen. Missouri’s O-line averaged over 300 pounds. Navy had to use back-up center soph. DeMell as starting center Douglas was academically ineligible. Navy had 385 yards rushing and Dobbs was 9-14-0 for 130 yards passing. The Midshipmen had the ball 41 minutes to Missouris 19.

Navy recruits heavily in Texas and had 24 players on the 100 man squad from Texas. A 10 - 4 record and a great season for Navy. Give lots of credit to coach Niumatalolo, defensive coach Buddy Green, and the entire staff.

This has been a very long season for the Midshipmen. They started practice in early August, played 11 games without a break, went to Hawaii over Thanksgiving, then two weeks later to Philadelphia to beat Army. After the Army game the coach gave them a week off for exams. Then they had four practices in Annapolis - two at 0500 am in the morning. A short break for Christmas then they flew to Houston on December 26th where they had four practices to prepare for Missouri. Olde Poolie believes that 14 games is too many games. This may be OK for those football factories where some of the students (most require five years) study criminal justice and music appreciation etc. but it is really a grind with the Academy routine. You have to admire the young men for their perseverance and determination. I also give credit to the coaches for their understanding and support of the players.

Air Force had a great game in the Armed Forces Bowl in Fort Worth where they intercepted the highly regarded QB from Houston six times and won 47 -20 over Houston. They will be tough next year.

Next Year.

A number of seniors will graduate this May but a number of experienced players return. The offense will return seven starters plus several alternates who gained experience. The defense will lose five senior linebackers, some started for three years, they will be hard to replace. The nose guards, two defensive ends, four experienced defensive backs all return. Dobbs and back-up Proctor both return at QB. If the defense can come together 2010 should be a good year. The schedule will be a challenge.

For pictures go to Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/gallery/2009/12/31/GA2009123103177.html

2010 Schedule (Subject to change)
Sept. 4 Maryland (Baltimore)
Sept. 11 Georgia Southern
Sept. 18 @ Louisiana Tech
Sept. 25
Oct. 2 @ Air Force
Oct. 9 @ Wake Forest
Oct. 16 SMU
Oct. 23 Notre Dame (NJ)
Oct. 30 Duke (HC)
Nov. 6 @ East Carolina Univ.
Nov. 13 Central Michigan
Nov. 20 @ Houston
Dec. 11 Army