Abey, Smith lead Mids rushing attack through Golden Hurricane, 37-29
Our last tailgate of the year in Annapolis. Feasting and fun with good food and good friends as usual.
Annapolis – Senior QB Zach Abey rushed for 128 yards and both he and FB Nelson Smith scored two rushing TDs to lead the Mids of Navy to their third victory of 2018 to defeat Tulsa, 37-29. In typical Navy fashion, Abey attempted only two passes and completed one for 15 yards. Both teams entered the game with identical records of 2-8, 1-5 in the American Athletic West.
With Abey at QB for the third game in a row, the Mids looked more like Navy teams of recent years effectively running the triple option. They accumulated 389 yards on the ground. For Collegefootballfan.com, we witnessed Tulsa lose its third game of a 2-9, 1-6 season. On the other hand, we watched Navy win for the third time this season at home against one loss. We will see them play again in three weeks against arch-rival Army on December 8 in Philadelphia.
Tulsa RB Corey Taylor races around the left side for one of his three TDs versus Navy.
Early scores
Tulsa scored first on a two-yard run capping a 49-yard drive with a two-yard run by Corey Taylor (15 carries, 45 yards, three TDs). Navy retaliated with a 79-yard drive finished off by Smith (5 carries for 48 yards, 2 TDs) with a 10-yard TD run.
Navy’s Nelson Smith (43) on his way for his ten-yard TD run against Tulsa in the first quarter.
Early in the second, the Mids took the lead with Smith’s 26-yard TD run. With the PAT blocked by Tulsa CB Reggie Robinson, he picked up the ball and returned it the length of the field for two points. Navy led, 13-9. Tulsa got pinned at the three on the ensuing kickoff. Punting from their five, the Mids took over at the TU 31. USNA drove to the one and Abey took it over from there to extend USNA’s lead, 20-9.
QB Zach Abey (9) cuts behind FB Anthony Gargiulo’s (38) block for a Navy score .
Review this rule
Tulsa started its next drive from its 39 benefiting from a controversial targeting call in our estimation. Guest Game Analyst Vince Gallo and I agreed that the hit by LB Austin Talbert-Loving was unavoidable and unintentional. The ball carrier lowered his head and momentum of the tackler caused the head-on hit by the defender. Despite what we saw, the officials ejected him from the game. That rule needs to be re-analyzed.
The scoring continues
The ensuing Hurricane possession resulted in a 19-yard TD run by Keylon Stokes to cut Navy’s lead. However, the Mids got back on track full speed ahead. They drove the ball on the ground 70 yards finished off by Abey’s two-yard TD with 1:28 left in Q2. The Mids led going into the locker rooms up at halftime, 27-16.
Tulsa WR Keylon Stokes finds a big hole in the Navy secondary on a Hurricane touchdown drive.
An Annapolis first
Halftime highlights featured a very colorful Cheerleader of America performance and the Naval Academy Silent Drill team consisting of 14 Mids. Very well done. One tribute paid between quarters honored the officers and crew of the Navy’s newest ship, the USS Sioux City, LCS 11. Our nation’s sixth Littoral combat ship, the commissioning took place on Saturday in Annapolis, the first time such an event took place there. The ship’s hull is comprised of aluminum skin. It features high-tech capabilities and can cruise up to 40 knots (46 mph). The Navy designed it for coastal combat support. Named in honor of Sioux City, Iowa, news reports stated many of the 4,000 in attendance came out from that area to attend the ceremony. Crew members and families toured the town while we were there for breakfast at Chick and Ruth’s and for Bloody Mary’s at Fran O’Brien’s Anthony House, CFF.com traditions. Congrats to Sioux City, Iowa, and the US Navy. Smooth sailing!
Go Navy!
Only three in Q3
To start the third period, Tulsa threatened to score on a sustained drive until DT Jackson Pittman forced a fumble by Corey Taylor near the goal line. Marcus Edwards recovered for the Mids on the three. Navy’s O drove down to the ten on two long runs. Malcolm Perry booked for 52 yards to the Golden Hurricane 45. Tre Walker followed with a 35-yard jaunt to the TU ten. Despite the momentum, Navy instead settled for Bennet Moehring’s 21-yard FG.
As he does at every Navy game, except sans his No. 72 jersey at this game, “First Down Freddie” leads a cheer to celebrate another for the Mids!
Turnover time
GGA Mike Pitch noted that despite Tulsa QB Seth Boomer’s passing stats (19 for 28, 206 yards, 1 INT), he had all day to throw as the Mids applied little pressure all day. Tulsa still had a chance to win. I noted as I have all season, the lack of speed in the Midshipman’s secondary. Though under no hard rush by the Navy line, an interception return of 54 yards by S Micah Farrar for the Mids to the Tulsa 23 went for naught. FB Mike Martin fumbled and Tulsa recovered taking possession on their 23. With only a field goal to show for a score in the third quarter, Navy’s 30-16 lead still seemed shaky entering Q4.
Hurricane QB Seth Boomer (12) had plenty of time most of the day to throw against the Mids, but only tallied 206 passing yards.
Corey Taylor hit pay dirt at the end of a 76-yard drive with a three-yard TD run. DE Jarvis Polu added some relief to the threat though blocking the point after to maintain their lead by eight, 30-22, with 11:54 left. USNA advanced on their following 10-play drive starting from the 26 when Tre Walker sped around the end for a 33-yard touchdown burst. Tulsa responded with a return out to the 45. Taylor capped the drive with his third score at the one to close the gap, 37-29.
Navy S Sean Williams breaks up a pass on a Hurricane drive in Q3.
Decisions, decisions
With 4:46 left to play and three time-outs, Tulsa kicked deep instead of going for an onsides kick surprising all the GGAs including Bob Brauer, joining us at a Navy game for the second year in a row and bringing Kielbasa for our post game tailgate in the dark. Navy foiled the Tulsa plan converting two first downs. The Mids caused the Hurricanes to burn all three timeouts until 1:09 remained. At that point, the Mids went into the victory formation. Game 580 went into the annals of CFF.com history with Navy’s 37-29 victory.
Navy Al’s granddaughter Sophia joined our pregame tailgate this weekend and demonstrated a new concept of “tailgating” here. It worked well for her though as the fifth-grader lasted through the entire game even as it got colder and darker. She really enjoyed her day she told us before she nodded off and Grandpa whisked her away.
Turkey time
Next Saturday after Thanksgiving, the Mids travel to New Orleans to face the improved Tulane Green Wave (5-6,4-2). Tulane has impressive wins over Memphis and South Florida. They lead Navy by two wins in the West Division. Tulsa returns home to host SMU (5-6, 4-3 AAC west). Collegefootballfan.com goes back to State College to see struggling No. 14 Penn State (8-3, 5-3) host Maryland (5-6, 3-5) in a Big Ten East clash. Last Saturday, they fell at home to Ohio State, 52-51, in OT. After a 66-3 loss to PSU last season and a hobbled Trace McSorely playing QB for the Lions, the Terps could be primed to pull the upset. We expect a hard-fought, close game in cold (and possible wet) Happy Valley. Rain and snow gear at the ready -what the 2018 season will be remembered for!
Remember those serving our country this weekend as we give thanks and celebrate Thanksgiving.
Happy Thanksgiving to all our fans, friends, and family!!!