Navy quarterback Kriss Proctor will be remembered in Saturday’s thrilling 35-34 overtime loss to service academy rival Air Force for his unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after the extra-session touchdown that gave the Midshipmen their first lead of the game. What he ought to be remembered for is one of the most amazing runs of his career, quite possibly the best run any Navy player will make this season.
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With the Midshipmen still needing a touchdown and two-point conversion to tie the Falcons, Proctor dropped back to pass on second-and-4 at the Navy 47-yard line with under two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Pressured heavily, Proctor ducked and dodged simply to get out of the pocket. Heading up field, he cut back twice and even spun before finally succumbing after a 26-yard gain with nearly the entire Air Force defense in his wake. Finding highlights anywhere is as elusive as Proctor.
“This kid was making plays that I don’t even know if Mike Vick makes,” Navy running back Alexander Teich said. “Then to have [the game] go down like that, it’s pitiful.”
Unfortunately, similar composure went missing on his touchdown in overtime, when he bumped Air Force defensive end Nick DeJulio and defensive back Jon Davis, drawing the ire and flag of back judge David Vaughn. The penalty resulted in a 35-yard extra point attempt that was blocked.
“That’s the way it is,” Proctor said. “We make that PAT, and we wouldn’t be talking about [the penalty].”
Instead, few will ever talk about his earlier play, and that’s also pitiful.
– Craig Stouffer
