Navy 34, GGSM{SMU} 7

Generally, in a football game, the plan goes like this. Score points to take the lead, and then run the ball to kill the clock and go home a winner. Navy did just this on Saturday about as well as a team can against SMU. In a driving rainstorm, the passing attack of SMU got bogged down with an interception on the third play. Three rushes later, Navy was in the end zone. After two more incomplete SMU passes and a rush for -1 yard, Navy got the ball back and started running again. Second string QB Jarrod Bryant had started the previous two games after starter Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada was injured, but Bryant was on a 20-yard run on the second drive. Okay, send in third stringer sophomore Ricky Dobbs. Dobbs went on to carry the ball 42 times for 224 yards and 4 touchdowns. Not too shabby. In fact, under his direction, Navy's ground game was so solid, that he did not even attempt a pass. Head coach Ken Niumatalolo's Navy was the first I-A team in 11 years to not attempt a single pass in a game. Ten different Midshipmen rushed at least once, and together they amassed 404 yards on 77 carries. And they outrushed SMU by 417 yards because the team known in the 1980s as the "Pony Express" left Annapolis with thirteen fewer yards rushing than they came with. Navy won the time of possession battle 42:32 to 17:28.

SMU now has a week off before hosting Memphis on November 8.