OwlSportsWatch.com - Naval Supremacy: Midshipmen Scuttle Owls

October 10, 2009

David Mooney
OwlSportsWatch.com Publisher

The visiting Naval Academy put on a clinic in running Option football Saturday afternoon at Rice Stadium, completing dominating the Rice Owls by a score of 63-14.

The game started well for Rice as the Owls won the toss.

Shane Turner returned the opening kickoff 52 yards into Navy territory. But as has been the case all year, the Owls simply could not keep a drive going when they needed it and had to settle for a Clark Fangmeier field goal attempt. The field goal was blocked - the 4th field goal this year either blocked or mishandled - and Navy took over at their own 47 after downing John Shepherd with the blocked attempt recovery.

It was all Navy from that point forward, as they Midshipmen needed only two plays to cover the 53 yards to the goalline. Navy QB Ricky Dobbs found tailback Marcus Curry streaking wide open in the Rice secondary in their first play from scrimmage for a 51 yard pass reception. Dobbs scored on the next play and the rout was on.

Navy rushed for 471 yards on the day, while limiting Rice to only 21. These numbers were truly reflective of how dominating the Navy effort was. The Middies had 31 first downs in rolling up 537 total yards of Offense.

They punted only twice all day.

Game Notes

- Andrew Sendejo led all Rice tacklers with 17 stops on the day.

- Terrance Garmon left the game after being knocked unconscious on a Rice kickoff.

- Freshman Linebacker Trey Briggs made 8 tackles Saturday.

- Junior Wide Receiver Patrick Randolph had his best day as a Rice Owl. He caught 6 passes for 68 yards, and hauled in both Rice touchdown passes.

- Shane Turner made the most of 4 rushing opportunities Saturday. While he only gained 18 yards, Turner hits the hole harder than any of the Rice Running Backs.

- Playing only in the second half, freshman Cody Bauer made two tackles in the backfield. The Owls managed to stop Navy ball carriers in the backfield only 4 times all day.

- Rice continued to struggle with turnovers Saturday. Nick Fanuzzi threw 2 interceptions, and had at least 2 more dropped by Navy defenders. Navy did not turn the ball over once Saturday. They had a mind-boggling 80 rushing attempts.

- Navy was able to gouge the Rice Defense for almost 6 yards per each carry Saturday. Rice has not performed well against Option teams with losses to Nicholls State and Navy, and a near miss against Army last year.

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