Defense helps Midshipmen escape Green Wave
Navy overcomes offensive mistakes with late stand
Statistically, quarterback Zach Abey had another strong game in the Navy football home opener.
Abey rushed for a team-high 108 yards on 29 carries and completed four passes for 132 yards and a touchdown as Navy defeated Tulane, 23-21, in a real backyard brawl before an announced crowd of 30,420 at NavyMarine Corps Memorial Stadium.
Those stats only tell part of the story as Abey also committed two fumbles and tossed an interception that could very well have cost the Midshipmen in such a close contest.
“We just have to take care of the rock. It’s plain and simple. With the way we play, possessions are limited so you just can’t turn the ball over,” Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo said. “Zach is still learning. We’ll continue to work with him on decision-making, but really the big thing is taking care of the football. The kid knows that.”
Abey’s interception came after Navy had reached the Tulane 13-yard line on the game’s opening possession and prevented a chip shot field goal attempt. Abey’s first fumble was returned for a touchdown while his second fumble almost cost the Mids a touchdown.
“I think we made a lot of mistakes today and a lot of those were on me,” said Abey, who completed 4 of 12 pass attempts. “We missed a lot of opportunities in the passing game and with our offense as a whole. It comes straight from me. I made a lot of bad decisions.”
Niumatalolo was irate following the second fumble, screaming in the face of Abey as he came to the sideline. Niumatalolo made the junior quarterback look him in the eyes TV: Radio: and could be seen mouthing the words “That is the last time.”
Abey lost control of the ball while diving into the end zone from 2 yards out. Fortunately, right tackle Andrew Wood recovered the fumble for a touchdown that ultimately proved decisive.
“Our culture is to take care of the ball, first and foremost. Especially when we’re on the goal line,” Abey said. “That was a huge mistake there. Since day one we practice ball security so that’s on me.”
Ultimately, it was the Navy defense that preserved the narrow victory, coming up with a pair of fourth down stops in the fourth quarter. Defensive lineman Tyler Sayles stuffed tailback Darius Bradwell for a 2-yard loss on fourth-and-one at the Tulane 34-yard line.
Navy could have gained some valuable breathing room with a touchdown or field goal, but could not capitalize on the terrific field position. Slotback Tre Walker was thrown for a 6-yard loss on third down and Abey was sacked for an 8-yard loss on fourth down. FIRST QUARTER NAV: High 9 run (B.Moehring kick), 8:08 SECOND QUARTER TUL: Teamer 52 fumble return (Neenan kick), 12:34 TUL: Brantley 3 run (kick failed), 4:13 NAV: Carmona 79 pass from Abey (B.Moehring kick), 3:16 THIRD QUARTER NAV: Wood fumble recovery in endzone (B.Moehring kick), 8:30 FOURTH QUARTER TUL: Hilliard 1 run (C.Jones pass from Brantley), 12:56 A: 30,420. RUSHING: Tulane, Brantley 9-73, Hilliard 16-68, Badie 9-37, Bradwell 8-21, Banks 3-6, (Team) 1-(minus 14). Navy, Abey 29-108, High 14-51, Perry 2-17, J.Walker 1-14, Joh.Brown 1-10, N.Smith 1-1, Wood 0-0, (Team) 2-(minus 3), T.Walker 2-(minus 4). PASSING: Tulane, Banks 3-5-0-13, Brantley 5-8-0-58. Navy, Abey 4-12-1-132. RECEIVING: Tulane, Encalade 5-39, Mooney 1-24, C.Jones 1-8, Hilliard 1-0. Navy, Bonner 2-53, Carmona 1-79, Perry 1-0.