WKU at Navy Game Thread

[Sean_Williams]

1st Quarter Notes:

- Nice initial drive for WKU to start. A 9-play, 69 yard drive featuring a nice dose of Leon Allen and Antwane Grant. The block in the back penalty really killed the momentum, but were able to put points on the board with a Schwettman 37-yard field goal to take an early 3-0 lead.

- Hilltopper defense looked a little weary on Navy's second offensive possession as the Midshipmen roll down the field on a 9-play, 76 yard drive that was capped by a Keenan Reynolds 4-yard touchdown run. Big play on that drive was a 4th down conversion by Navy where the fullback busted right up the middle for a 28-yard scamper to set the Middies up at the 7-yard line. Easy money on that drive. Navy 7, WKU 3.

- WKU finished 4 of 6 on third down conversions in the first stanza. Seem to be doing a good job in the passing game on the edges with Antwane Grant and Jared Dangerfield, those matchups could work in the Hilltoppers' favor throughout the rest of the game.

Total Yardage in Quarter:
WKU - 136
Navy - 81

Leon Allen has 41 rushing yards on five carries

 

[Sean_Williams]

2nd Quarter Notes:[/I]

- Garrett Schwettman hits a 36-yard field goal to trim Navy's lead to 7-6 with 13:03 remaining int he second stanza. WKU, once again, unable to cross the goal line when getting into red zone territory. Right now, Navy is doing their part on the "bend, but don't break" defensive philosophy.

- Noah Copeland answers for Navy on a fullback dive play with a 41-yard sprint to the endzone to extend the Middies lead to 14-6 with 10:58 remaining. That play capped a 5-play, 74-yard drive for the home team. Hilltopper defense has been very un-impressive the last two possessions.

- After the offense stalled, the Hilltoppers get a much needed break as Navy fumbles the ball on a handoff attempt. Ge'Monee Brown with the swat and Nick Holt with the recovery. Doughty and McNeal turn the fumble into treasure with a 13-yard touchdown strike across the middle to trim the Navy lead to 14-13 with 9:32 remaining in the second quarter. Tops needed that one.

- I'm all about being aggressive on offense, therefore, I agree with the call to go for a quick-strike touchdown at the end of the half. However, poor execution and a bad break as the ball was deflected up in the air and picked off by Navy. Fortunately, Forrest Lamp had enough wheels to make the tackle on the defender to end the half and prevent further damage. Regardless, the Tops came away with zero points, they could have had at least 3 and took a 16-14 lead.

Navy heads into the locker room with a 14-13 lead.

 

[Sean_Williams]

3rd Quarter Notes:[/I]

- Navy gets off to a fast start with a Toneo Gulley 19-yard touchdown run on a pretty toss and timely blocking by the Middies O-line to extend their lead to 21-13 at the 11:44 mark.

- The Hilltoppers offense strikes back as Doughty connects with Jared Dangerfield for a 31-yard touchdown pass, unfortunately, Uncle Willie can't snag the two-point conversion attempt which means the Midshipmen maintain a 21-19 lead over the Tops with 9:46 remaining. Interesting decision to chase the points at this early stage, could come back to bite WKU late in the fourth quarter...we shall see. A few points being left out on the field by WKU.

- Right now, Doughty is 27 of 40 for 253 yards with two scores and an interception. Leon Allen has 74 yards on 10 carries while Jared Dangerfield has six grabs for 70 yards and a score.

- Hilltoppers dodge a bullet as Navy kicker Nick Sloan misses a 28-yard field goal attempt, sliding off the left upright. Navy was set up well after another Noah Copeland 52-yard rumble down the sidelines. WKU defense was able to tighten up and hold, their reward...a field goal miss. 6:23 remaining in the third quarter.

- WKU reclaims the lead on another Schwettman FG, this time from 33-yards. Tops now ontop 22-21 with :26 seconds remaining the quarter. Hilltoppers once again get in the redzone, but are unable to cross the goal line for six points instead settling for another FG. Three is better than zero though, and those three points give WKU the lead heading into the fourth quarter.

 

[Sean_Williams]

4th Quarter Notes:

- The difference in the WKU defense in the second half has been putting pressure on Keenan Reynolds. Gavin Rocker gets to him on a big 3rd and 6 play to force Navy to punt in the early stages of the fourth quarter. Could be a momentum shifting play if the offense can capitalize with a touchdown on their next possession.

- On cue, the Hilltoppers put together a monstrous 15-play, 91-yard drive capped off with a Brandon Doughty one-yard TD plunge to put WKU up 29-21 with 6:52 remaining in the game. Huge drive by WKU. Interesting to see if the defense continues their second half success for the remainder of the game...lots of time remaining.

- The WKU defense did not respond very well, Navy marches down the field with the greatest of ease as Keenan Reynolds crosses the goal-line on a two-yard touchdown run to cut the WKU lead to 29-27. However, Prince Charles Iworah intercepts a Reynolds pass on a two-point conversion attempt and the Hilltoppers are still standing tall with 4:31 remaining in the game.

- Wonderful Terry just did what Wonderful Terry does...make big plays! He seals the deal with a 43-yard interception return for a touchdown to put WKU up 36-27 with :45 remaining in the game. Tops will improve to 2-2 on the season, will host UAB next Saturday at Houchens-Smith Stadium at 6 p.m.

 

[Sean_Williams]

Western Kentucky bounces back to snap their two-game bender and pick up a huge victory on the road against Navy by a final score of 36-27. The defense did a lot of bending, but at the end they didn't break and they came up with key third-down stops against the Navy offense late in the game with the icing on the cake coming from Wonderful Terry's 43-yard interception return for a score.

WKU 36 - Navy 27 Final Stats