ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Quarterback
Luke O'Connell threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes to fuel a late rally, but the Navy sprint football team fell short in a 21-12 loss to Army (2-0) on Friday night at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in the annual Star Game, which is part of the overall Army-Navy Star Series presented by USAA. Trailing 21-0 early in the final period, the Midshipmen (1-1) mounted a furious comeback attempt before ultimately running out of time.
Navy broke onto the scoreboard with 4:13 remaining in the game when O'Connell connected with wide receiver
Biamungu Nkere for a 4-yard touchdown pass. Less than two minutes later, O'Connell capped a three-play, 36-yard drive with a 25-yard touchdown strike to
Ibi Denson to trim the deficit to nine points.
"Tonight was a tough one," head coach
Major Carter Reading, USMC said after the game. "I know how much work this team puts in day in and day out so to not get the result you want, especially against your rival is always tough. We came out a little flat and Army took advantage of that. Hats off to them. They played well. We had too many penalties and weren't able to be consistent in the game. These are all things that are correctable. We will put in the work at practice and look to rebound next weekend."
O'Connell anchored the Navy offense, completing 22 of 36 passes for 208 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions, while adding 15 rushing yards on the ground. Denson served as O'Connell's primary target, catching six passes for 68 yards and a touchdown, while Nkere added five receptions for 39 yards and a score.
Andrew Daly provided valuable production across multiple phases, hauling in four receptions for 37 yards and accumulating 96 yards on four kickoff returns. Receiver
Philip Drexler recorded Navy's longest play from scrimmage with a 33-yard catch, and running back
Hunter Gennicks led the ground attack with 38 rushing yards.
Although Navy out-gained Army 270-257 in total offensive yardage, penalties and situational execution proved costly, as the Midshipmen converted just 3 of 14 third downs and were penalized 10 times for 91 yards.
Defensively, linebackers
Tucker Opdahl,
Sam Stotler, and
Eliot Trahan kept Navy within striking distance. Opdahl posted a game-high 12 tackles (five solo), while Stotler and Trahan each recorded 11 tackles. Trahan also registered a tackle for loss, and
Christian Conley added 10 tackles.
Up front, defensive lineman
Mick Tabor spearheaded Navy's pass rush, recording two sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss, while
Drake Murrell provided a major special teams highlight by blocking an Army punt late in the second quarter.
Army struck first late in the opening quarter when running back JP Ross found the end zone on a 6-yard touchdown rush. The score capped a quick three-play, 21-yard drive that followed a Navy punt out of its own end zone.
In the second quarter, quarterback Kyle West extended the Black Knights' lead by scrambling for a 9-yard touchdown on a 4th-and-1 play. This rushing score culminated a methodical 14-play, 75-yard drive that drained 7:41 off the clock.
Early in the fourth quarter, West connected with wide receiver Marek Arbogast for a 45-yard touchdown pass. The extra point pushed the Army advantage to 21 points.
Navy finally broke through on a 3rd-and-goal when O'Connell hit Nkere for a 4-yard touchdown pass. The score concluded a 12-play, 73-yard march, though the ensuing extra point attempt was blocked by Army.
The Midshipmen struck again quickly, needing just three plays and 57 seconds to score on a 25-yard touchdown pass from O'Connell to Denson. Navy's attempt to cut the lead to a single possession failed, leaving the score, 21-12.
Army was able to recover the Navy onside-kick attempt and drain the clock to under 30 seconds before turning the ball over on downs. The Midshipmen drove down the field 25 yards into Black Knight territory, but ran out of time before they were able to get into the end zone.
Up next, the Midshipmen hit the road for the first time this season as Navy heads to Conshohocken, Pa. to take on Chestnut Hill. The game is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 3 at 4:00 p.m. The game will be live streamed and live stats will be available.
