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Armed Forces Bowl final score: Navy defeats Middle Tennessee 24-6

By Bernie D'Amato

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Dec 30, 2013; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Navy Midshipmen running back DeBrandon Sanders (21) runs for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the game against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Photo Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports.
Dec 30, 2013; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Navy Midshipmen running back DeBrandon Sanders (21) runs for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the game against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Photo Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports. /

The Navy Midshipmen defeated the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders 24-6 at the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl in Fort Worth, Texas.  The game was played at Amon G. Carter Stadium, home of the Texas Christian Horned Frogs.

Navy QB Keenan Reynolds rushed for two TDs, bringing his season total to 31, and setting the record for most rushing touchdowns in a season by a quarterback in FBS history.  The sophomore from Antioch, Tenn. has quite the career ahead.

In addition to the two TDs, Reynolds fumbled twice in the red zone, stalling Navy’s offense for the first three quarters.  Navy cleaned up their mistakes in the fourth quarter, and capitalized on Middle Tennessee’s poor play to secure a decisive victory.

A crucial play came at the beginning of the fourth quarter.  Navy began marching down the field, and RB Darius Staten rushed for 10 yards before fumbling the ball out of bounds at the Middle Tennessee 42.  Navy was fortunate the ball went out of bounds, and received a 15-yard boost to the Middle Tennessee 27 because of an unsportsmanlike conduct call on DB Roderic Blunt.  It was Blunt’s second unsportsmanlike foul of the day, and led to an automatic ejection.  With Blunt gone, the momentum swung in Navy’s favor.

On the same drive, Navy QB Keenan Reynolds rushed for his second TD of the game, breaking Navy’s 33 minute scoreless drought.  With the extra point, Navy took a 17-6 lead with 10:48 to go in the fourth.

Navy took control of the game on the next drive with an interception by George Jamison at the Middle Tennessee 43.  On the second play after the interception, RB DeBrandon Sanders broke through for a 41-yard TD rush.  The 24-6 final score was sealed after Blue Raider QB Logan Kilgore was intercepted by DJ Sargenti at the Navy one yard line.  Navy bled the clock for the final four minutes, and captured the Armed Forces Bowl.

Navy finished the season at 9-4, and Middle Tennessee fell to 8-5.

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