RARE NAVY LOSS ON SENIOR DAY

Senior day at Navy-marine Corps Memorial Stadium, like most things in 2020, was largely unrecognizable Saturday in Annapolis, Md. Safety guidelines in place amid the coronavirus pandemic left the stands nearly empty — no fans and not even the Midshipmen, who had been allowed earlier in the season, were present. Select family members of Navy players were present, but they couldn’t participate in pregame festivities on the field.

So each of the 26 seniors, carrying American flags, took the slow walk to midfield alone for a final introduction, with just the coaching staff clapping from the sideline and fewer than 250 family members cheering them on. Parents and family members were still involved, in a way: Taped introductions — announcing each player’s name, position, number and hometown — played on the video board.

The game’s outcome was different,

Tulsa 19, Navy 6 too: Navy suffered its first loss on senior day since 2002 as No. 24 Tulsa clinched a spot opposite Cincinnati in the American Athletic Conference championship game with a 19-6 victory.

The Midshipmen (3-6, 3-4 AAC), who have lost four in a row, managed just 71 yards in the first half and were sitting on negative-4 yards at the end of the first quarter. Coach Ken Niumatalolo handed the keys to Xavier Arline in an attempt to jump-start an offense that has been largely ineffective. The freshman QB finished with 60 yards on 27 carries and 27 yards on 4-for-8 passing as Navy managed just 153 yards.

Tulsa (6-1, 6-0) finished with 296 yards. Quarterback Zach Smith threw for 168 yards and a 66-yard touchdown to Josh Johson that snapped a 6-6 tie late in the third quarter.

No. 1 Alabama 55, LSU 17: Mac Jones passed for 385 yards and four TDS and Alabama used a slew of big plays to run away from LSU. Alabama receiver Davonta Smith caught eight passes for 213 yards and three of Jones’ TD.

No. 4 Ohio State 52, Michigan State 12: Justin Fields ran for two touchdowns, passed for two more and Haskell Garrett returned an interception for a score as the Buckeyes won without 23 players, coach Ryan Day and a few other members of the staff.

Rice 20, No. 21 Marshall 0: Safety Naeem Smith returned one of five Marshall interceptions for a touchdown and the Owls (2-2 Conference USA) shocked the Thundering Herd (7-1, 4-1) at Huntington, W.VA.

Notable

South Carolina is hiring Oklahoma assistant Shane Beamer ,a former Gamecocks assistant and the son of former Virginia Tech coach Frank Breamer, as its new head coach, according to Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports and The Athletic.