2016 American Football Highlights - Navy 46, #6 Houston 40

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Navy stunned No. 6 Houston, romping to a 46-40 victory that seriously damaged the Cougars' playoff hopes.
Will Worth ran for 115 yards and threw for two touchdowns Saturday to help the Midshipmen (4-1, 3-0 American Athletic Conference) pull off the upset. Navy hadn't defeated a Top 10 team since 1984, when it topped No. 2 South Carolina in Annapolis.
When it was over, streams of the Navy Brigade stormed the field to surround the players, most of them jumping for joy.
Navy pulled off the win with a precise triple-option attack that shredded the nation's top-ranked rushing defense. The Midshipmen came in as a 17-point underdog.
Houston's sloppiest performance of the season came in a driving rain. The Cougars (5-1, 2-1) committed three turnovers and gave up more points than in their previous four games combined.
Navy finished with 306 yards rushing, many of them on pitches from Worth as he sprinted laterally along the line. Houston was allowing only 42 yards on the ground per game.
Though the game was a sellout, thousands of fans failed to show because of the weather. Those who took their seats realized an upset was possible after first half ended tied at 20.
Navy scored three touchdowns in the third quarter -- two of them on passes by Worth, the other on Josiah Powell's 34-yard interceptions return -- to take a 41-27 lead.
That proved to be a deficit too much to handle for the Cougars, especially because their defense simply couldn't find a solution for Navy's multi-faceted attack.
Houston had won 19 of its last 20 games, including a 52-31 blowout of Navy last year. But on this day, the Cougars couldn't get into the end zone often enough despite compiling a whopping 484 yards in offense.
Houston quarterback Greg Ward Jr. went 32 for 50 for 359 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran for 94 yards and a score, but the Cougars never led after going up 20-17 in the second quarter.
His two interceptions were also a factor. Navy scored 17 points following Houston giveaways and did not commit a turnover.
THE TAKEAWAY
Houston: The aura of greatness surrounding the Cougars fades a bit. The Cougars are now in second place in the AAC and won't get a chance for redemption until facing Louisville at home on Nov. 17.
Navy: This game should serve as a tremendous boost of confidence for the Midshipmen, who had their spirit shaken last week in a 28-14 loss to Air Force.
POLL IMPLICATIONS
The Cougars should tumble out of the Top 10 in the AP Top 25 poll , which comes out Monday instead of Sunday this week.
UP NEXT
Houston: The Cougars continue play in the AAC West Division, hosting Tulane next Saturday.
Navy: The Midshipmen are on the road against East Carolina, now 2-4 after losing 38-22 to South Florida.

[@coogrfan]

The worst part of getting beat by Navy is that their players and fans are so clean cut and courteous that you can't even get mad at them. ;-) Congrats on a well earned victory and best of luck going forward.

[@andrewde78]

NAVY is the epitome of hard-nosed, drawn out, play-till-you-die-football. I don't think there are a lot of schools that preach that like Navy does. Coupled with their strong continuity of coaching, and talented/athletic players, this upset doesn't come at much of a surprise.

[@Yosef_X_]

Andrew U.S.M.C that is true but it doesn't surprise me that UH lost after those 3 crucial turnovers and the safety just continuos sloppy mistakes

[@timpowell5888]

I am so proud of my nephew he played well and the team went to win against a tough team and they pulled it off. Good job Josiah we are all so proud of you and love you. GO NAVY!!! Even though I am all ARMY till I die.....Gave to many years to the Army..

[@lifeisgood5635]

Finally, somebody reminds Houston that they are, well Houston.

[@miguelriverajr639]

Hell yeah Navy! Although I grew up in Houston... lol and good job for Brandon Colon!! #87

[@Dalton1294]

And there goes Houston's playoff chances

[@johngarrett9310]

Dalton G they weren't getting in anyway

[@user-rl2wh2rz1b]

Outstanding Midshipmen!

[@sameulljacson9807]

As a Louisville fan, this sucks soooooooo bad. We really wanted Houston to undeated and vice versa when we meet.. Keep your heads up, like us!

[@americayeagermeister]

Sameul L Jacson Thanks for having some class, from a UH fan. You guys have an amazing team, looking forward to Nov. 17!

[@yeahbuddy9696]

Sameul L Jacson 36-10 lol

[@timothywise9731]

People may say that Houston played a sloppy game but every single Houston player knew what was on the line and its not like they came in knowing that they could play sloppy and still win. Maybe some credit should be given to coaching and execution of the Navy offense and defense given that their star quarterback and Captain star middle linebacker are both out for the season, coming into this game. It's really too bad they couldn't play with this intensity last week when Navy lost to Air Force.

[@LilOBX]

timothy Wise Greg ward threw the game away not the whole team he had 3 HORRIBLE turn overs.... hard to win with 3 turn overs

[@toddwright11]

GO NAVY ! ! !

[@thatboiodellbeckham949]

Yea this was a great game played by navy they got Houston pretty good, we were slacking thinking this was a easy W....hehehhe.. I guess not but overall hard fought by both teams and navy came out on top good game good luck this season.... From a Houston fan. We have bigger taller QB now tho..... We are coming...

