Just about everybody expected a high-scoring affair between the Conference USA and AAC runners-up and that’s just what the two teams delivered in the first half as Louisiana Tech led 31-24 over Navy in the Armed Forces Bowl on Friday afternoon.
The Bulldogs kicked off the scoring after getting setup by a great return to open the game and needed just four plays to find the end zone initially on a Ryan Higgins touchdown run. The quarterback would finish the first two quarters with 215 yards and three touchdowns through the air, including a 51 yard scoring strike with under 30 seconds left. Tailback Jarred Craft chipped in with another 30 yards on the ground on the rare times when Tech didn’t drop back to pass.
Navy also found some surprising success through the air as third-string signal-caller Zach Abey completed three passes for 111 yards and a touchdown to go with his 62 yards and two scores on the ground in the triple option offense. Seven Midshipmen ended up getting a carry in the half as the team had one of their more balanced efforts this season.
As much scoring as there was, amazingly there was also three punts and a turnover among a whopping 15 combined drives. Given the defenses involved in this one, more fireworks are sure to be in store for one of the more fun bowl games set to be played this postseason.
Both squads have very different approaches to moving the ball but a 1,000 yards of offense and over 100 points look very possible by the time this one is over despite some dreary conditions in Fort Worth.