Armed Forces Bowl: Navy Cruises To Easy Win Over Middle Tennessee
Quarterback Keenan Reynolds rushed for 86 yards with two touchdowns as the Navy Midshipmen cruised to a 24-6 rout of Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Monday at Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl.
Reynolds once again starred the Navy's potent triple-option offense as he dissected Middle Tennessee's defense with relative offense, thanks to his outstanding passing and rushing game.
The Midshipmen quarterback has already recorded 31 rushing touchdown this season, putting him in conversation as one of the greatest rushers in college football history alongside Wisconsin's running back Monte Ball (33 TDs) and football legend Barry Sanders, who racked up 37 rushing touchdowns during his tenure with Oklahoma State.
"It's huge. You just say the name Barry Sanders and you can stop right there," Reynolds said via ESPN.
"He probably was the greatest college player there was. Just to be even in that conversation with guys like that is a humbling experience. I never thought I would be in that category."
Navy's imposing defense also did the damage Monday afternoon as it held down Middle Tennessee to its season-low in points production.
"This was the first time we kept a team completely out of the end zone. It was huge to finish like this," Senior Linebacker Cody Peterson said.
"Last two games, our defense has played phenomenal," Coach Ken Niumatalolo said.
"Middle Tennessee has been moving the ball against a lot of people," he added.