Navy drops fourth straight game with 49-36 loss to Houston

Oct. 20, 2018

6:17 p.m.

By Jake Russell

This isn't the season fans in Annapolis expected.

Normally an American Athletic Conference power, the Navy Midshipmen are running low on that extra something that made them annual conference title contenders. Unfortunately, a quick recharge doesn't appear to be in sight this season.

A rough opener in Hawaii gave way to glimpses of hope with a dramatic 22-21 win against conference rival Memphis and a 51-21 shellacking over Lehigh.

It's been downhill since for Navy, having lost three straight entering Saturday's conference battle with the Houston Cougars at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.

Navy began the game with more consistency on offense, taking a 24-21 lead into halftime against a Houston team with plenty of firepower of its own.

However, the Cougars scored 35 points that went unanswered until the Midshipmen scored two touchdowns in the final two minutes of the game. That was not enough for Navy (2-5, 1-3 American Conference), which fell to Houston (6-1, 3-0), 49-36.

Houston's potent offense put up a staggering 570 yards in less than 18 minutes of possession. Cougars quarterback D'Eriq King put up 413 yards and three touchdowns through the air.

The 49 points scored by the Cougars are the most by an opponent at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium since Southern Mississippi beat the Mids, 63-35, on October 8, 2011.

The Midshipmen have now lost four straight games, the longest such streak since dropping six in a row in 2011. At 2-5, Navy is experiencing its worst start through seven games since 2011.

Navy needs to finished the season 4-2 in order to be bowl eligible. Considering the schedule ahead, that task looks daunting.

The Midshipmen travel to play No. 4 Notre Dame in San Diego next Saturday (8 p.m. on CBS), Saturday, November 3 against No. 20 Cincinnati and Saturday, November 10 against No. 10 Central Florida. Navy will face Tulsa in its home finale on Saturday, November 17 at 3:30 p.m. That game will be oadcast on CBS Sports Network.

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