Poinsettia Bowl Review

Well, I didn't nail it exactly, but I'll take it. Navy more than stayed in the game for the most part, and they did it for longer than I expected. Never underestimate the power of the triple option. Utah was faster, stronger and more skilled than the Midshipmen, and it didn't show until about 9 minutes into the 3rd quarter (I thought Utah would have had the slight edge at this point) when they finally discovered what they should have done all game, PASS. Short little dink and dunks mixed with a stop and go TD to Derek Richards looked to put the game out of the Midshipman's reach. But the academy kept to what they do best, and ran the hell out of the ball.

My players to watch out for were Eric Kettani on the Navy side of the ball, who made me look smart as he was the Midshipman's best offensive player on the night. 125 yards on only 12 carries and 2 monster runs where Kettani displayed his 4.5 speed and 400 pound bench press including a 43 yard TD run to start the 2nd half.

I pegged freshman Jerome Brooks on Utah to have a nice game as well, he scored the Utes 2nd td on a 25 yard reverse, showcasing the speed and athleticism that made him a 3 time MVP of his high school.

I thought that Derek Richards would put together a nice final game and earn the MVP honors, and while he didn't quite have the ballgame I anticipated (I thought 110, td, a couple good returns and maybe a reverse) he ended up with 4 grabs for 61 yards and a 40 yard touchdown.

Now as far the spread (Utes were laying 8) is concerned, that was about as close to heartbreak as I've ever suffered. It seemed all but hopeless until the Utes offense started clicking and when they finally took 28-17 lead at the start of the 4th quarter. They seemed to have finally got the option figured out as Utah defenders started sticking to their assignments and making plays. But Navy marched down the field, thanks to a long run by Kettani, and capped off the drive with a Shun White 10 yard TD catch and 2 pt conversion.

No big deal, Utah seemed to be on a roll and had 9 minutes left to drive the field, take 7 and change off the clock and punch it in again. Thus covering the spread because we all Navy can't pass......right. Its games like this that make me want to take an Ambien, go to sleep early and just read the box score in the morning.

Utah cut up the Navy defense as they had been all throughout the second half, until a 3rd and 4 at the Navy 27 yard line. QB Brian Johnson took the snap, ran to the left looked to have been stopped behind the line of scrimmage, and then miraculously someone hit the circle button on his controller as he spun left and scrambled safley for 7 yards keeping the Utah drive alive. Now fast forward to a 3rd and goal from the Navy four, Brian Johnson throws a quick out to Jerome Brooks, he turns upfield and jumps to stretch towards the pile-on as he flies out of bounds.

Brooks fumbled the ball in mid-air and it hit the pile-on. Touchback right? Not exactly. The refs convened to review the play, and the original call of out of bounds was upheld. So now we get a second chance at convering this spread, all Utah needs to do is punch it in from 2 feet and we got a 10 point lead with 2 and half minutes left. STUFF!!!! Darrell Mack somehow doesn't manage to get into the endzone, AHHHH! Now Navy has first and 10 from their own inch line, saftey does no good. We need a td, so a pick/fumble six or more likely turnover on downs and td is needed. Navy manages to get the all to about the 8 yard line, but are stuffed on a 4th and 2.

Utah ball, 2 and a half minutes, 7 yards to go. Looking good. Feeling even better as Darrell Mack crosses the goal line for his second touchdown, Utah now up 35-25! Spread is covered, and I forgot to mention I took the under too which was 63.5, so everything looks great. Navy now has to go 70 yards in 50 seconds to ruin this spread.

They haven't had a pass over 40 yards ALL SEASON.

Until 1st and 10 from their own 42.

Zerbin Singleton, a 165 pound aspiring astronaut, would forever ruin my night and likeness for Navy football as he finds himself wide open on a crossing route and motors 58 yards for a score (Robert Johnson with THE WORST angle ever by the way, should have had the tackle at the 20 yard line).

Spread, GONE. Under GONE. Thank you Zerbin, thank you for nothing.

Now the only way we can come back and win this is with a recovered onside kick and pick/fumble for six. Zerbin gives me a reason to hope as he jumps up and somehow out muscles the defender for the onsides kick. But Navy would throw a pick soon after, although it wasn't returned for any yards let alone six points. Game Over. Soooooooooooooooooooooooo close!

MY GRADE:

Prediction- Navy 16, Utah 34 Actual- Navy 32, Utah 35: B

Players to Watch- Eric Kettani, 12 carries 124yards td, 1rec -4yards: A+
- Jerome Brooks, 2carries 25yards td, 3rec 14yards: B

MVP- Derek Richards- 4rec, 61 yards td, 1punt ret 4yrds: B-


Overall Grade: B