Perry rushes for 304 yards, ends Navy’s skid against Army
PHILADELPHIA — Navy used a trick play to help reverse a rare losing streak against Army and Malcolm Perry ran for a careerhigh 304 yards and two touchdowns in front of President Donald Trump in the No. 21 Mids’ 317 victory Saturday at Lincoln Financial Field.
Navy (92, No. 23, CFP) won the CommanderInChief ’s Trophy for the 16th time and snapped a threegame losing streak to Army in the 120th game between the service academies.
Navy leads the series 61527. The Black Knights (58) were trying to win four straight games in the ArmyNavy series for the first time since 1993 to 1996.
Perry, the 5foot9, 190pound senior quarterback, helped the fleet of foot Navy offense run away with the game with another game for the record book. He ran for a 55yard TD in the first half, added a 44yard scamper and set Navy season records in yards rushing and total 100yard games. But his most GIFworthy play didn’t end up with his name on the scoring sheet. He took the snap at the 1yard line, ran to his left and handed off the ball to receiver Chance Warren who threw to Jamale Carothers for the score and a 147 lead. It was Navy’s twist on the Philly Special — the Naval Special? — at the home of the Philadelphia Eagles.
It was Navy’s only yard passing of the game. Perry was the game’s MVP.
Perry did not attempt a pass attempt and Army surprise starter Christian 31 7
Anderson threw just one pass. There was more running at the Linc than at the Penn Relays held down the road each spring.
Anderson wasn’t even listed on the twodeep depth chart and got the call over an apparently injured Kelvin Hopkins Jr. Hopkins had two rushing touchdowns last year in Army’s 1710 win over Navy. Anderson sparked the Black Knights on the game’s opening drive, scoring on a 5yard run to cap a methodical 10 minute, 41 second drive.
Perry needed just four plays to even the score on his first dynamic run of the game that sent the Mids into a frenzy. The traditional Philly game drew 68,075 fans and ESPN’s “College GameDay” was on hand. The Cadets and Midshipmen stood, saluted, bounced and cheered for the entirety of what’s billed as “America’s Game.” Trump made a return visit for the second straight year. Trump also was at the 2016 game as presidentelect.
Trump wore a red “Keep America Great” hat for the traditional coin flip in misty conditions. Army called heads, the coin landed tails and the Midshipmen deferred possession. The referee said before the toss it was with, “great pride, great honor, to welcome our Commander in Chief, our President of the United States, Donald J. Trump. Mr. President, thank you for all that you do.”
With pride and patriotism stretched end zone to end zone, Trump sat on the Army side of the field in the first half and crossed the field to the Navy side for the second half.
Carothers crossed the goal line for a 5yard score in the third that made it 213 and sent the 101 / 2point favorite Mids on their way toward clinching the CIC Trophy, awarded to the team with the best record in games among the three service academies.
Bijan Nichols kicked a 37yard field goal and Perry added a 15yard TD run in the fourth.
UP NEXT
Army’s season is over. Navy plays Kansas State on Dec. 31 in the Liberty Bowl.