Mids Fall Short In Overtime; QB Injures Ankles
Ball State 34, Navy 31
Navy's Adam Ballard runs against the defense of Ball State's Cortlan Booker, right, during the first half on Saturday.
(Steve Ruark - AP Photo)
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Sunday, September 16, 2007
Navy's 34-31 overtime loss to Ball State before 32,087 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium last night in Annapolis turned on consecutive plays late in the game.
The Midshipmen (1-2) had a chance to win in regulation. After driving 57 yards, they had what they wanted with two seconds left: A 32-yard field goal attempt from the middle of the field. But Ball State junior Brandon Crawford, a former Marine, blocked the kick as time expired to force overtime.
The Cardinals won the coin toss and gave Navy the ball to start overtime. On first down, Navy had something else it liked: The Cardinals were aligned in a formation in which an option play to the right might have gone for a touchdown.
Instead, junior quarterback Jarod Bryant was too late to pitch to classmate Shun White. When he did pitch, he fumbled; it was recovered by junior linebacker Bryant Haines.
The Cardinals (2-1) won the game on a 24-yard field goal by freshman Jake Hogue.
"We got a chance to win the game," Navy Coach Paul Johnson said. "If we can kick a 32-yard field goal right in the middle of the field . . . I'll see it on film, but I guess they got some push. You've got to be able to make it."
Said Bryant: "What hurts the most is that it was in front of the Brigade. I think everyone knows morale is kind of low around here right now. A win . . . could have turned that around."
It was the second overtime game in the program's history. The first was a 24-23 loss to Tulsa last year; that game was decided after an extra-point attempt by Harmon was blocked.
In all, the Midshipmen lost even though they gained 521 yards rushing -- the third most in team history -- and nearly had three 100-yard rushers for the first time in school history.
Ball State entered with 74 rushes and 75 passes, and that balance was evident last night. The Cardinals finished with 262 yards rushing and 277 passing. They also converted 11 of 15 third downs.
The teams combined for 1,124 yards, for good reason.
Two Navy starting defenders -- junior linebacker Clint Sovie and senior safety Jeff Deliz -- had season-ending injuries in a 41-24 loss to No. 13 Rutgers last Friday. Last night, senior starting linebacker Irv Spencer left the game because of an ankle injury early in the third quarter and didn't return.
