Singleton scores 3 TDs in Navy's 35-24 win over Northern Illinois
ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Giving up 24 points and 355 yards doesn't usually qualify as a solid defensive performance.
By Navy standards, it was a gem.
"Today was all about the defense," said Ross Pospisil, who was credited with 20 tackles Saturday in Navy's 35-24 win over Northern Illinois.
Zerbin Singleton scored three touchdowns and backup quarterback Jarod Bryant ran for 139 yards and a score, but the key was a Navy defense that was yielding an average of 41.1 points per game.
After surrendering 45, 44, 59, 44 and 62 points in their last five games, the Midshipmen forced a season-high four punts and allowed only 10 points after halftime.
"They've been talking about the defense giving up 40 points, but we played a complete game today," said free safety Greg Thrasher, who had six tackles and an interception.
It was the third straight win for the Midshipmen (7-4), who have already accepted a bid from the Poinsettia Bowl.
Coming off a 74-62 win over North Texas, Navy wasn't quite as effective offensively against a Northern Illinois team that yielded 70 points to Toledo on Oct. 27. It didn't matter, because the defense was far better than usual.
"I thought we did a much better job defensively," coach Paul Johnson said. "Some guys were flying around and we did some good things."
Playing in place of injured quarterback Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada, Bryant carried 27 times and was 3-for-6 for 60 yards. Singleton finished with 101 yards rushing, and his three TDs gave him six in two games.
Justin Anderson carried 39 times for 140 yards and a touchdown for Northern Illinois (2-9). Ryan Morris went 21-for-35 for 206 yards and threw two touchdown passes to Matt Simon.
"I was really proud of Ryan Morris," coach Joe Novak said. "He gave us a chance."
Navy went 80 yards on 14 plays to open the second half, using a 1-yard touchdown run by Bryant to take a 28-14 lead.
The Huskies responded with a 24-yard touchdown pass from Morris to Simon. Then, after stopping the Midshipmen on downs, Northern Illinois closed to 28-24 when Chris Nendick kicked a 42-yard field goal with 11:53 remaining.
But Singleton scored on a 12-yard run with 7:51 to go for an 11-point cushion.
Despite allowing five touchdowns and 419 yards, Novak had no complaints about the performance of his defense.
"I got nervous sitting in the locker room before the game, reading the program and seeing all those points they scored. They've got some unbelievable stats," Novak said of the Midshipmen. "Paul does a great job with that offense."
The final minute of the first half featured two straight calls overturned by replay, the second providing Northern Illinois a touchdown that shaved Navy's lead to 21-14.
After a replay reversed a touchdown by Anderson on a third-and-goal screen pass, he was stuffed at the line on fourth down from the 1. But a replay determined he got into the end zone.
It was a fitting end to a wild half in which the teams combined for 417 yards and five touchdowns.
The Huskies took a 7-0 lead when Simon caught a short pass from Morris, shook off an arm tackle by Kevin Edwards and scored a 46-yard touchdown.
Navy answered with a 1-yard TD run by Singleton. Then, after a Northern Illinois punt, Singleton scored on a 26-yard run down the right sideline. It was Navy's 11th touchdown in 12 possessions, a streak that began against North Texas.
The Midshipmen punted on their next possession but returned to form on their next drive, moving 92 yards on eight plays to take a 21-7 lead.
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