Delaware vs. Navy live game blog

Scoreboard
Hens 18 
Navy 35
Final


Dobbs finds endzone for the fifth time, Navy defeats Delaware 35-18
After finding WR Bobby Doyle on 4th and 10 with a minute left, Dobbs ran the ball in himself from the three yard-line to give Navy the 35-18 victory. Dobbs' touchdown set a stadium record for most touchdowns in one game.
With the loss, Delaware drops to 6-4 and Navy advances to 8-3. Although they put up a fight, the Hens will have to defeat Villanova next week to have any hope of advancing to the FCS playoffs.

Navy converts on 4th and short
On fourth and short from the Delaware 35 yard line, Ricky Dobbs bulled through for a first down. The spot call went up for review but was upheld. The call essentially ends the game, as Navy will have the opportunity to run out the clock after Delaware takes their final time out.

Butler finishes drive, Hens cut lead to 10
After a drive in which Nahja White caught his first to balls of the game, one of which was for 22 yards, Jerry Butler ran the ball in from one yard out. The Hens attempted a two-point conversion, but a Pat Devlin pass was incomplete. Delaware's drive was 11 plays, 78 yards and 4:10. The Defense absolutely needs a stop here with 6:29 left in the game.

Teich sets up Dobbs 2 yd. TD run
Navy now leads 28-12 with 10:39 to play. RB Alexander Teich had a 22 yard carry to advance Navy to the two yard line. Dobbs then ran the ball in himself to tie the Navy school record for most touchdowns in a season and break the record for most rushing touchdowns in a season. It was his 21st TD of the season.
It looks like the Hens defense has given up, unfortunately. They're unable to make tackles and stop the option in the second half. If Devlin and company can find the endzone on this drive, however, they're right back in the game. We'll see if they can do something.

Devlin fumbles, Navy recovers
While attempting to throw the ball, Devlin was sacked by Navy DE Jabaree Tuani. He lost control of the ball and Tuani recovered. Navy will take over on Delaware's 37 yard line. Delaware needs a big stop here.

Dobbs finds endzone, Navy leads 21-12
After a 46-run down the sideline by Navy QB Dobbs to bring the ball inside the five yard line. He then finished what he started, bulling through the middle for a touchdown on a QB keeper. Delaware absolutely has to put points on the board on this drive or they can kiss their hopes of beating a bowl team goodbye. There is 12:26 left to play, but time has been going by fast as both teams are displaying their running game.

Navy punts after fumble
Delaware will take over at their own 12-yard line after Navy was forced to punt. The Hens were aided by a Dobbs fumble as he attempted the option, which pinned the Midshipmen at 3rd and 19. Saddiq Haynes sacked Dobbs on the ensuing play forcing Navy to punt. It was a huge break for the Hens. Navy looked like they were poised to make a drive. Delaware needs to put points on the board here. It is clear Navy made some offensive adjustments at halftime.

Hens settle for three again
Jon Striefsky nailed a 21-yard FG to cut the lead to 14-12. After driving to the three yard line, Devlin tried to hit Tommy Crosby in the endzone but the play was well-defended. Penalties and failure to find the endzone are becoming themes in this game for the Hens offense. After driving to the 10, the Hens were penalized and moved back once again in this drive. They did, however, put points on the board, which is important if Navy is going to continue to drive like they did in their last offensive series.

Dobbs finds endzone, Navy re-takes lead
After 11 plays, 64 yards and 5:48, Navy QB Ricky Dobbs scored on a 1 yard touchdown run on 3rd and goal. Delaware's defense came out flat. They didn't tackle, and they weren't reading the option well. It will be interesting to see how the Hens' offense responds.


Navy takes over at own 37
Navy will start the half on their own 37 yard line. We'll see if Delaware's defense can make a stand here. It will be huge to continue the Hens' momentum if Delaware is successful.

Underdog Hens came to play, but are plagued by penalties
Delaware leads Navy 9-7 at halftime, but the score should actually be 13-7 if it weren't for a horrendous call by the officials (no, I am not being bias).
Delaware is outplaying the Midshipmen, leading them in virtually every major offensive category including first downs, rushing yards, passing yards, and net-yards. The Hens defense has held Navy to just 105 total yards- not bad considering the 80-yard drive the Midshipmen had to start the game, which still stands as the only Navy bright spot in the first half. It may have been the result of Delaware cold feet.
The Hens running game is getting the job done, and it is setting up the passiing game. David Hayes, Jerry Butler and Phil Thaxton have a combined 117 yards rushing, often gaining 4-5 yards on each play. Although Devlin has struggled with his accuracy, he has managed to hit Duncan and Tommy Crosby consistently in third -down situations. Duncan leads the Hens with three receptions for 34 yards.
Navy is a much better team than they have shown, but they are very one-dimensional (which they have also shown). It seems as if Keeler and his coaches have trained Delaware how to stop the triple-option successfully, but don't be shocked if the Midshipmen air one or two out for big yardage every once in a while. Hens defensive backs, namely safeties Charles Graves and Anthony Bratton can't fall asleep, or it could be the difference in the game.

