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Keenan Reynolds brings Hollywood ending to Annapolis in Military Bowl Keenan Reynolds brings Hollywood ending to Annapolis in Military Bowl
(about 4 hours later)
There were a number of things that Keenan Reynolds failed to do on Monday afternoon inside Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.There were a number of things that Keenan Reynolds failed to do on Monday afternoon inside Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.
He didn’t sing the national anthem — Miss America did. He didn’t make a single tackle — if only because Navy Coach Ken Niumatalolo didn’t think to get him on the field with the defensive unit.He didn’t sing the national anthem — Miss America did. He didn’t make a single tackle — if only because Navy Coach Ken Niumatalolo didn’t think to get him on the field with the defensive unit.
But that was pretty much the list. He did everything else one could possibly ask of someone playing his last college football game. He even provided the perfect Hollywood ending to Navy’s dream season, racing into the end zone from nine yards out with 4 minutes 19 seconds to go to clinch Navy’s 44-28 victory over Pittsburgh in the Military Bowl.But that was pretty much the list. He did everything else one could possibly ask of someone playing his last college football game. He even provided the perfect Hollywood ending to Navy’s dream season, racing into the end zone from nine yards out with 4 minutes 19 seconds to go to clinch Navy’s 44-28 victory over Pittsburgh in the Military Bowl.
Hollywood in Annapolis? You bet. The final touchdown Reynolds scored in a Navy uniform was the 88th of his historic career — making him the all-time NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision leader in touchdowns. The victory meant Navy finished 11-2, the most wins in school history. Reynolds set a boatload of records, but naturally the one he was most proud of was the victory total.Hollywood in Annapolis? You bet. The final touchdown Reynolds scored in a Navy uniform was the 88th of his historic career — making him the all-time NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision leader in touchdowns. The victory meant Navy finished 11-2, the most wins in school history. Reynolds set a boatload of records, but naturally the one he was most proud of was the victory total.
“The 11 wins,” he said with a classic Reynolds shrug when asked which record meant the most to him. “You play the game to win. That means the most.”“The 11 wins,” he said with a classic Reynolds shrug when asked which record meant the most to him. “You play the game to win. That means the most.”
In all, against a Pittsburgh defense that had given up 121 rushing yards a game coming into Monday, Reynolds ran the ball 24 times for 147 yards and three touchdowns. He threw for another 126 yards, including a touchdown pass to Tyler Carmona. And, just for the heck of it, he caught a 47-yard pass from third-string fullback Shawn White during Navy’s touchdown drive that opened the second half. In all, against a Pittsburgh defense that had given up 121 rushing yards a game coming into Monday, Reynolds ran the ball 24 times for 144 yards and three touchdowns. He threw for another 126 yards, including a touchdown pass to Tyler Carmona. And, just for the heck of it, he caught a 47-yard pass from third-string fullback Shawn White during Navy’s touchdown drive that opened the second half.
“I was glad I actually caught the ball,” Reynolds said. “I redeemed myself from last year.”“I was glad I actually caught the ball,” Reynolds said. “I redeemed myself from last year.”
A year ago, against Notre Dame, offensive coordinator Ivin Jasper called the same play and Reynolds dropped the pass thrown by then-senior fullback Noah Copeland.A year ago, against Notre Dame, offensive coordinator Ivin Jasper called the same play and Reynolds dropped the pass thrown by then-senior fullback Noah Copeland.
That drop was one of the few times Reynolds failed to surpass expectations — even when they became completely over the top this season. All day Monday, he kept the Pitt defense guessing, making the right decisions running the option. That was one reason the most telling statistic of the game wasn’t the 590 yards in total offense Navy ran up, but the fact that the Midshipmen were 12 of 17 on third-down conversions and twice — on the game’s most crucial drive — picked up enough yards on third down to allow them to go for it on fourth down and convert.That drop was one of the few times Reynolds failed to surpass expectations — even when they became completely over the top this season. All day Monday, he kept the Pitt defense guessing, making the right decisions running the option. That was one reason the most telling statistic of the game wasn’t the 590 yards in total offense Navy ran up, but the fact that the Midshipmen were 12 of 17 on third-down conversions and twice — on the game’s most crucial drive — picked up enough yards on third down to allow them to go for it on fourth down and convert.
On one key third-down play, Reynolds appeared to slip the ball to fullback Chris Swain, who was promptly mauled by several Pitt tacklers.On one key third-down play, Reynolds appeared to slip the ball to fullback Chris Swain, who was promptly mauled by several Pitt tacklers.
“BOOM!” screamed a Pitt coach from the coaches’ box, thinking his team had finally stopped Navy.“BOOM!” screamed a Pitt coach from the coaches’ box, thinking his team had finally stopped Navy.
There was one problem: Reynolds still had the ball and sprinted to the edge for 17 yards and a first down.There was one problem: Reynolds still had the ball and sprinted to the edge for 17 yards and a first down.
THUD!THUD!
“It’s the perfect way for these seniors to go out,” said Niumatalolo, whose decision not to leave Navy for Brigham Young two weeks ago was another cause for celebration. “It isn’t just everything they’ve done on the field, it’s all the other stuff. They’ve been model Midshipmen. That’s what we’ve strived to do in our program.”“It’s the perfect way for these seniors to go out,” said Niumatalolo, whose decision not to leave Navy for Brigham Young two weeks ago was another cause for celebration. “It isn’t just everything they’ve done on the field, it’s all the other stuff. They’ve been model Midshipmen. That’s what we’ve strived to do in our program.”
