Navy overcomes Memphis lead late in driving rainstorm, 22-21

Annapolis – The US Naval Academy, not known for late comebacks with their vaunted, triple-option, overcame a 21-9 Memphis lead with two scores in the final period to edge the Tigers, 22-21.  The first American Athletic Conference West Division game for both gave the Midshipman a leg up on the Tigers as the two teams have claimed three division titles since Navy joined the conference in 2015.  Both offenses struggled though a driving rainstorm limiting the anticipated firepower brought by both teams to light up the scoreboard.

Henderson runs away, twice

Navy led at the half, 9-7, as their defense focused on improving after the previous week’s loss at Hawaii, 59-41.  In the second half, Memphis RB Darrell Henderson (13 carries, 214 yards, two TDs) exposed a Navy defensive weakness as he sprinted past the slower secondary on a 78-yard burst.  Later in the period, Memphis extended the lead on Henderson’s 58-yard jaunt to put the visitors up, 21-9.

In the final period, the Mids took advantage of the third Memphis fumble of the game. S Juan Hailey forced a Patrick Taylor fumble and DE Jarvis Polu recovered at the Tiger 27.  At the 19, Navy QB Malcolm Perry (166 yards, two TDs) zig-zagged and broke tackles around right end and all the way across the field to cross the goal line for dazzling score with 11:06 remaining.

The Grand Finale

The Navy D forced Memphis to punt after three and out to put the offense in good field position from their 44.  Back up QB Zach Abey, used for his toughness in short yardage situations, (six yards, five carries, one TD) converted a two-yard run on fourth and one at the Memphis 18.  With 2:39 left, he ran over the right side unscathed standing up for a three-yard TD.  A two-point conversion failed and it was up to the defense to stop the Memphis team that scored 66 points the previous week in their win over FCS Mercer.  The Tigers got on the move and looked like they could be within field goal range as Henderson carried six yards to the Mids 34.  Under pressure, QB Brady White misfired on his next two pass attempts to get within range.

Ring the Victory Bell

On fourth down, DE Anthony Villalobos dropped White for a one-yard loss as he scrambled to seal the Navy victory to even their record at 1-1, 1-0 in the AAC. It was a great come from behind victory for the Mids as the Brigade happily sang their alma mater, “Navy Blue and Gold” before heading back to Bancroft Hall and on to “liberty” granted by the Superintendent.

Next week the Mids return to face Patriot League foe Lehigh (1-1) and we will be back, weather permitting,  based on what Hurricane Florence brings up the Chesapeake.   Memphis (1-1, 0-1 AAC) looks to get back on a winning note at home when they face Georgia State.

Extra Points:

Navy S Sean Williams earned AAC Defensive Player of the Week with nine tackles and two forced fumbles.

Despite the rain, our first time Guest Game Analysts at Annapolis, Les Di Vite (Seton Hall) and Bill Serafin (Montclair State) along with veteran GGA Steve Ciesla (Juniata/ Montclair State), vowed that they had such a fantastic time at the game and in Annapolis, that they will be back again.  As usual, we had a great tailgate, luckily before the skies opened up, with Brian “Old Bay Spice wings” Donnelly, his fiancé Laurie, and our friend and navy vet, “Navy Al” (USS Seattle).

Annapolis in the morning

After a dark drive down on Friday through heavy thunder storms and traffic delays, we headed downtown next morning for breakfast at Chick and Ruth’s. We checked out the fantastic boats down at the Annapolis dock (I gotta meet someone named “Pappy” from Nashville before I retire there after I saw Pappy’s Boat looking like a great place to tailgate).  We walked over to the academy and toured around checking out the sailing center, T-Court, the Crypt of John Paul Jones below the chapel, and Preble Hall, housing the great Navy museum there.  It’s a great place to spend a few hours. Different displays every year when we go there.  Back in town, we did the traditional Bloody Mary at The Anthony House before riding out to meet our fellow tailgaters and heading over to our parking lot at Gate 1.

Annapolis at night

After the game, since our postgame tailgate got washed out, we went downtown and had dinner at Buddy’s Ribs and Claws so we could catch up on Penn State-Pitt.  We skipped our traditional cigars at the Annapolis Cigar Factory since hot showers and dry clothes seemed like the better options to watch the late games back at the hotel.  Three more treks to Annapolis this season. Always a good time and in recent years, great football!