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9 years in a row: Navy dominates Army

  • Published
  • By Bryan Swink
  • Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  The Army Black Knights football team hosted the Navy Midshipmen for the final regular-season game in the 2010 college football season at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia Saturday. This is the 111th game in this legendary rivalry.

Navy received the ball first but couldn't make much of their opening drive as quarterback Ricky Dobbs fumbled on the second play of the game, giving the Army great field position in Navy territory.

Army, being the generous team they are, returned the favor on their second play as fullback Jared Hassin fumbled giving the ball back to Navy just two minutes into the game.

Being in good field position, Dobbs completed a 31-yard pass to Aaron Santiago for a Navy first down on the Army 22-yard line. After a short run and two incomplete passes, Navy settled for a 36-yard field goal to take the early lead.

After Army couldn't get any momentum going on their next drive, they were forced to punt after three plays. The 38-yard punt pinned the Midshipmen inside their own 20-yard line.

On the second play of the drive Dobbs completed a pass to receiver John Howell for a 77-yard touchdown. After the successful point-after attempt, Navy led 10-0.

Both teams exchanged a series of punts to one another until Navy set up a eight play, 85-yard drive touchdown drive to extend their lead. The final play was a 32-yard touchdown pass from Dobbs to receiver Brandon Turner.

Army again struggled to find rhythm on offense and was forced to punt after another three-and-out. On Navy's first play of their drive, Dobbs coughed the ball up again and Army recovered on the Navy 23.

After five straight rushes by the Army offense, quarterback Trent Steelman found Malcolm Brown in the end zone for a 5-yard touchdown.

Momentum seemed to finally be in Army's favor after forcing Dobbs to fumble for the third time on Navy's second play of the following drive. Army started their next drive at midfield and looked to cut the Navy lead to three.

Staying with the run, Army pounded the ball down field in 11 plays and set up a first down on the Navy 3-yard line. Steelman looked to find the goal line but got stripped of the ball by Navy linebacker Jerry Hauburger on the 2-yard line. Navy safety Wyatt Middleton picked up the loose ball and ran 98 yards for another Midshipmen touchdown.

The half dwindled down and Navy took a 24-7 lead into the locker room.

Army started the second half with the ball and was able to complete a 12 play, 47-yard drive that ended with a Alex Carlton field goal.

The Army defense stepped up again on the Navy's eighth play of the following drive as Richard King intercepted Dobbs in the end zone to set the Black Knights offense up on their own 20-yard line.

The offense wasn't successful and was forced to punt at the end of the third quarter.

Navy took the ball for the second time in the half and was able to chew up more than nine minutes off the clock. Navy running back Gee Gee Greene eventually found the end zone for 25-yard run on the 13th play of the drive. Buckley's successful PAT gave the Midshipmen a 31-10 lead.

Steelman quickly led the Black Knights down the field and found Brown again for a 45-yard touchdown with four minutes left in the game.

Even though they cut the lead to 14 points, it was too little, too late. Navy prevented Army from gaining anymore ground and won the ballgame by a score of 31-17.

Navy has won nine straight matchups against Army and leads the series matchup with 55 wins compared to Army's 49 series victories. The historic rivalry dates back 120 years. Only 10 years in the 120-year history have the two teams not faced each other in the regular season.

Navy squares off with the 8-4 San Diego State Aztecs in the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl Dec. 23.

Army looks to beat Southern Methodist University in the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl Dec. 30.