Hens touchdown reversed after beautiful drive, Hens settle for three at close of half
The Hens made what is possibly the best drive they had made all season, recording seven first downs to Butler, Hayes, Duncan, Mooney, Thaxton and Butler again. From the Navy four yard line, Devlin hit WR Tommy Crosby in the endzone. They flagged Jerry Butler on the play for pass interference in the back of the endzone, backing the Hens up to the19-yard-line. It is hard to decifer what the officials were thinking on that call. Rarely is offensive pass interference called away from the play. Regardless, Jon Striefsky nailed a 25-yard-field goal to take the Hens into the half with a 9-7 lead.
The Hens drive was beautifully orchestrated. They drove 84 yards on 18 plays while taking 8:39 off of the clock. Delaware has huge momentum heading into the second half of the game. Stay tuned for some halftime analysis.

Higginson sets up another Navy 3 and out
John Higginson sacked Navy QB Ricky Dobbs for an eight yard loss forcing another Navy punt. This time, there was no roughing the punter, but Navy pinned the Hens on their own eight yard line. We'll see if the Hens' offense can make some noise.

Hens force three and out, but rough the punter
After that first series in which Navy drove for 80 yards, the Hens have forced a turnover and a three and out. Unfortunately, Navy punter Kyle Delahooke was taken down on the punt and Navy got the ball back. That could be a huge turn of events in favor of Navy.

Striefsky nails 39 yd. FG, Hens cut lead to 7-7 at start of second quarter
Higginson's fumble recovery resulted in three points after a failed offensive series by Devlin and company. They recoreded -3 yards. Regardless, the Hens were able to come out with some points. Hens' head coach K.C. Keeler stressed the importance of turnovers earlier this week. Navy is going to put up a lot of points, but if the Hens can force some turnovers, they will stay in it. Let's see if his philosophy proves to be correct.

Defense forces fumble, Higginson recovers
Tyrone Grant knocked the ball loose on a Navy option and John Higginson picked the ball up, carrying it back to the Navy 19-yard-line. The Hens defended the option perfectly on that play.

Striefsky nails 47 yd. FG, Navy leads 7-3
John Striefsky tied his career high with a 47 yard field goal after an 11 play, 52 yard drive by the Hens. WR Tommy Crosby and RB David Hayes, who was listed at third on the depth chart to start the game, took the reigns on that drive. Devlin hit Crosby twice for a first down to start the drive, then handed the ball off to Hayes for another. The Hens couldn't find the endzone though. Once again, Devlin overthrew one of his receivers - this time it was Phillip Thaxton. The Delaware receivers must have said something to make Devlin angry today because he is continuously leaving them out to dry, and they're taking some big hits going up for balls.

Dobbs does it himself, scores touchdown
The Hens knew what they were getting with Navy, and the Midshipmen just handed it to them on a platter. Led by QB Ricky Dobbs, Navy ran the ball all the way down the field on the Hens on 10 plays, 80 yards and just 4:33.
The series started with a 24-yard pass (uncharacteristic of Navy), but the running game took over from there. Between Dobbs and RB Gee Gee Greene, Navy recorded four first downs on the series, ending with Dobbs taking the ball in himself from the one-yard-line.

Devlin misses Duncan twice, Hens forced to punt
Navy will take over on their own 20 yard line after an Ed Wagner punt for a touch-back. After two first downs, the Hens were stifled when Devlin threw behind Duncan on a slant route and overthrew Duncan on a post. We'll see if the Hens defense can stand-up to the triple option.

Butler, Duncan move the chains
That was huge for Delaware. After a eight yard rush by Jerry Butler, Devlin hit WR Marc Duncan on a curl route, moving the chains. Delaware is now near midfield.

Delaware starts series on offense
We'll see what Devlin and company has to show us early. The Hens' Jerry Butler recieved the Delaware kickoff and brought the ball to the Hens' 25.

Sandwich Game
Navy just announced that many of their normal starters won't be starting this game for the Midshipmen. We're not sure why, but one could conceive that Navy sees this game as a sandwich game between Notre Dame and Hawaii (their opponent next week). After Hawaii Navy plays their usual rival Army, then heads to the Texas Bowl. Clearly Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo sees this week's game as a chance to rest before the Midshipmen start their gauntlet next week.
For the Hens, this is the gauntlet. They need to take advantage of the fact that Navy may be overlooking them.

The Weather
It's cloudy, but comfortable here in Annapolis. Currently it's 57 degrees with very little wind. This is good for Delaware's spread offense. If it had been rainy, the run-oriented Midshipmen would clearly have the advantage.

Keys to the game
For Delaware's offense, they will need to establish a balanced attack in order to defeat the Midshipmen. Last week, RB Jerry Butler came alive in the backfield, scoring two touchdowns, and Devlin continued his good on-field relationship with WR Mark Duncan. The Hens need to continue that trend, and then some, keeping the Midshipmen on their heels.
On defense, the Hens need to stop the triple option - and that's no easy task. The Fighting Irish failed to do so last week, and we saw the result. Delaware doesn't have Notre Dame's talent, but they might be able to out-smart the Midshipmen like they did in 2007.

Welcome to Navy Marine Corps Stadium
The Hens are looking to step up a level this week and take on FBS Navy. The midshipmen are coming off an adrenaline-filled thriller against No. 19 Notre Dame last week inwhich they pulled out a 23-21 victory.
Delaware is going to have to step up their level of play. The Hens lost to unranked JMU two weeks ago and squeaked by unranked Hofstra last Saturday.
For extensive coverage of last week's game, the Hens' playoffs hopes, and a preview of this weeks game, go to udreview.com/sports.