12/30/2004 - Football
Navy 34, New Mexico 19

NAVY 34, NEW MEXICO 19 ---------------------- SAN FRANCISCO (Ticker) -- Navy's defense made a huge stand and then the offense made an even bigger statement. A goal-line stand late in the third quarter was followed by a 26-play scoring drive as Navy completed its first 10-win season in nearly a century with a 34-19 victory over New Mexico in the Emerald Bowl. The Midshipmen (10-2) posted their first 10-win season since 1905 and recorded their first bowl win since defeating California in the 1996 Aloha Bowl. Navy was leading 31-19 when it turned away New Mexico inside the 1-yard line on fourth down. On the ensuing drive, the Midshipmen covered 94 yards in 14:26 during a possession that spanned the third and fourth quarters. It was a fitting way for Navy to cap the win as it dominated New Mexico on the ground all day. The Lobos entered the game with the nation's eighth-ranked rushing defense, allowing 93.7 yards per game. In this one, the Midshipmen gashed the Lobos' defense for more than 260 yards rushing, led by quarterback Aaron Polanco, who rushed for 133 yards on 26 carries and a Navy bowl-record three touchdowns. In the first half, Navy scored on each of its first four possessions and held a 24-19 lead at the break. Polanco had a pair of TD runs in the first quarter and threw a 61-yard scoring strike to Corey Dryden on the first play of the second quarter. Kole McKarney had a strong all-around game for New Mexico (7-5), but did most of his damage in the first half. He finished 13-of-21 for 173 yards and a TD and was intercepted twice. McKarney also was New Mexico's leading rusher with 135 yards and a TD on 16 carries.