Army (3-9) came right back with its third consecutive touchdown drive, running six plays covering 74 yards to tie it at 21 on a 25-yard pass from Steelman to junior slotback Malcolm Brown at 9:45 of the third quarter and set up the dramatic finish.
Navy’s first scoring drive began at the Army 26 following a fumble by sophomore slotback Raymond Maples. Tuani dove on the ball for the Midshipmen, who themselves lost a fumble on their first series but avoided additional damage. Navy needed just six plays to take a 7-0 lead on Proctor’s four-yard touchdown with 1:06 to play in the first quarter.
Shortly thereafter, Army began with the ball at its 49 following a third-down sack of Proctor that forced a punt. On the first play from scrimmage, Black Knights junior fullback Jared Hassin fumbled the pitch on a hit by Tuani, and junior linebacker Brye French pounced on the loose ball at the Midshipmen 45.
With the momentum squarely in Navy’s corner, Proctor ran around the right side and found plenty of daylight. As he turned up the field, junior wide receiver Brandon Turner delivered a clearing block, and Proctor wound up with a 32-yard gain to the Army 23-yard line. Navy reached the red zone with Greene’s three-yard carry on first down, and Teich ran for two yards on third and one.
Greene was held to no gain on first down before Proctor got two on second. Teich then completed the series by collecting a toss around the right side and leaping into the end zone for a 10-yard touchdown midway through the second quarter.
Just when it appeared Navy had the game under control, the Black Knights erupted for consecutive touchdowns, beginning with Steelman’s 34-yard jaunt between right guard and tackle. Navy went three plays and punt on its next try, giving Army the ball at its 38 with 2:45 to play. A little more than two minutes later, Brown was in the end zone following a five-yard run, and just like that, the game was knotted at 14 at halftime.
“It sounds cliche, but it’s the best feeling in the world,” Teague said. “It really is. I can’t describe it. Being able to come through for my brothers and being able to get this game for us, that’s the head on the nail right there.”
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