The snow started coming down as the teams were warming up, and the pace of the snowfall has picked up throughout the first half of this year’s edition of the Army Navy Game. As snow continues to blanket the city of Philadelphia in snow for the second time this week, Navy looks to keep their winning streak going. Navy, looking for their 12th straight win in the series, leads Army 17-0 at the half thanks in part to a record-tying touchdown run by Navy quarterback Keenan Reynolds.
Navy failed to capitalize on a big run by 58-run by Quinton Singleton late int he first quarter. After breaking a big play Singleton was brought down at the Army four-yard line but the Midshipmen were unable to push forward for a touchdown. Red zone threat Reynolds got as far as the two-yard line but nearly lost a fumble on a short second down play. After Army came up with a big third down stop, Navy gave in and sent Nick Sloan on for a 20-yard field goal in the driving wet snow fall.
Navy would capitalize on a mental mistake by Army midway through the second quarter. After an unsportsmanlike penalty by Army’s Robert Kough, Noah Copeland broke the second big play of the game for a 39-yard run. He was able to shed some defenders on his way to the end zone to give Navy the first touchdown of the game and a 10-0 lead following the point after touchdown. It was his longest career rushing attempt and it could not have come at a better time.
Reynolds would have the next big run of the half, wasting little time to score on a late half possession. On the first play after Army punted away, Reynolds ran right up the middle fo the field for 47 yards and his 27th rushing touchdown of the season. The touchdown run tied former Navy quarterback Ricky Dobbs and former Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein for the NCAA rushing touchdown record by a quarterback. Odds are pretty good he will break that record at some point in the second half, or Navy’s Armed Forces Bowl against Middle Tennessee State if needed.