All the momentum the Navy football team built during the month of November came to a screeching halt during its first game in December. Along the way, the Midshipmen's dreams of playing in the Cotton Bowl crashed down with a thud.
Temple looked like a team determined to capture the American Athletic Conference championship that eluded it last season. Navy looked like a rudderless ship sailing into uncharted waters.
Quarterback Phillip Walker directed a balanced offense while middle linebacker Jarred Alwan anchored a hard-hitting defense as Temple manhandled Navy, 34-10, in the AAC championship game before an announced crowd of 22,815 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.