Coming off a big win over Army in the Army-Navy game, Navy QB Keenan Reynolds tries to give the Midshipmen their 2nd Poinsettia Bowl win.
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The Navy Midshipmen take on the San Diego State Aztecs in the 10th annual Poinsettia Bowl.
With one of the top rushing attacks in the FBS, the Midshipmen were able to overcome a 2-4 start to the season to win 5 of their last 6 games and clinch a berth in the Pointsettia Bowl – beating arch-rival Army in the Army-Navy game along the way. QB Keenan Reynolds has not thrown the ball well in large part because he hasn’t needed to – he is the best rushing QB in the country and leads all QBs with 21 rushing TDs. The offense has been a well-oiled machine, averaging over 33 points per game and only record two performances with under 3 TDs all season. The key to beating Navy will undoubtedly be scoring on quick drives and forcing them to make plays through the air.
The Aztecs has struggled throughout the season, starting 1-2, then 2-3 but winning three of their last four to clinch bowl eligibility for the fifth year in a row. RB Donnel Pumphrey has been the well-used, well-oiled machine that has powered the Aztecs to many victories with his 19 rushing TDs and 1,755 rushing yards – 3rd in the FBS behind only Melvin Gordon and Tevin Coleman. QB Quinn Kaehler has not been a huge help through the air, with only 9 TDs and 10 INTs, so it could be a long day for the offense if Pumphrey can’t get going. They key to beating San Diego State will be to shut down Pumphrey early and be efficient on offense without making mistakes.
Prediction: Navy wins the Poinsettia Bowl – In a battle between a great rushing QB and a great rushing RB the great RB has a habit of winning, but in this case Navy has demonstrated that they can hold their own against some great competition such as Ohio State, Notre Dame and Air Force. All Kennan Reynolds needs to do is control the clock and the game on the ground and the Midshipmen will win their second ever Poinsettia Bowl.
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