McMorris and the defense lead Navy over Tulsa 20-17
The Navy football team has been searching for a complete football game all season. Last night they came very close in a 20-17 win over Tulsa. The defense held the Golden Hurricane to 294 yards of total offense. On the ground Tulsa had 129 yards but 78 yards came on one run so the rest of the game they allowed 51 yards on 29 carries. That 78 yard run was big because Navy cornerback Michael McMorris never gave up on the play and tackled Anthony Watkins at the 7. Tulsa ended up kicking a field goal so that effort saved 4 points which were critical.
The Navy offense rushed for 302 yards including 80 by Carlinos Acie and 70 by Chance Warren. Quarterback Tai Lavatai had 18 rushes for 64 yards and a touchdown. The Midshipmen didn’t complete a pass in the win. They had 4 attempts.
Special teams continue to be problematic for the Mids. Tulsa ran the second half kick back for a touchdown. That continues a pattern of blocked kicks, long returns, and muffed punts that have happened throughout the season. The other Golden Hurricane touchdown happened with 2:21 left to make it 20-17. During that drive there was close to minute wasted due to not realizing the clock started on the referee’s whistle after a review not the snap. That mistake forced them to go for the onside kick after the TD. It was recovered by Navy, Fullback Isaac Ruoss ran for 17 yards on the first play which allowed the Mids to take three knees to seal it.
Next week Navy heads to Notre Dame. Covid wiped out this game last season but the 2021 version starts at 3:30 on NBC. The Midshipmen enter with a record of 2-6.
