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Navy hangs on to beat Temple for Niumatalolo's 100th win
Published October 11, 2020
Nelson Smith scored two touchdowns, Bijan Nichols kicked a critical 50-yard field goal and Terrell Adams denied a 2-point conversion attempt in the final minute as Navy defeated Temple 31-29 on Saturday.
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With the 4,400-strong Brigade of Midshipmen in attendance for the first time this season, Navy scored first and led thereafter in giving Ken Niumatalolo his 100th career win, all at the academy.
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The Midshipmen rolled up 251 yards rushing, led by Smith, who had 120 yards on 20 carries, including TDs of 26 and 22 yards, the second score giving Navy a 28-17 lead with just over a minute left in the third quarter.
Temple's Anthony Russo scored from 9 yards out early in the fourth quarter but his 2-point pass was nullified by a penalty. The Midshipmen (2-2, 2-0 American) then used up nine minutes on a drive that ended with Nichols' field goal, the longest for Navy in nearly a decade.
Temple drove the field with Re'Mahn Davis' 1-yard run getting the Owls within two, but Russo's conversion pass was broken up by Adams, who led Navy with nine tackles.
Navy, which has had a different starting quarterback in its first three games, put Dalen Morris back in charge of the option offense. He completed his only two passes, one a 36-yard screen to CJ Williams that set up Chance Warren's short TD run in the second quarter.
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Russo was 21-of-30 passing for 206 yards, with a touchdown and an interception in the Owls' season opener.
This was the third time in four games Navy faced a team playing its season opener.
The Owls wore an “Owls for Justice” patch on their uniforms. The patch will be worn by all of Temple's varsity teams.
https://www.foxnews.com/sports/navy-hangs-on-to-beat-temple-for-niumatalolos-100th-win