There were 36 seniors in uniform for Navy on Monday, and they all played a role in this remarkable season. Reynolds was clearly the star, the centerpiece, the guy everyone wanted a piece of every day. But the all-senior offensive line played a huge role in Navy’s success as did the fullbacks, the underrated slotbacks and a defense that kept Pitt off the board for almost 42 minutes on Monday.There were 36 seniors in uniform for Navy on Monday, and they all played a role in this remarkable season. Reynolds was clearly the star, the centerpiece, the guy everyone wanted a piece of every day. But the all-senior offensive line played a huge role in Navy’s success as did the fullbacks, the underrated slotbacks and a defense that kept Pitt off the board for almost 42 minutes on Monday.
The Panthers’ only score had come on the opening kickoff when Quadree Henderson took Austin Grebe’s kickoff on the goal line and took 14 seconds to weave through Navy’s kickoff unit for a 7-0 lead.The Panthers’ only score had come on the opening kickoff when Quadree Henderson took Austin Grebe’s kickoff on the goal line and took 14 seconds to weave through Navy’s kickoff unit for a 7-0 lead.
“I thought, ‘Well, that happened against South Florida and we won,” Niumatalolo said. “I was trying to think of something positive because I was so mad. I guess we got mesmerized by that big flag or maybe it was Miss America’s singing.”“I thought, ‘Well, that happened against South Florida and we won,” Niumatalolo said. “I was trying to think of something positive because I was so mad. I guess we got mesmerized by that big flag or maybe it was Miss America’s singing.”
The Mids got un-mesmerized quickly. They promptly drove 75 yards in 10 plays, culminated by Reynolds’s one-yard touchdown run. That began a string of 31 unanswered points that didn’t end until Pitt quarterback Nate Peterman — who was intercepted three times — found Qadree Ollison for a four-yard touchdown pass with 3:14 left in the third quarter. The Mids got un-mesmerized quickly. They promptly drove 75 yards in 10 plays, culminated by Reynolds’s one-yard touchdown run. That began a string of 31 unanswered points that didn’t end until Pitt quarterback Nate Peterman — who was intercepted three times — found Qadree Ollison for a four-yard touchdown pass with 3 minutes 14 seconds left in the third quarter.
Two plays later, Swain — otherwise superb with 115 yards — fumbled and defensive back Jordan Whitehead picked it up and ran 22 yards into the end zone. Suddenly it was 31-21 and the Pitt fans were alive and loud and the Pitt bench was bouncing with energy. Two plays later, Swain — otherwise superb with 114 yards rushing — fumbled and defensive back Jordan Whitehead picked it up and ran 22 yards into the end zone. Suddenly it was 31-21 and the Pitt fans were alive and loud and the Pitt bench was bouncing with energy.
It didn’t last.It didn’t last.
Not that the Panthers didn’t have opportunities on Navy’s next drive. The Mids had a third and six. Swain picked it up. They had third and 17 after a holding penalty, and Reynolds dodged the rush and picked up 15 on a pass to Jamir Tillman to set up fourth and two. On that play, Reynolds picked up 15. A couple moments later, third and five became fourth and one and, again, it was Swain picking up the first down.Not that the Panthers didn’t have opportunities on Navy’s next drive. The Mids had a third and six. Swain picked it up. They had third and 17 after a holding penalty, and Reynolds dodged the rush and picked up 15 on a pass to Jamir Tillman to set up fourth and two. On that play, Reynolds picked up 15. A couple moments later, third and five became fourth and one and, again, it was Swain picking up the first down.
The Pitt defense was done. Two plays later Toneo Gulley scored from the 15 and it was 38-21. Pitt managed to score again but Navy had taken the heart out of Pitt’s defense. Reynolds’s last touchdown — after melting 5:16 off the clock on the drive — came, naturally, on a third and seven.The Pitt defense was done. Two plays later Toneo Gulley scored from the 15 and it was 38-21. Pitt managed to score again but Navy had taken the heart out of Pitt’s defense. Reynolds’s last touchdown — after melting 5:16 off the clock on the drive — came, naturally, on a third and seven.
“That’s not the way we like to operate,” Jasper said, laughing while Reynolds accepted the MVP trophy. “We like third and one, third and two. But Keenan. . . ”“That’s not the way we like to operate,” Jasper said, laughing while Reynolds accepted the MVP trophy. “We like third and one, third and two. But Keenan. . . ”
He shook his head, as awed as everyone else.He shook his head, as awed as everyone else.
Reynolds’s final act as a Navy football player came in the locker room when Niumatalolo asked him to address his teammates. After thanking them all, he turned to backup quarterback Tago Smith and said, “It’s your team now.”Reynolds’s final act as a Navy football player came in the locker room when Niumatalolo asked him to address his teammates. After thanking them all, he turned to backup quarterback Tago Smith and said, “It’s your team now.”
Final mission accomplished.Final mission accomplished.
Reynolds and his fellow seniors left the arena Monday for the final time. One thing is certain: They will never be forgotten.Reynolds and his fellow seniors left the arena Monday for the final time. One thing is certain: They will never be forgotten.