Reynolds powers Navy past Pittsburgh

Associated Press

ANNAPOLIS, Md.

The players on Pittsburgh’s sideline were jumping and cheering as Quadree Henderson ran 100 yards with the opening kickoff of the Military Bowl.

Unfortunately, the Panthers spent the remainder of the day trying — unsuccessfully — to stop Navy quarterback Keenan Reynolds.

Reynolds wrapped up his record-setting college career at Navy in spectacular fashion, running for three touchdowns and throwing for another Monday to lead the Midshipmen to a 44-28 victory.

Reynolds ran for 144 yards on 24 carries, completed 9 of 17 passes for 126 yards and had a reception for 47 yards on a trick play.

“He’s a super football player,” Panthers first-year coach Pat Narduzzi said. “Make no mistake, there were reasons he was in the [running] for the Heisman Trophy.”

Reynolds leaves Navy (11-2) as the Football Bowl Subdivision career leader with 88 touchdowns and 530 points. His 4,559 yards rushing are the most by a quarterback in Division I history.

Qadree Ollison rushed for 73 yards and scored two touchdowns for Pitt (8-5). Nate Peterman threw a TD pass but was intercepted three times.

The Panthers’ problem was that they couldn’t back up Henderson’s quick score.

“You feel like you have the momentum and you start fast, then we just couldn’t get anything going in the first half offensively,” Narduzzi said. “We got things going in the second half, but with a missed field goal and three interceptions, you aren’t going to win many football games.”

After Henderson went the distance, Navy took a 21-7 halftime lead and made it 31-7 midway through the third quarter.

Pittsburgh scored two touchdowns in 17 seconds to close to 31-21, but could not complete the comeback.

It was 38-28 when Reynolds capped a nine-play drive with a 9-yard run with 4:19 remaining. The TD broke a tie with Kenneth Dixon of Louisiana Tech atop the career chart.

“To be able to seal the game and get the record at the same time is pretty cool,” the 5-foot-11 senior said.