Watch CBS News

Air Force Beats Navy In Overtime 35-34

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- Tim Jefferson ran for a 1-yard touchdown in overtime and Parker Herrington added the conversion to give Air Force a wild 35-34 victory over Navy on Saturday, a significant first step in the Falcons' bid to retain the coveted Commander-in-Chief's Trophy.

Air Force blew an 18-point lead in the fourth quarter and allowed a touchdown to Navy to begin the overtime. But the
Midshipmen were penalized for an excessive celebration, and Jon Teague's long conversion attempt was blocked.

The Falcons (3-1) then moved quickly into position for the game-winning score. Air Force has beaten Navy (2-2) twice in a row following seven straight defeats.

Air Force needs only to beat Army on Nov. 5 to keep the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy, which represents superiority among the three service academies. If the teams all finish 1-1 in the round-robin competition, the previous winner holds onto the prize.

Navy trailed 28-10 with 14:55 left but closed to 28-26 with 19 seconds left after recovering an onside kick and getting a 5-yard touchdown pass from Kriss Proctor to Gee Gee Greene. Needing a 2-point conversion to force overtime, Proctor rolled left and pitched it to Alexander Teich, who scooted into the corner of the end zone.

The comeback began with a 7-yard touchdown run by Proctor, and the Midshipmen got the ball back at their own 7 with 7:04 left.

Navy's methodical offense needed five minutes to get a field goal, and the Mids got one final chance after recovering the onside kick.

Proctor shook several tackles on a 27-yard run, setting the stage for the hectic last minute of regulation and an even crazier overtime.

Navy went ahead in the extra session on a 1-yard touchdown run by Proctor, but the blocked extra point proved to be the difference.

Jefferson ran for two scores and threw a touchdown pass, and the Falcons got 23 tackles from senior linebacker Brady Amack.

Proctor scored three touchdowns and ran for 134 yards, and Teich rushed for 148 yards.

Coming off a 63-24 rout of Tennessee State, the Falcons kept their offense humming against Navy by opening with touchdown drives of 63 yards, 80 yards and 75 yards for a 21-3 lead with 12:26 left in the second quarter.

Navy put together two long drives after that, but one ended with a missed field goal and the other was cut short by an interception on the final play before halftime.

A 2-yard touchdown run by Proctor made it 21-10, and a fumble by Falcons fullback Wes Cobb gave the ball back to the Midshipmen at the Air Force 38. But Bo Snelson was called for intentional grounding on an ill-fated halfback pass, and after a punt, the Falcons' offense jumped into action.

Asher Clark launched an 89-yard drive with a 46-yard run and finished it off with a 6-yarder, making it 28-10.

That's when Navy began its stunning comeback.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.