PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania — Keenan Reynolds finished the game as the FBS career touchdown leader after his three-touchdown performance helped lead the Navy Midshipmen to a 21-17 victory over the Army Black Knights in the 116th Army-Navy Game on Saturday.
Reynolds came out the gates firing on all cylinders as the senior quarterback broke a 58-yard touchdown run on Navy’s opening drive to follow up an Army field goal that started the game.
Army got their first touchdown of the game when freshman Tyler Campbell ran 29-yards for his first-ever collegiate score, which put Army up 10-7.
The Midshipmen and Black Knights exchanged scores in the second quarter and giving Army a 17-14 lead going into the half. This marked the first time since 2011 that Army led over Navy at halftime.
“The seniors took over. Our leaders took over,” said Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo following the game. “Those are the guys who said stuff. Obviously coaches say things at halftime, but when it comes from the players it carries much more weight.
“When those guys say something, there is credence to what they say.”
Reynolds threw his first and only passing touchdown of the game in the third quarter when he hit Jamir Tillman for a 50-yard score, putting Navy up 21-17 with 5:51 to go in the third quarter.
Neither team would score during the fourth quarter but Army would have their chances. The Black Knights had the ball in Navy territory with just over two minutes to play in regulation but threw an interception when a wide receiver pass play didn’t go in their favor and DeAndre Bell’s pass was picked off by Daiquan Thompson at the 3-yard line.
“Both defenses played well, but turnovers were the key to the game,” said Niumatalolo. “We couldn’t turn any of those turnovers into points, but to our defense’s credit they kept playing hard.”
Reynolds finished his final regular season game with 136 rushing yards, 113 yards through the air and three total touchdowns. He now has 86 touchdowns for his career, which makes him the FBS all-time leader for touchdowns. Jamir Tillman was Reynolds’ target of choice throughout the game as he completed five of his six passes to the junior wide receiver.
The win marked the 14th straight for Navy over Army and improved Niumatalolo’s record to 8-0 against the Black Knights.The win was also special for Reynolds as he became the only Navy quarterback to ever go 4-0 against Army.
“At the end of the day it’s all about wins and losses. Being here four years we’ve never lost to Army, that’s huge. We’ll get to visit the White House this year and get the (Commander-In-Chief) trophy back. That was the number one goal. After not getting a chance to go to the conference championship this was the goal we had to get. Losing this game would’ve hurt that much more.”
This was the final organized football game for many of Army’s seniors as their season is over and they finish 2015 with a 2-10 record, now those seniors will wait for their assignments and prepare to begin their careers in the U.S. Army.
Army hasn’t defeated Navy since 2001.
As for Navy they still have a bowl game to play as they will now prepare to take on Pittsburgh in the Military Bowl.
With the victory Navy now claim the Commander-In-Chief trophy as well as the Secretary's trophy while improving their record to 60-49-7 against Army in the all-time series.
Additional noteworthy quotes:
Ken Niumatalolo
On Army-Navy Game - “Our country is in good hands with those kids going out to serve our country. There are some bad things going on out there. To know those guys are going out to protect us, I think all of us here sleep better at night knowing that. This is just a football game; it was hard fought. There is a much more important battle going on.”
On Keenan Reynolds - “He played well. My hat is off to him. What a remarkable career. Fortunately it is not over for us; we have one more game. I am glad he came (to the Naval Academy). He was very close to playing with a lightning bolt on his helmet (at Air Force).
Keenan Reynolds
On coach Niumatalolo - “He’s definitely one of the best leaders I know. He’s taught me a lot about leadership. There are a lot of things that he does and has done that I’ve put in my toolbox for use when I get out in the fleet. He’s been an extension of family… I’ve learned a lot about life and leadership from him.”
Reynolds came out the gates firing on all cylinders as the senior quarterback broke a 58-yard touchdown run on Navy’s opening drive to follow up an Army field goal that started the game.
Army got their first touchdown of the game when freshman Tyler Campbell ran 29-yards for his first-ever collegiate score, which put Army up 10-7.
The Midshipmen and Black Knights exchanged scores in the second quarter and giving Army a 17-14 lead going into the half. This marked the first time since 2011 that Army led over Navy at halftime.
“The seniors took over. Our leaders took over,” said Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo following the game. “Those are the guys who said stuff. Obviously coaches say things at halftime, but when it comes from the players it carries much more weight.
“When those guys say something, there is credence to what they say.”
Reynolds threw his first and only passing touchdown of the game in the third quarter when he hit Jamir Tillman for a 50-yard score, putting Navy up 21-17 with 5:51 to go in the third quarter.
Neither team would score during the fourth quarter but Army would have their chances. The Black Knights had the ball in Navy territory with just over two minutes to play in regulation but threw an interception when a wide receiver pass play didn’t go in their favor and DeAndre Bell’s pass was picked off by Daiquan Thompson at the 3-yard line.
“Both defenses played well, but turnovers were the key to the game,” said Niumatalolo. “We couldn’t turn any of those turnovers into points, but to our defense’s credit they kept playing hard.”
Reynolds finished his final regular season game with 136 rushing yards, 113 yards through the air and three total touchdowns. He now has 86 touchdowns for his career, which makes him the FBS all-time leader for touchdowns. Jamir Tillman was Reynolds’ target of choice throughout the game as he completed five of his six passes to the junior wide receiver.
The win marked the 14th straight for Navy over Army and improved Niumatalolo’s record to 8-0 against the Black Knights.The win was also special for Reynolds as he became the only Navy quarterback to ever go 4-0 against Army.
“At the end of the day it’s all about wins and losses. Being here four years we’ve never lost to Army, that’s huge. We’ll get to visit the White House this year and get the (Commander-In-Chief) trophy back. That was the number one goal. After not getting a chance to go to the conference championship this was the goal we had to get. Losing this game would’ve hurt that much more.”
This was the final organized football game for many of Army’s seniors as their season is over and they finish 2015 with a 2-10 record, now those seniors will wait for their assignments and prepare to begin their careers in the U.S. Army.
Army hasn’t defeated Navy since 2001.
As for Navy they still have a bowl game to play as they will now prepare to take on Pittsburgh in the Military Bowl.
With the victory Navy now claim the Commander-In-Chief trophy as well as the Secretary's trophy while improving their record to 60-49-7 against Army in the all-time series.
Additional noteworthy quotes:
Ken Niumatalolo
On Army-Navy Game - “Our country is in good hands with those kids going out to serve our country. There are some bad things going on out there. To know those guys are going out to protect us, I think all of us here sleep better at night knowing that. This is just a football game; it was hard fought. There is a much more important battle going on.”
On Keenan Reynolds - “He played well. My hat is off to him. What a remarkable career. Fortunately it is not over for us; we have one more game. I am glad he came (to the Naval Academy). He was very close to playing with a lightning bolt on his helmet (at Air Force).
Keenan Reynolds
On coach Niumatalolo - “He’s definitely one of the best leaders I know. He’s taught me a lot about leadership. There are a lot of things that he does and has done that I’ve put in my toolbox for use when I get out in the fleet. He’s been an extension of family… I’ve learned a lot about life and leadership from him.”