Annapolis, MD – On a day of tributes to those lost on 9/11 20 years ago to the day, the Air Force Academy (2-0) defeated a floundering Navy football team that has played great football for most of the past 20 years, 23-3. The Midshipman offense lacks the firepower of the past decade indicated by the meager statistics of a once-proud program at the end of three quarters: one first down, 55 total yards, no pass completions, and no passing yards.  QB Xavier Arline, replaced in the final period, does not display the physical quickness demonstrated by former Navy QBs Keenan Reynolds nor Malcolm Perry.  Both players who made NFL rosters since, effectively ran the triple option to place USNA among the top team rushing leaders in the nation every year.

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Rough seas ahead for Navy

     Many in attendance including Guest Game Analysts who have enjoyed watching Navy football during this period already ponder if this team will win a game this season.  The 2021 schedule loomed as one of the toughest ever to begin with before the season.  With a record of 0-2 now and a struggling offense scoring only 10 points in two games, great teams ahead like Central Florida, No. 8 Cincinnati, and No. 10 Notre Dame look insurmountable. 

First half struggles for both

    On this bright, sunny day similar in weather to this same date 20 years ago, these two teams that shared this solemn occasion before the game of lives lost then and since, played a tight first half with Air Force leading 7-3 at the end.  The Mids took the lead 3-0 in the second period on Bijan Nichols 30-yard FG. The score resulted from a shanked punt that put the Mids at the Falcon 48. 

     The Navy defense put up a good fight.   A fumbled punt put Air Force (2-0) at the Navy 20.  They held the Falcons to a field goal attempt that went wide to maintain the lead for the time being.  Following a Navy three-and-out, the visitors took over again in Mid territory at the 43.  With 1:09 left in the half, AF RB Brad Roberts ran it in for a TD from the three to close the scoring going into the break. 

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In Memoriam

    At the half, tributes were made to alumni of both academies lost on September 11, 2001.  The Navy lost 14 graduates that day and Air Force lost two.  Pilots on Flights 77 and 93 came from both of these respective schools.  Seven died in the Pentagon attack, three perished at the World Trade Center, and four traveled as passengers.  Since the attack, many from both academies served defending our country against terrorism and some died in defense of this country.

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Slow start to second half

     The third quarter stalemate of punt exchanges ended when Navy roughed the punter to give Air Force new life with a first down at their 41.  Before the period ended, QB Haaziq Daniels faked a dive hand-off and turned up field untouched for a 28-yard TD to put the Falcons up 14-3 going into the final period.  Could the Mids muster their offense to make a comeback?  On several occasions the Brigade of Midshipman chanted the name of a replacement QB, but HC Ken Niumatatolo stuck with Arline as he had against Marshall the previous week.

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A floundering (not Air) force

     A snap from center over the punter’s head through the end zone on the next Mid series resulted in a 16-3 Falcon lead.  After the ensuing USNA punt, Air Force drove against a worn-down Navy defense and Roberts scored his second TD on a two-yard run to extend the lead to finish the scoring for the day, 23-3.  Navy’s offensive highlight for the game came on its next series when replacement QB Maasai Maynor entered and fired a 15-yard pass to WR Mychal Cooper for Navy’s first completion and its second first down.  It was an effort in futility that drew a large cheer from the Brigade for its floundering offense that has suddenly fallen far from what Navy football stood for after many successful years under HC Ken Niumatatolo.  The future looks dim for this year’s squad.  We hope this team can rally to pull this proud program back together to avoid a winless season.

Extra points:

Next week, Air Force hosts Utah State (2-0) in Colorado Springs.  Navy can hopefully benefit from a bye week next Saturday to prepare some new wrinkles before traveling to meet Houston (1-1, before hosting Grambling next week) on the road for their first American Athletic clash this season. Next Saturday, Collegefootballfan.com returns to State College, PA for the first time since September 7, 2019 when they defeated Buffalo, 45-10. The No. 10 Nittany Lions (2-0) will meet the No. 22 Auburn Tigers (2-0) for their first regular season clash ever!

The game uniforms for Saturday’s game were confusing.  Navy wore uniforms honoring the Marine Corps with white helmets and red stripes on blue pants.  Air Force wore white jerseys with gold helmets and black pants.  We missed the traditional uniforms of both teams – Navy with blue jerseys, gold pants, and gold helmets; Air Force in the white with blue trim and blue lightning bolts on their helmets.

Personally, we had the great opportunity to get together with a couple of friends who graduated from USNA with the class of 1978 – Rick Yasky and Mike Malinack.  It was great to see them after so many years, and we look forward to seeing them in the future at more Navy games and with a few more of their classmates.

We plan to see Navy play two more times this season.  On Thursday, October 14, we will see them visit the Memphis Tigers.   On December 11, in another tribute to 9/11, we will see them spar with Army in the shadows of Manhattan at the Meadowlands in New Jersey.

In our history, this was our 80th Navy game (42-38) and our 12th Air Force game (6-6). Unofficially, Navy leads our series here, 4-2, but a review is underway to assure our accuracy.

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