[@PforPlumxD]

They pulled a Memphis Undefeated High Ranked Going in for an easy win Upset

[@weaxeI]

PforPlumxD navy no matter how well they're doing is never an easy win

[@PforPlumxD]

i know they are just overlooked

[@Juan800PimpBot]

PforPlumxD

[@jsmithers6118]

That's moronic. Navy was going to be a tough game and everybody at Memphis knew it. Don't try to portray this as some "Memphis underestimated Navy" crap because that's hardly the case. Memphis was a shootout team with a crappy defense, but this game Paxton and company didn't keep pace.

[@patrickbarry633]

Houston -15.5 on the road!!!Was supposed to be a cake walk... BarryJinx 😥⚰

[@jasperalexander768]

what a upset wow

[@0123renee]

5 years later and Cincy is in the same position that Houston was, ready to shock the world as the little school that could. Will they finish the job that the Cougars laid the groundwork for? Or will it be another so-close sort of scenario?

[@johndavis6719]

Greg Ward threw some bad passes on purpose it looks like still one of the best qb in college football.

[@lakerskid2013]

5 years later Navy almost did it again, but instead the near upset fueled Cincinnati into making the first ever CFP for a Group Of Five team

[@thelonias1814]

Stopped Watching Navy after the Air Force game. Next thing I know they are playing ranked 24. So now I am here...

[@kjsciacca]

I'm gonna ask a stupid question. Army, Air Force, Navy have football teams. Why not Marines

[@arrowshot3000]

Because the Marines are a part of the Navy

[@slaughter077]

The Marines do not have their own service academy like the Air Force, Army, Navy, and Coast Guard do. Students at the Naval Academy have the opportunity to join the Marines; each year about 25% of the graduating class does. The Marines are not a part of the Navy but they are under the authority of the Department of the Navy and the Secretary of the Navy. The Commandant of the Marine Corps (highest ranking Marine Officer) does not report to the Chief of Naval Operations (highest ranking Naval Officer), though.

[@kjsciacca]

Jacob Slaughter Cool- I didn't know this. Thanks for explaining

[@jsmithers6118]

So considering the department was reorganized and renamed 'The Department of the Navy and Marine Corps' you still think the Marines aren't part of the Navy? I don't understand that. Yea they're all about 'ooh rah Marines are hardcore' bla bla bla, but at the end of the day they're the infantry arm of the Navy. (background: I'm a 4 year USMC vet)

[@slaughter077]

No problem!

[@RenaldyCalixte]

Without that safety and the missed XP all Houston woulda needed was a FG at the end instead of a TD.

[@cpodurnell3701]

this is beyond hilarious. #6? could not tell. Go Navy!

[@encycl07pedia-]

+Sean Byrne Houston just sucks and was greatly overrated.

[@encycl07pedia-]

***** I'm not a Navy fan, but Houston is still garbage for losing to them.

[@devinsturgill]

Houston just couldn't contain their running game and had 3 turnovers that's why they lost.I'm a Houston fan and will say you guys did deserve that win.

[@devinsturgill]

I like being respectful to opponents not an ass like a lot of people.Gotta give credit where credit is due

[@devinsturgill]

Yeah not having our starting RB didn't help either. Our defense was better last year so I'm not really surprised that their running game did so good also our 3 defensive players being out just made it even worse and they've also had more time to figure out how to use their running game against us.

[@RealmofFreakdom]

that is Houston fault for not being ready. Cougars cannot let Navy hang around.

[@joycetoal5627]

i think the Pittsburgh Steelers are the best even though i like the eagles but im a fan of Pittsburgh Steelers also nothing wrong with that. Ilike other teams too Miami Dolphins, etc.

[@jsmithers6118]

wtf?

[@love-ce5xq]

yo #58 had a game!!

[@roadwarrior52]

😮😮😮😮

[@brianlee5132]

rankings are so stupid.

[@babykevinxoxo]

Houston did not give good effort

[@j.namwen.97]

That's what they get 😂😂

[@thebluefus]

Great job Navy! May Houston lose another.

[@Bro_DT]

Houston 🤦🏾‍♂️

[@m0j0101]

a lot of mistakes by houston.

[@souljadaniel8073]

Navy barley won

[@rdawg3630]

DanielKream a win is a win.

[@LightningWing11]

And Houston didn’t win

[@adamfranco4144]

Navy still trash tho

[@andrewde78]

Adam Franco, the football team is not trash. It's loaded with really good players that could have gone anywhere else to play, but chose something bigger than themselves. Please fuck yourself, thanks...

[@adamfranco4144]

Andrew U.S.M.C Nope its trash deal with it

[@andrewde78]

Adam Franco, they also finished ranked last year as well in case you didn't notice. I'll deal "with it" happily.

[@adamfranco4144]

Jeffrey McCall Houston is better tho

[@gman4eva9]

But they lost...

[@LilOBX]

not taking away the credit from navy but u of h really could have dominated navy greg had 3 dumb ass turn over back to back that caused 10 points plus the safty so 12 points.... take away all those dumb mistakes and houston beats the hell outta navy