By Fitzgerald Cecilio

Mount Pleasant, MI

Navy scored two unanswered touchdowns in the third quarter, including a 44-yard heave by Keenan Reynolds to senior running back Gee Gee Greene, to pull away en route to a 31-13 victory over Central Michigan Friday at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.

Reynolds, in his first career start, completed just six of 11 passes for 134 yards and three touchdowns, becoming the first Navy quarterback to throw three touchdown passes since Chris McCoy, who did it against Colgate in 1997.

The victory was the second straight for the Midshipmen (3-3) while the Chippewas dropped to 2-4 (0-2 MAC).

Led by fullback Noah Copeland's 70 yards 15 carries, the Midshipmen ruled the ground game with 238 rushing yards compared to just 70 by Central Michigan. Fullback Prentice Christian added 64 yards on 17 carries and one touchdown.

Aside from gaining 39 yards on seven carries, Greene also displayed his catching ability, receiving two of Reynolds passes for touchdowns of 44 and 19 yards.

The Midshipmen also went 5-for-5 in fourth-down conversions for the game.

"Obviously, I thought we got out-executed tonight. We had chances in the game. We cut it 17-10, came out in the third quarter, had a good drive, got some momentum and then gave up a big pass. Then, after that, we just didn't execute very well. Offensively, we were out of sync," said Central Michigan coach Dan Enos.

Navy struck first at the 11:43 mark of the first quarter with a 23-yard touchdown pass from Reynolds to Brandon Turner.

In the ensuing play, the Chippewas settled for a 29-yard field goal by senior David Harman with 8:32 left in the quarter to pull within four, 7-3.

The Midshipmen converted two fourth-and-one opportunities in CMU territory during their second drive capped by a 19-yard touchdown pass from Reynolds to Greene, giving Navy a 14-3 lead.

Navy extended its lead to 17-3 with 3:10 left in the second quarter with a 37-yard field goal from Nick Sloan.

The Chippewas pulled within four points behind a touchdown from senior quarterback Ryan Radcliff to sophomore receiver Titus Davis and a 22-yard field goal by senior David Harman before Navy pulled away in the third.

Radcliff went 11-for-19 for 139 yards and a touchdown, while Zurlon Tipton led the Chippewas with 59 yards rushing while Davis caught two passes for a team-high 48 yards.

 

 

Navy Pulls Away, Routs Central Michigan