Navy boots AF out of trophy bid

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. James A. Rush
  • U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AFPN) --  Air Force Academy’s chances to regain the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy got booted by the “worst kicker in college football” Sept. 30 when a Navy field goal handed the Falcons a 24-21 loss here.

During the game, ESPN commentators referred to Midshipman place-kicker Geoff Blumenfeld’s 0-4 track record on three-pointers this year, but Blumenfeld had the last word, however, when he booted a 30-yard shot with four seconds left to give Navy the win.

Air Force gave Blumenfeld lots of time to think about the play, twice calling timeout just as he lined up to kick. But the tactic failed, and the senior split the uprights, leaped over an Air Force defender and pumped his fist as he ran toward the sideline.

Both teams are known for their rushing attacks which rank among the nation’s best each year. Despite this, the game came down to key passing plays by the Falcons’ Shaun Carney and Navy’s Aaron Polanco.

Carney, after being replaced by backup Adam Fitch in the third quarter, came back to engineer a game-tying drive on three passes. The freshman signal caller split two defenders to find J.P. Waller on a 38-yard pass and followed with a 10-yarder to Alec Messerall. Now at the Navy 19, Carney hit Darnell Stephens for a touchdown on the next play. The quarterback tied the game at 14 running in for the two-point conversion with 7 minutes, 50 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

Although Air Force’s defense struggled in the first half, it had solved the problem of stopping Navy’s rushing attack. The Falcons allowed only 22 yards and no first downs through about 25 minutes of the second half.

Facing third down deep in Falcon territory, Navy turned to Polanco’s arm for the help. The senior stepped back to pass, rolled to his right to escape the Air Force rush and threw a 66-yard strike to Marco Nelson. Soon after, fullback Kyle Eckel breached the end zone on a 3-yard touchdown run giving Navy a 21-14 lead at the 4:15 point.

Air Force’s response was swift. Led again by Carney’s passing, the Falcons tied the game on his 12-yard pass to Waller, followed by a point-after kick with 2:21 left. Waller (102) and Messerall (103) each finished the game with more than 100 yards receiving.

Polanco gave the Midshipmen a 14-6 lead after two quarters. The quarterback attacked with both arm and legs notching a 13-yard touchdown pass and an 18-yard scoring run.

Air Force kicker Mike Greenway was good for two short field goals early in the game. Both opportunities came after Navy stopped Falcon drives deep into the red zone.

The victory eliminates Air Force from CINC Trophy competition. Even with an Air Force win over Army, coupled with a Navy loss to West Point, Navy would keep the trophy.

Navy (5-0) looks to win the trophy outright by beating Army on Dec. 4.

Air Force (2-3) is mired in its worst start since 1994 when it began 0-3.