Game 668: Air Force subdues Navy to remain undefeated

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Annapolis, Maryland – Air Force (7-0) shut down a weak, unimaginative Navy offense for more than three quarters and overcame a tough Navy defense to vanquish its archrival, 17-6. The Midshipmen gained only 48 yards of offense with Freshman QB Mike Woodson into the third period. Tai Lavatai, who sat out last week and this week with a rib injury, replaced him in the fourth. After throwing a pick-six, he led the Mids to a score on their final drive to avoid the shutout.

This turned out to be the brunt of the Navy game through the air in the first half against Air Force.
This turned out to be the brunt of the Navy game through the air in the first half against Air Force.

Defense, defense…

The two military academies played a scoreless first quarter. However, on the first play of the second period, Falcon QB Zac Larrier connected with WR Dane Kinamon. He beat his receiver badly, made a nice over the shoulder catch, and raced 94 yards for the only score of the first half. Air Force held Navy in check allowing only three conversions of 17 in third down attempts. Of the Mids’ first ten possessions, the Falcons stifled them with nine three-and-outs. Navy gained only 22 yards on the ground. On defense, however, they held the Air Force offense which scored 34 or more points in five of six starts to only 17.

Air Force at Navy 2023: how most of the plays looked during the entire game.
Air Force at Navy 2023: how most of the plays looked during the entire game.

In the third period, Matthew Dapore made good for a 40-yard FG to put Air Force up, 10-0. On the subsequent series, he missed an attempt from 35 yards out. Fourth quarter, enter Lavatai at quarterback for Navy. Despite three first down on Lavatai’s first series, the Mids punted again. His next series ended much worse. Linebacker Alec Mock picked off his pass for the Falcons and returned it unscathed for an 18-yard TD. Trailing, 17-0, Lavatai came out firing on Navy’s next and final series. He completed ten passes for 78 yards resulting in a 10-yard touchdown toss to Eli Heidenreich. The two-point conversion failed and with a failed onsides kick, the game was over. Air Force triumphed over the Mids (3-4), 17-6, and rose to No. 19 in the AP poll.

Air Force keeps Navy out of the end zone on two-point conversion, but the game was basically over.
Falcons of Air Force keep Mids out of the end zone on two-point conversion, but the game was basically over.

Air Force brings crabbiness to Crabtown

It was a disappointing day for Navy fans who set a new Navy Marine Corps Stadium attendance record this day with 38,803 paid seats. Among them attended two legendary Naval Academy honorees. Former 1963 Heisman Trophy winner and NFL Hall of Famer Roger Staubach attended. So did former new College Football Hall of Fame inductee and former Navy Head Coach Paul Johnson.

He came to Navy from Georgia Southern where he won three FCS championships. He led Navy to a 45-29 record over six seasons (2002-2007). His teams beat Army all six of his seasons and went 11-1 in games against Army and Air Force. Johnson took the Mids to five straight bowl games. In addition, friends of mine from USNA class of 1978 came to the game to celebrate their 45th reunion. Disappointing outcome on the field, but great get together tailgating with them and 11 other friends who attended our annual excursion to see a Navy game in Annapolis.

Our "crew" had a great time getting together for this year's annual get-together in Annapolis. Next year - Navy vs. Notre Dame in The Meadowlands.
Our “crew” had a great time getting together for this year’s annual get-together in Annapolis. Next year – Navy vs. Notre Dame in The Meadowlands.

Next!

Air Force (7-0, 4-0) looks to keep rolling next Saturday. They visit the Colorado State Rams (3-4, 1-2) in a Mountain West clash. Navy (3-4, 2-2) has a bye week before visiting Temple (2-6, 0-4) in Philly for an American Athletic contest on November 4. As for collegefootballfan.com, we not only follow up seeing another undefeated team on Tuesday night, we have two other undefeated teams on our slate for our next three games.

Liberty (7-0, 5-0) calls on Western Kentucky (4-3, 2-1) in a key Conference USA clash. This could determine if both these teams will meet in the eventual conference championship. On Saturday, we’ll see No. 4 Florida State (7-0, 5-0) visit Wake Forest (4-3, 1-3). The following week, we travel to State College, PA to see No. 2 Michigan (7-0, 4-0) tangle with Penn State (6-1, 3-1) in a Big Ten thriller. Both games start with a noon kickoff.

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