Midshipmen stifle Knights’ surge
PHILADELPHIA — With perfection at stake, Keenan Reynolds ended his Navy career with a clean sweep against Army.
Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo just might leave the academy the same way.
Reynolds rushed for two touchdowns and threw for another score to lead the No. 21 Midshipmen to their 14th straight win over the Black Knights, 21-17 on Saturday at Lincoln Financial Field.
“That was the No. 1 goal,” Reynolds said. “To be able to be here four years and never lose against Army, that’s huge.”
The Midshipmen (10-2) can hook an anchor to the Commander-In-Chief ’s Trophy. It’s coming back to Annapolis, Md., after a one-year hiatus.
Reynolds’ second rushing TD was his 85th career score, the most for any FBS or FCS Division I player. Reynolds is the first QB to go 4-for-4 in a classic rivalry that began in 1890. Navy leads the series 60-49-7.
Niumatalolo improved to 8-0 against the Black Knights two days before he is set to visit BYU to talk about the program’s coaching vacancy.
Niumatalolo tied former Army coach Earl “Red” Blaik (8-8-2) for most wins in the series. Niumatalolo (67-37) is the winningest coach in Navy history
Army coach Jeff Monken showed his program might be closing the gap on Navy — but blew any chance of an upset in the fourth. Daniel Grochowski missed a 29-yard fieldgoal attempt, Chris Carter lost a fumble at the Navy 34 and Navy had two interceptions. Army’s Hail Mary on the final play of the game fell short.
The season is over for Army (2-10). Navy plays Pittsburgh (8-4) in the Dec. 28 Military Bowl in Annapolis.