Navy falls to Marshall, 49-7

 

Pre-game - Navy and Marshall met for the first time in the 2021 season opener for both schools.  Prior to the game there was a moment of silence for Michelle Cummings, the mother of Navy freshman offensive lineman, Trey Cummings.  Cummings was shot by a stray bullet on June 29 when she was in Annapolis for the Naval Academy’s induction day.

The Herd Starts Quickly - Marshall started their opening drive on their own 25 yard line. QB Chad Wells connected with Talik Keaton on a post routed for 47 yards to the Navy 28.  Eight plays later, Rasheen Ali hit pay dirt with a two yard touchdown run.  The play capped off a 9-play, 75 yard drive taking a 7-0 lead.

Lack of execution - Navy’s first two drives of the game ended with poor execution.  On Navy’s opening drive, the Mids faced a fourth down in Marshall territory.  Senior wide receiver, Mychal Cooper dropped a Tai Lavatai pass that would have been a first down and extended the drive.  On their ensuing possession down 14-0, a Bijan Nichols 41-yard field goal attempt was blocked by TJ Johnson keeping the Mids off the scoreboard.

Great call, Ivin - Navy offensive coordinator, Ivin Jasper called a reverse pitch to Jayden Umbarger on a fourth-and-three at the Marshall 42.  Umbarger gained 28 yards on the carry to the Herd 14 yard line.  The Mids were unable to score on the drive.

Clutch plays - Navy senior free safety, Kevin Brennan had two big takeaways in the game.  Early in the second quarter with the ball deep in Navy territory, Brennan recovered a Sheldon Evans fumble on the Midshipmen 21 yard line.  In the third quarter, Brennan picked off a Wells pass and returned it to the Marshall 15.

Key stats - Navy dominated the time of possession in the game - 41:19 to 18:41.  Navy also ran 29 more plays than Marshall.

Navy punted the ball 6 times in the game, averaging just 29.8 yards per punt.

Marshall fumbled the ball 4 times in the game, only losing one.

Wrap up - 

Marshall dominated Navy, 49-7 on the opening of the season for both teams.  The Herd dominated from the beginning of the game scoring in every quarter and holding the Mids to a late touchdown run by Xavier Arline in the fourth quarter.

Marshall RB, Rasheen Ali scored four touchdowns, including the first three of the game to help put Navy out of the game early.  He finished with 59 yards on 14 carries.  Grant Wells threw for 333 yards to keep the Navy defense off balance.

Navy rushed for 385 yards, but could not finish drives with points.  The Mids were just 1 for 5 in scoring points in the red zone.

Navy will host rival Air Force on the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on 9/11 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.