Reynolds, Niumatalolo Lead Navy Vs

WHAT’S AT STAKE Playing its final game with star QB Keenan Reynolds, Navy vies for the first 11-victory season in the history of the program and its first three-game winning streak in bowl games.

Reynolds would tie Dixon in the first quarter with two rushing touchdowns, and while he added a bit more drama than anybody would have liked, Reynolds broke the record in the fourth quarter of a 44-28 win. It’s not just Reynolds that makes the option work, as Navy fullbacks have combined for 1,292 yards rushing and 17 touchdowns.

The 5-foot-11 senior leaves Navy (11-2) as the NCAA career leader with 88 touchdowns and 530 points. With 81 more yards, Reynolds can also break the FBS record for rushing yards by a quarterback held by Michigan’s Denard Robinson. But Qadree Ollison has filled in nicely, rushing for 1,048 yards and 10 touchdowns. He’s arguably the best player to come out of Navy since former Heisman victor Roger Staubach and will look to go out on top against a Pittsburgh team that looks to be on the rise under first-year head coach Pat Narduzzi. That Pitt was able to put its season back on track given this loss is a testament to the character of the team and the system in which they play. However now, with Pitt set to face Navy within the Military Bowl on Monday., in that tape in all probability made a reappearance.

Pittsburgh freshman Quadree Henderson provided some fireworks to start the Military Bowl, returning the opening kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown. Pittsburgh Panthers rank at 22 for 36.2 road passing yards where as Navy Midshipmen rank at 49 for allowing 24.6 passing yards at home. Reynolds then directed a 14-play, 86-yard march that lasted nearly seven minutes. He set records by regaining the rushing touchdowns record and even setting the record for most rushing yards by a quarterback in a career. Now the betting odds for the game have the Midshipmen favored to pick up the victory over the Panthers.

Niumatalolo momentarily abandoned the triple option in the third quarter in favor of a bit of trickery. All day long, Reynolds carried the Midshipmen with his legs and his arm, as he also had a passing touchdown.

“I scrolled down and found my name and the position listed was running back”, Reynolds said last week, according to the Capital Gazette. “I know where Keenan’s heart is and where he wants to play, but in this instance it’s not his choice”.