Navy Loses to SMU, 31-30, in OT
Navy Midshipmen and SMU Mustangs
The Navy Midshipmen fell to the SMU Mustangs 31-30 in overtime Saturday afternoon in Dallas. It was SMU’s first victory over Navy in 2o years and their first at home since 1966.
The game was a back-and-forth affair in which Navy never did get its offensive footing.
SMU kept QB Malcolm Perry under 50 yards rushing. Perry took a lot of hard hits and would leave the game in the second half due to an injury. Zach Abey would also leave early with an injury, leaving Garret Lewis at QB.
Although Lewis fumbled on the 2-yard line to set up a SMU touchdown, the QB played hard all day long. Lewis threw a 25-yard TD pass to Mychal Cooper for Navy’s only completed pass of the day. Then, to start overtime, Lewis led the Mids in a nine-play possession that resulted in a TD.
SMU coach Sonny Dykes answered by sending QB Ben Hicks out to start OT, the first time Hicks had seen action all day. A 4-yard TD pass to James Proche quickly set up a 2-point conversion try. Hunter Thedford caught Hicks’ pass for the two points and the SMU win. The officials delayed the Mustangs’ celebration for several minutes while they reviewed the SMU formation. A video review eventually called the play legal and the game over.
While Navy’s offense never got on track, the Midshipmen defense played hard. Hudson Sullivan, Jarvis Polu, Taylor Heflin, Jarid Ryan and Sean Williams all made big plays to keep Navy in the game.
Unfortunately, mistakes again marred the game for the Mids. A chop block penalty negated a 50-yard TD pass for Navy in the second quarter. Along with the Lewis fumble, Nelson Smith also lost the ball. His drop at the end of the first half set up a 47-yard field goal opportunity for SMU (which Kevin Robledo missed.)
SMU is now 1-3 on the season. Navy is 2-2.
Up next for Navy is Air Force on Oct. 6.
