Army Runs Navy Into the Ground : Cadets Use Long Marches to Overcome Midshipmen, 27-7

PHILADELPHIA — Army’s wishbone offense got on track in the second half at Veterans Stadium Saturday, and the Cadets rolled over Navy, 27-7, in the 87th meeting between the service academies.

Army ran for 317 yards overall, including 208 in the last 30 minutes, as it scored touchdowns on its first three possessions after halftime to get even for last year’s 17-7 loss to the Midshipmen.

Junior quarterback Tory Crawford led the way with 94 yards in 23 carries, including a 1-yard touchdown run. Clarence Jones gained 70 yards, scoring once from five yards out. Benny Wright ran for 73 yards, and Andy Peterson’s 62 yards included a 1-yard touchdown run.

“We were surprised we could run the ball so successfully on them,” said Crawford, who gained 1,078 yards this year to become only the sixth Cadet to rush for more than 1,000 yards in a season. “Navy has an excellent defensive team. They’re huge.”

Army, however, ruled the line of scrimmage.

“I thought our lines were able to control their lines, something we didn’t do a year ago,” Army Coach Jim Young said. “That was the main difference.

“We have to run. That’s our offense. We expect to run and keep on carrying it until we put it in the end zone, which we didn’t do last year.”

The Cadets (6-5) also failed to do it in the first half Saturday, settling for two 24-yard field goals from Keith Walker in the penalty-free game after long drives were stopped inside the Navy 10.

For the first time this season, Army won even though Crawford did not rush for more than 100 yards. The Cadets had been 0-5 in games in which Crawford was held under 100.

Navy (3-8) scored on a three-yard run by Don Holl and still leads the series, 41-39-7.

Walker’s two field goals gave Army a 6-0 halftime lead as the Midshipmen were hurt by three turnovers in the first 30 minutes.

The Cadets extended their lead to 13-0 on Peterson’s 1-yard run 2:21 into the third quarter after a 44-yard, six-play drive that was set up when Dave Marks returned a squib kickoff 34 yards.

The drive was kept alive when Crawford’s fumble was recovered by Wright at the Navy three for a 27-yard gain. Peterson scored two plays later.

Navy cut Army’s lead to 13-7 on Holl’s three-yard run with 5:52 left in the third quarter to cap a 71-yard, 14-play drive.

Crawford’s one-yard touchdown run 1:31 into the fourth quarter capped a 79-yard, 17-play drive that demonstrated the effectiveness of Army’s wishbone offense. The march took 7:23 and left the Cadets with a 20-7 lead.

On its next possession, Army moved 48 yards in seven plays, again all on the ground, to go ahead 27-7 on Jones’ five-yard run.