Annapolis, MD – The Houston Cougars got off to a quick 14-0 start scoring on passes their first two series. QB Clayton Tune connected twice in the first with Nathaniel Dell (8 catches, 93 yards, two TDs) on their way to a 38-14 victory. Tune (21/30, 261 yards, five TDs) took apart the Navy pass defense. With minimal pressure on him, his receiving corps got wide open with plenty of time. On the defensive side, the Houston line penetrated the Navy offense at will often. Their rush resulted in one sack, seven TFLs, two hurries, and two INTs.
Effective at neither the triple option (16 carries for 30 yards) nor passing, QB Tai Lavatai (6/13, 125 yards, one TD, two INTs), the Navy ground game totaled 201 yards on 50 carries. Houston halted Midshipman drives twice, blocked a field goal, and Navy misfired once. HC Ken Niumatalolo’s triple option offense does not click on all its cylinders like it did over the first 12 years of his 15 in “Crab Town”.
Key to victory
As we pointed out in last week’s Salvos, whoever scored first would have the advantage in this game. With Navy’s best defense being its offense keeping its opponents on the sideline, we were surprised, Navy deferred to kick the ball to start. Houston scored on its first two possessions. Tune connected with WR Nathaniel Dell (8 for 93 yards, two TDs) from the six and 22. The second came after an interception by DB Jayce Roberts. He was literally all alone near the left hash. Guest Game Analyst and all our other eight GGAs could not believe the errant pass thought intended for a streaking WR down the middle of the field. Tune’s second TD pass covered 22 yards to Dell for the 14-0 lead.
In the second, Houston took over on downs after a fourth and three stop at their 32. They traveled the length of the field and came close to scoring again. However, on a 28-yard pass reception by WR Brandon Campbell, he fumbled approaching the end zone. Navy DB Joe Hutson recovered as his momentum carried him into the end zone for a touchback. Lavatai completed a 52-yard pass to WR Jayden Umbarger to the Houston 28. From the 25, frosh Daba Fofana, the one bright spot for the Mids running game (28-89 yards, one TD), broke loose and put the Mids within striking distance, 14-7.
The defense giveth, and the offense taketh away
However, the Houston offense started from the 25 and could not be denied. Clayton passes to TE Matt Byrnes (2/34 yards, one TD) and the running of Stacy Sneed (20 /100 yards) allowed the Cougars to score not once, but twice, really. On fourth and three at Navy’s six, Kyle Ramsey put up the kick for three. Despite an offsides call, the officials signaled the penalty was declined and the kick good. GGA Paul Fraley wondered why. With 5:18 left, the Cougars could have a first down and with plenty of time for another TD.
Finally, someone along HC Dana Holgorsen’s sideline realized Houston could get half the distance for a first down at the three. Tune connected from there with Byrne, his 6’6” TE who towered over the Navy secondary, for the TD. With Houston leading, 21-7, the ensuing Navy drive resulted in a blocked FG by DE Nelson Caesar through its porous offensive line.
Party in the parking lot!
Under a hot, bright mid-day sun, our Navy tailgate partiers decided to get some shade. With mobile tickets, this the first time in our memory that Navy allowed fans to head to the parking lot at halftime and return. We all took advantage for shade, food already paid for, and cold beverages. During our pre-game tailgate, we met with USNA graduate friends from our past like John Semcken, Rick Yasky and his wife Rebecca, Mike Malinack, and Alden “The Rock” Williams. We also met with regular tailgaters and Navy fans from Buffalo, NY who we enjoyed meeting for the first time.
Jill, a possessional chef, had cooking equipment set up and shared some of her recipes with us that were delicious! She was featured on the TV program “Chopped” in an episode. We have to find a way to meet up with that group again at future Navy tailgates. At the post-game party, The Rock and I defeated Notre Dame/ Navy fan Bill Serafin and brother- in-law Frank Lorito in a prolonged game of “Janga” to wrap up the festivities.
The tailgating, travels, and meeting other fans from around the country make college football a great part of the fun. As Chris Schenkel always said, “College football: what better way to spend an autumn afternoon?”
Back to football
Only a few of us returned after our halftime break to see if the Mids could get back into this game. It seemed many of the 32,443 of the announced attendance didn’t return. Navy closed the score by seven with a five-yard fumble recovery return by LB Jianni Woodson-Brooks. Good sign. However, Houston responded with a drive resulting in a 24-yard FG by Ramsey. The Cougars turned over Navy’s next drive with an interception by CB Art Green to put Houston at Navy’s 17. A 14-yard pass to Sam Brown to extend the lead basically put the game away. They led 31-14. The Mids looked as if they could not sustain any drives on offense.
Justcollegefootball.com
In the final period, we met with Stephen Hiegel of JustCollegeFootball.com whose preseason podcast we were interviewed. He met us in section 127. Stephen’s goal is to attend games in every FBS Stadium (134 in total now). He’s up to eight, most in within driving distance of Maryland where he lives. We’re up to 76 such (160 stadiums in all to see all levels of play since 1979). It’s not easy balancing time and budgets to accomplish this, but we wish him luck and hope to cross paths sometime again in the future.
“Tuned” in and out
Houston turned back the next Navy possession on a fourth and three. Later in the period, the Cougars drove 63 yards to score on Tune’s fifth scoring pass. He connected a second time with Brown for a four-yard pass. Navy went to the air on its next drive. Lavatai completed four of six passes with the final one to Umbarger for a 41-yard score. Maybe Navy HC Ken Niumatalolo has to consider going to a more pass-based offense with the personnel he has. The blocking would have to be improved from what we saw. Also, the tools like quickness afoot and with the hands that don’t seem to meet the standards of skill players for the option he had in the past.
An onsides kick ensued, and Houston ran out the clock. The Cougars joined up with the Brigade to stand with the Navy to the traditional singing of “Navy Blue and Gold”. I encouraged Stephen Hiegel to remain to hear this as we think it’s one of the best traditions in all of college football. We just hope to see the Mids turn it around, especially when we see them play Army on December 10.
Week Nine next!
Navy (2-5, 2-3) plays at home for the last time this season when Temple (2-5, 0-3) comes calling for Homecoming. Houston (4-3, 2-1) heads home to face South Florida (1-6, 0-3). Collegefootballfan.com hopes to see something more competitive at noon on Saturday when No. 13 Penn State (6-1, 3-1) hosts No. 2 Ohio State (7-0, 4-0). Hopefully, PSU HC James Franklin preps his team better than he did for the Michigan game.
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Ed. by Steve Koreivo, Author of Tales from the Tailgate: from the fan who’s seen ‘em all! Please link on the Title or picture of our cover on the top right sidebar on this or any other page you may peruse to buy your copy and submit a review. Thanks!
