The Navy offense gained more than 430 yards, but committed too many mistakes Thursday night against Utah. The Utes rallied from a 10-point second half deficit and held on to stun the Midshipmen, 35-32, in front of a Poinsettia Bowl-record 39,129 fans on a wet evening at Qualcomm Stadium.
Utah running back Darrell Mack gave his team a 10 point lead, 35-25, when he scored on a 1-yard touchdown run with 1:27 left. But 30 seconds later, Navy quarterback Kaip-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada connected with slotback Zerbin Singleton on a 58-yard touchdown pass to cut the lead to just three.
Navy recovered the ensuing onside kick, but two plays later Kaheaku-Enhada was intercepted by Utah defensive back Joe Dale to end the comeback bid.
Navy (8-5) posted 436 yards of total offense, but turned the ball over three times, including once at the Utah 1-yard line. Utah (9-4), awoke on offense late in the third quarter, shredding the Mids defense for more than 455 total yards and 26 first downs to win its seventh straight bowl appearance.
Navy led by 10, 17-7, after its first possession of the second half when fullback Eric Kettani broke a tackle and outraced defenders for a 43-yard touchdown run.
Utah, however, responded by recording the next 21 points. The Utes scored touchdowns on consecutive possessions ? a 23-yard run by receiver Jereme Brooks and a 40-yard pass from quarterback Brian Johnson to receiver Derrek Richards ? and took a 21-17 lead with just over 16 minutes left in the game.
Johnson extended the lead to 28-17 with 12:47 left when he scrambled into the end zone from 19-yards out, eluding multiple Navy defenders.
Navy cut the lead to 28-25 after slotback Shun White scored on a 10-yard touchdown run and Kaheaku-Enhada added a two-point conversion plunge with 8:48 remaining.
Both teams struggled to find a rhythm in the opening quarter, as there were more turnovers than points. Navy punter Greg Veteto mishandled a snap at his own 44-yard line, but three plays later Johnson was intercepted by linebacker Ross Pospisil. The Midshipmen would drive down inside Utah?s 5-yard line on the ensuing possession, but slotback Reggie Campbell fumbled the ball and the Utes recovered at their own 1-yard line.
The second quarter started no better for Navy, as kicker Joey Bullen pushed a 50-yard field goal attempt wide left early in the period. Following the miss, Utah took over at its own 33-yard line and drove 67 yards in 11 plays jumped out to a 7-0 lead with 8:42 left before the half when Mack rushed into the end zone from 5-yards out.
But the Mids would answer with 10 consecutive points before the half ? a 1-yard touchdown run by Kaheaku-Enhada and a 39-yard field goal by Bullen nearly five minutes later and just 28 seconds prior to intermission.
