Navy sent a strong message on the opening possession Saturday night against visiting Temple that triple-option football was back in Annapolis.
Starting quarterback Dalen Morris returned to the lineup, the fullback dive reemerged as a major weapon and the Navy offense looked far better than it has so far this season.
The Midshipmen set the tone with a typically punishing and time-consuming 17-play touchdown drive to start the game and the return of the program’s patented triple-option rushing attack sparked a much-needed bounce-back 31-29 victory.
Fullback Nelson Smith rushed for 120 yards and two touchdowns, while the depleted defense came up with a huge defensive stop at the end.