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Game Recap: Navy Downs San Jose State 41-31

Keenan Reynolds and company exposed the Spartans poor rush defense for over 400 rushing yards in a strong win.

Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Keenan Reynolds owned San Jose State last year.  As a point of reference to how much he dominated the Spartans last year, Reynolds accumulated 240 yards and 8 touchdowns (7 on the ground, one through the air).

This year, he picked up right where he left off.

The junior quarterback from Antioch, Tennessee worked his magic against the Spartans, accounting for 251 of the 423 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns on the ground.  His statistics were not as eye-popping as last year: they didn't need to be.  The Midshipmen running corps provided plenty of support to keep San Jose State's offense from ever coming back in this game.

An early fumble on the first offensive drive of the game had the Middies concerned, as the Spartans recovered in the red zone.  Navy's defense responded automatically, intercepting Spartan QB Joe Gray on the 3 yard line.

After an Austin Lopez field goal to put the Spartans up, Noah Copeland responded with a 6-yard touchdown.  After Joe Gray and the Spartans marched down the field and scored a touchdown to make the score 10-7, Reynolds led the cadets to Charles Zimmerman's tune, "Anchors Aweigh" as he set the Navy career touchdown record, previously held by Ricky Dobbs.

San Jose State kept the game close throughout the first half, but red zone troubles combined with a severe lack of any rush defense prevented any serious comeback in the second half.

Navy moves to 4-4 on the year and needs to get to 6 wins to become bowl eligible. A quick look at the schedule reveals that while it should happen, it will all depend on whether or not Reynolds can stay healthy.  He has, after all, written his way into the Midshipmen history books and it would be nice to have a cherry on top this season.  Navy will have their work cut out for them, as they face the 16th ranked rush defense next week in Notre Dame.