Mids Take the High Way

Yet Navy had a plan. The Midshipmen had faced the No. 10 team in the nation in total defense last year -- and that game, like Wednesday's, was on the road against a Big East opponent (Connecticut).

They opened the game with a play-action pass for a 77-yard touchdown in a 41-17 victory.

On Wednesday, they ran the same play, on the game's very first play. Junior quarterback Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada hit senior O.J. Washington for a 49-yard gain. The Midshipmen led 7-0 four plays later, following a four-yard touchdown run by senior Reggie Campbell.

But Navy had given up 138 points in its past four games, the most in a four-game span since 2002.

And the unit seemed to have no answers when Pitt eschewed downfield passes and opted for short passes by Bostick and runs by McCoy and junior fullback Conredge Collins (52 yards, one touchdown).

The Panthers tied the game at 7 on a two-yard touchdown run by Collins. Navy took a 14-7 lead; the Panthers answered. So it went.

By the end of the first half, the Midshipmen had 243 yards, had not punted and had used 19 players on defense, and the game was tied at 21.

Pittsburgh took its final lead at 38-35 on a 21-yard touchdown run by McCoy with 10:45 to play. Navy answered with an 11-play, 46-yard drive and tied the game at 38 on a 36-yard field goal by senior Joey Bullen with 4:57 left.

The Midshipmen forced a punt on a fourth and two near midfield -- the Panthers' offensive players reacted to the decision to punt by angrily swinging their helmets as they walked to the sideline.

The Midshipmen took over at the Pittsburgh 16 with 1:26 left and drove to the 32-yard line. With two seconds left, however, Bullen was four yards short on a 49-yard field goal and the game went to overtime.

Pitt scored on its opening possession of overtime -- on a one-yard run by Bostick. Navy answered one play later, on a 25-yard scoring pass from Kaheaku-Enhada to Campbell.

When Navy's second possession in overtime stalled at the 12, Johnson called on Bullen.