Homecoming has not been kind to Navy ? or its quarterbacks ? the past two years.
First, Navy lost starting junior quarterback Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada to a neck injury late in the first half Saturday against visiting Wake Forest. Then, backup Jarod Bryant fumbled twice, including one on his first play from scrimmage that Wake Forest recovered for a touchdown en route to a 44-24 victory in front of 36,992 fans at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis.
In last year?s homecoming game, Rutgers defeated Navy 34-0 as the Midshipmen (4-3) lost then-starting quarterback Brian Hampton to a season-ending knee injury. Navy has now lost seven of its last nine homecoming games.
“I think you have to give Wake Forest credit,” Navy coach Paul Johnson said. “They played a good game. We made too many mistakes to beat a good team. We have no margin for error.”
Turnovers hurt Navy all game against Wake Forest (5-2), which scored 17 points off three turnovers. Bryant?s first turnover represented a turning point as defensive end Matt Robinson scampered seven yards into the end zone, giving the Demon Deacons a 24-17 lead with 2:19 left in the first half following a sack and a forced fumble by cornerback Alphonso Smith. Wake Forest also added a 26-yard field goal from Steve Swank right before halftime and never trailed again.
Bryant tried to get Navy back into the game as the Midshipmen marched 80 yards on five plays and pulled within 27-24 following a 12-yard touchdown run by slot back Shun White. White finished with 63 yards and two touchdowns on seven carries. Bryant rushed for 56 yards on 16 carries, including a 43-yard run on Navy?s third quarter touchdown drive.
“It is crucial in agame like this to not turn the ball over,” White said. “If we take care of the ball we can take it into the end zone.”
Wake Forest came right back after White?s touchdown with a seven-play, 60-yard drive capped by a 2-yard touchdown run from running back Micha Andrews. The Demon Deacons scored the game?s final 17 points.
Quarterback Riley Skinner completed 22-of-28 passes for 213 yards and two touchdowns while wide receiver Kenneth Moore had 15 catches for 181 yards and two scores for the Demon Deacons.
“I thought when we came out to start the second half and cut the lead to three we would be OK,” Johnson said. “But then they scored again.”
Including last week?s 48-45 win at Pittsburgh, Navy has now allowed at least 30 points in five of seven games and has allowed 40 points in back-to-back contests for the first time since 2002. The Midshipmen are now 6-20 under Johnson when giving up 30 or more points in a game.
“I don?t know what to say [about the defensive struggles],” Navy linebacker Irv Spencer said. “As the coaches say, the mistakes we are making are correctable.”
Navy looks to get back on track next Saturday when it hosts the University of Delaware. Kick-off is set for 1 p.m. in Annapolis. The visiting Blue Hens are 6-1 and are 13th in the most recent Football Championship Subdivision poll following last week?s 30-20 victory over Northeastern.
