NAVY FOOTBALL No. 7 Observations from an Ode Poolie
October 22, 2011. EAST CAROLINA 38 NAVY 35. On a sixty degree overcast day before over 34,000 Homecoming fans, Navy's football team gave up too many yards – allowing the ECU QB – to set records. 26 for 26 in the first half. The Midshipmen fought back but a couple of questionable calls by the referees plus another missed FG doomed the Midshipmen to their fifth straight defeat. QB Kriss Proctor left the game in the second quarter with an elbow injury after a late hit by the Pirates. Another tough loss. Again, few plays here and there would have made the difference. The refs did not help.
In the first quarter, Navy stopped ECU twice and the Pirates missed two field goal attempts. Navy had a good drive to the Pirates 13 but on fourth and four from the 13 only gained 3 yards. In the second quarter the Midshipmen drove 80 yards in ten plays and scored on a 13 yard run by SB Green. Navy 7 ECU 0. ECU then scored to tie the game 7 – 7 with 9:24 left. On their next possession QB Proctor was tackled after a pass (late hit) and suffered an elbow injury. Soph. Trey Miller (6-0, 191 lbs) entered the game. On the third snap he fumbled the ball and ECU recovered at the ECU 37. It took the Pirated 8 plays to score and lead 14 – 7. ECU then got a FG at the buzzer to lead 17 – 7 at the half.
Marcus Thomas started the third quarter by taking the kick-off at the ten, somehow managed to break out of a pile at the 35, then raced down the right side for a 90 yard TD. ECU 17 Navy 14. Both teams scored to end the quarter: ECU 24 Navy 21. Early in the fourth quarter the Pirates, using short passes, went 60 yards to score and lead 31 -21. Navy fought back behind Miller who completed TD passes of 59 and 37 yards. Navy 35 ECU 31 with 7:30 to play. The Pirates came back to score and lead 38 – 35 with 2:14 remaining. Navy came right back. Miller hit a leaping Aiken with a 20 yard pass at the two. He fell into the end zone where the ball came loose. The Refs ruled no TD – although it was clear he had possession and broke the plane. Then Teague's FG attempt hit the upright and bounced away at the buzzer.
In the last few years Navy somehow managed to win a number of close games. This year it has been the other way around. They have lost five straight including three at home. QB Miller, after a nervous start, settled down and did a fine job directing the offence. The defense just could not get off the field. They did get a few sacks in the second half but allowed ECU to complete 40 – 45 passes for 372 yards. Navy had 282 rushing. Miller was 5 – 12 for 126 yards passing and two TDs.
Boise State beat Air Force (3-4) 37 -26. Vanderbilt beat Army (2-5) 44- 21.
Next week at Notre Dame. Navy has won three of the last four games. Notre Dame (4-3) has had an up and down season. Can the Midshipmen pull out another win in South Bend? It will take a lot of improvement.
Navy's Record (2-5)
Sept. 3 Navy 40 Delaware 17
Sept. 10 Navy 40 @ Western Kentucky 14
Sept. 17 @ South Carolina 24 Navy 21
Oct. 1 Air Force 35 Navy 34 (OT) CBS
Oct. 8 Southern Mississippi 63 Navy 35.
Oct. 15 @ Rutgers 21 Navy 20. ESPN3.com
Oct. 22 East Carolina 38 Navy 35
Oct. 29 @ Notre Dame 3:30 pm NBC
Nov. 5 Troy 3:30 pm CBS Sports Network
Nov. 12 @ SMU FOX Sports Network
Nov. 19 @ San Jose State 4:00 pm ESPN3.com
Dec. 10 Army (Landover, MD.) 2:30 pm CBS
Notre Dame Record ((4-2) (2-4)
Sept. 3 Southern Florida 23 Notre Dame 20
Sept. 10 @ Michigan 35 Notre Dame 31
Sept. 17 Notre Dame 31 Michigan State 13
Oct. 24 Notre Dame 15 @ Pittsburgh 12
Oct. 1 Notre Dame 38 @ Purdue 10
Oct. 8 Notre Dame 59 Air Force 33
Oct. 22 Southern California 31 Notre Dame 17.
Oct. 29 Navy 3:30 pm. NBC
GO NAVY BEAT the Fighting Irish!
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