After trailing for the majority of the game, the Navy Midshipmen pulled off a stunning comeback in the final six minutes to beat the Indiana Hoosiers 31-30 on Saturday. Indiana led throughout the first half and held a nine-point lead in the fourth quarter, but Navy came through with enough big plays late.
Over the final 12 minutes of the game, Navy held possession for roughly 11 minutes, dominating a Hoosiers team that was leading 30-21 up to that point. With quarterback Keenan Reynolds getting the offense going late after a slow first half, the Midshipmen were able to get the necessary points.
Since beginning the season 2-0, Indiana has now lost five consecutive games, giving up an average of nearly 40 points per game. Navy has fared much better of late, winning four of its past five games since getting outscored 84-17 combined against Notre Dame and Penn State during the first two weeks of the season.
Box Score Hero: Reynolds finished with solid overall numbers, totaling 162 yards and two touchdowns combined through the ground and air, while running back Gee Gee Greene led the team in rushing with 88 yards. Indiana quarterback Cameron Coffman completed 25 of 37 passes for 244 yards and two interceptions.
Rankings Ramifications: Neither team is particularly likely to get much attention from poll voters this week.
But Did They Cover? Navy was favored to win by three points, so it didn't cover.
Looking to go over .500 for the first time this season, the Navy Midshipmen trail 20-14 at halftime to the Indiana Hoosiers on Saturday night. The Indiana offense has had little trouble moving the ball in Memorial Stadium, putting together four drives of 50-plus yards already, although a costly interception has Navy within a score.
Unlike the Navy offense, Indiana has found a nice balance on offense so far on Saturday. Quarterback Cameron Coffman has completed 18-of-22 passes for 171 yards, plus the trio of Stephen Houston, D'Angelo Roberts and Tevin Coleman has combined to carry the ball 24 times for 92 yards and two touchdowns.
Needing a big play to stay in the game late in the second quarter, Navy's defense came through with a big touchdown when Jordan Drake returned a Coffman pass 24 yards for the score. The Hoosiers offense did respond by driving down inside Navy's 10-yard line before the end of the half, though.
Indiana's offense has kept Navy's off the field for the most part, but the Midshipmen did manage to put together a lengthy drive early in the second quarter. Quarterback Kennan Reynolds scored the touchdown from just two yards out, but the freshman has accounted for just 63 total yards so far.