Navy QB Keenan Reynolds Sets Rushing TD Record as Navy Downs SMU 55-14

The 20th ranked Navy Midshipmen showed no signs of a letdown following their 45-20 demolition of Memphis last week.  Behind Keenan Reynolds five touchdowns that included the 78th of his career to set the all-time NCAA  record and a defense that was able to hold SMU well below its season average, the Midshipmen rolled over SMU 55-14.  This moved Navy to 8-1 on the season and kept them undefeated in conference play with two conference games left this year.

Garret Krstich got the start for SMU, getting one snap at QB in order to honor his late father, who was a captain at Navy in 1969. It was a classy move by first year SMU head coach Chad Morris. SMU went three and out on the drive with Matt Davis able to scramble around for what seemed like 30 seconds on third down, but good coverage downfield prevented a conversion.

On Navy's first drive of the game, Keenan Reynolds wasted no time in getting the all-time NCAA rushing touchdown record out of the way. After methodically driving down the field, Reynolds took it in from four yards out, giving him 78 rushing touchdowns in his career and moving him past Montee Ball into sole first place in NCAA history.

Navy was able to force another three and out on the next drive, and the ensuing result for the Navy offense was all too familiar with Keenan Reynolds taking it 43 yards to the house and grabbing his 79th rushing touchdown of his career.

The Navy defense forced a third consecutive three and out to start the game on the next drive, and tell me if you've heard this before but Keenan Reynolds got a rushing touchdown on the next offensive possession. That put him at 80 for his career and extended his NCAA record of career games with three or more rushing TD's to 15.

SMU finally showed some life on their next drive, getting to the Navy side of the field for the first time on the day, but Will Anthony blocked the Mustang field goal attempt, and Keenan Reynolds wasted no time finding a wide open Jamir Tillman for a 72 yard touchdown pass to put the Midshipmen up 28-0.

SMU was finally able to put a drive together on the next series, capped off with a Matt Davis 1 yard touchdown on 3rd and goal to make the score 28-7 going into the half.

Navy started the second half doing what it does best. They put together a seven minute drive that included two fourth down conversions and a perfectly timed pitch to Demond Brown who took it 19 yards for the score to put the Midshipmen up 34-7.

SMU answered right back, using a six play drive and a 32 yard pass from Davis to Kevin Thomas to cut the score to 34-14.

After forcing Navy to punt for the first time all game, SMU was unable to take advantage as Jeremiah Gaines dropped a wide open pass on fourth down and Navy got the ball back on their own 47 yard line.

On the next Navy drive, Keenan Reynolds would add number 81 to his record, tying him with Louisiana Tech running back Kenneth Dixon for second all time in total touchdowns scored and putting Navy up 41-14.

Navy would force its first turnover of the game on the next SMU possession as Daiquan Thomasson got his first career interception and extended Navy's streak of consecutive games forcing a turnover to 16.

Tago Smith would take over for Keenan Reynolds after the turnover, capping Reynolds day at 218 yards of total offense and five touchdowns.  Navy would add two more touchdowns from Joshua Walker and Tago Smith, making the final score 55-14.

It was a great way to send out a senior class that is now three victories away from being the all-time winningest class in school history.

An important showdown with Houston that could have serious conference title game implications awaits in two weeks, but for now, the Mids must stick to their motto of 1-0 and take care of Tulsa on the road next week.