Air Force Academy – A whole bunch of little plays added up to a big-play offense Saturday for Navy, and the Midshipmen’s stampede ended Air Force’s hopes of reclaiming the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy.
The Midshipmen pulled away from a 7-7 tie in the second quarter to win 24-17 before 45,246 fans at Falcon Stadium to keep the upper hand in the chase for the military trophy, which has rested in Annapolis, Md., the past three years.
The tide turned to Navy’s favor on the strength of three scoring drives that accounted for a combined 17 points on 42 plays, 217 yards and 21:16 in possession time. Navy’s offense was so dominant that it ran 26 plays to Air Force’s five in the third quarter.
Navy took a 24-7 lead with 14:40 left in the game on a 15-play, 80-yard march that ended on quarterback Brian Hampton’s second touchdown run.
With the thud of a fourth straight loss to the Middies (5-1) settling in, the Falcons (2-2) staged a frantic rally that produced the game’s last 10 points. But after recovering an onside kick with 3:02 left, Air Force’s last chance ended on quarterback Shaun Carney’s fourth-down pass that was knocked away by cornerback Sashawn King at Navy’s 47- yard line.
“It was a bunch of 4- and 5-yard plays,” Navy coach Paul Johnson said when asked if the little things added up to a big win. “If you can keep the chains moving, that’s exactly right.”
Navy fullback Adam Ballard ripped Air Force’s defense for 134 yards. Hampton added 105 yards as Navy amassed 317 yards rushing, a third-down conversion rate of 11-for-17 and a 9:48 advantage in possession time.
“One of Air Force’s objectives was to eliminate big plays,” Hampton said. “Our long drives did two things: It wore them down a little bit, and it took time off the clock. I have all the faith in our defense.”
Air Force coach Fisher DeBerry said there was no contest in which team ran the option offense better. The Falcons collected only 193 yards rushing, with halfback Chad Hall leading the way with 59 yards.
“They gave us a good lesson on how to control the football and run the option,” DeBerry said of the Middies. “I thought their quarterback played exceptional football. We had him in our grasp a number of times and we didn’t make tackles. They were good on first down, and a lot of times we were second down-and-8.”
Johnson experienced some nervousness toward the end of the game when the Falcons threatened, but still walked off with an important victory.
“You’re always nervous,” Johnson said. “I give (the Falcons) a lot of credit. They didn’t quit. They fought until the end, and I’m sure they thought they were going to win. It wasn’t over until the last pass was knocked down.”
Air Force’s chances to stop Navy’s trophy run hit a bump early. Almost forgotten in the hectic finish was Navy committing two turnovers in the first 13:18 of the game and the Falcons’ offense fizzling each time.
Carney’s fumble – after Air Force had recovered a fumble by Navy fullback Matt Hall at the Falcons’ 15 – was returned 37 yards for a touchdown by Middies cornerback Keenan Little for a 7-0 lead.
“Anytime you get their offense off the field, it’s a definite advantage,” Navy linebacker David Mahoney said. “We gave them a chance early. We pride ourselves that whenever there’s a turnover we’re going to get the ball right back.”
Air Force responded with an 11-play, 80-yard march to tie the game on Chad Hall’s 8-yard touchdown run with 11:49 left in the second quarter. But the Falcons didn’t score again until Zach Sasser’s 30-yard field goal cut Navy’s lead to 24-10 with 9:48 left in the game.
THE GRADES
Offense
C: Being unable to grab momentum early after two Navy turnovers plagued the Falcons the rest of the game. The offensive line didn’t give Shaun Carney protection as Navy’s defense broke up four passes and collected five sacks.
Defense
C: Navy was forced to punt three times, but otherwise the Midshipmen controlled the line of scrimmage. Linebackers Drew Fowler (18 tackles) and Austin Randle (14) and strong safety John Rabold (13) were bright spots.
Special teams
A: Zach Sasser produced the Falcons’ only consistent performance, averaging 46 yards on five punts as well as kicking a 30-yard field goal and two extra points. His onside kick late in the fourth quarter gave the Falcons one last chance to win.
Overall
C: Navy has Air Force’s number, and the Falcons aren’t able to play a complete game when facing the Midshipmen. The bottom line Saturday? Navy had the better team.
Staff writer Irv Moss can be reached at 303-954-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com.
