Boston College linebacker Jolonn Dunbar probably shouldn?t make any vacation plans to Maryland in the near future.
Dunbar came up with the key recovery for the Eagles after Navy slot back Reggie Campbell fumbled with 1:32 remaining in Saturday?s 25-24 come-from-behind win by Boston College in the Meineke Car Care Bowl. Earlier this season, Dunbar scooped up two fumbles and returned them for touchdowns in the Eagles? 38-16 victory over Maryland.
Dunbar finished with 14 tackles Saturday, including four for a loss and a sack against Navy. He earned the game?s MVP honors for his performance.
“I can?t say enough about what Jolonn has done all season, scooping up fumbles, making tackles,” Eagles quarterback Matt Ryan said. “He was the heart and soul of that defense”
MIXING IT UP: Navy coach Paul Johnson took a different approach Saturday by starting backup quarterback Jarod Bryant while usual starter Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada lined up at wide receiver.
Johnson said the move, while also allowing Kaheaku-Enhada to air it out more than usual, was to catch Boston College off guard while trying to take away some of the Eagles? immense size advantage.
Kaheaku-Enhada?s touchdown passes to wideouts Tyree Barnes and Jason Tomlinson marked only the third time in the Johnson era that Navy has had two receivers catch a touchdown in the same game. Kaheaku-Enhada finished the game 4 of 6 passing for 77 yards and two touchdowns.
RECORD PERFORMANCES: Even in defeat, Navy set a number of team and bowl game records. Jeremy McGown and Clint Sovie?s interceptions gave the Midshipmen a pair of picks in four straight games, tying the school?s bowl record. The Mids also set a Meineke Car Care Bowl record with 322 yards on the ground, breaking the previous mark of 244 yards set by West Virginia vs. Virginia in 2002.
STREAKS ENDED: Navy?s loss Saturday snapped its 25-game winning steak when rushing for more than 300 yards. The Mids? last defeat in such a game came on Sept. 27, 2003 against Rutgers. Navy also had its 15-game winning streak when leading after three quarters snapped.
INJURY REPORT: Navy finished the game without Tomlinson and slot back Trey Hines, who left the game with a high ankle sprain and a hip flexor, respectively.
