Poinsettia Bowl 2014: Navy vs. SDSU TV Info, Spread, Injury Updates, Time, More
The Navy Midshipmen and San Diego State Aztecs meet yet again in the Poinsettia Bowl. They face off Tuesday at 9:30 p.m. ET at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego.
These programs collided back in 2010 when one Ronnie Hillman ran for 228 yards in a 35-14 Aztecs' win, but a potent triple-option attack that has the Midshipmen on a roll suggests revenge is in the cards.
The 7-5 Midshipmen have won five of six to close the season, with the lone loss being a contest in which quarterback Keenan Reynolds and Co. gave Notre Dame a serious scare. Winners of three of their last four, the Aztecs are at home for this encounter at Qualcomm Stadium, where they went 6-0 on the year.
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A pair of unique attacks and strong defenses await observers who set aside the time for this late affair. As always seems to be the case with these two, the contest will be one to remember.
Star Power Defined
Donnel Pumphrey is not yet a household name, but he deserves the status.
San Diego State's sophomore back ranks third nationally with 1,755 yards (behind just Melvin Gordon and Tevin Coleman) and 19 touchdowns on an average of 6.9 yards per carry.
Pumphrey has the ability to do it all on his own. He scored two or more touchdowns in six games this year and ran for 100 or more yards nine times. The Las Vegas native capped off his season with 261 yards and a trio of scores in a 38-7 thrashing of San Jose State.
Reynolds is the man tasked with turning things in Navy's favor.
The owner of 826 yards and six scores to three interceptions through the air, the junior does his real damage on the ground. A gaudy 1,182 yards and 21 touchdowns reinforces that notion. The possibility of breaking the all-time FBS rushing touchdown record of 77 seems to be a non-factor to him at this point.
"I'm aware of it," Reynolds said, per The Associated Press (via FoxSports.com). "It's strictly an off-the-field deal. Off-the-field, I know what I need to get. On the field, in practice, my goal is just to execute. Because at the end of the day, if we execute, good things are going to happen."
Given his focus on the bowl game ahead, now would be a good time to mention just how great the Aztecs can be on the defensive side of the football.
Halting the Triple-Option
Rocky Long's Aztecs rank 15th in the nation in points allowed. Opposing teams averaged just 20.1 points per game.
The only problem is that the stat can be deceptive, especially going into this matchup. Run defense is an issue, as the unit has allowed more than 150 yards five times and 20 scores on the ground overall.
Things get more hairy now that the unit needs to dissect a triple-option attack led by Reynolds, an offense that gives even top programs issues.
Navy's aforementioned streak of great form is the product of a potent attack. The only loss over the course of the six-game stretch came at the hands of Notre Dame. Reynolds threw for 118 yards and two scores while the attack piled on 336 rushing yards and three scores on an average of 5.6 yards per carry.
San Diego State will find itself in trouble if Navy can control the clock for more than 33 minutes of play as it did against Notre Dame. For proof, look at a recent loss to Boise State—the Aztecs defense let the Broncos get loose for 212 yards and four scores on the ground.
If the Aztecs cannot use the extra prep time to shut down the Midshipmen, Tuesday may turn into a lopsided affair.
When: Tuesday, December 23, 9:30 p.m. ET
Where: Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California
Television: ESPN
Betting Lines (via Odds Shark):
- Over/Under: 54
- Spread: San Diego State (-3)
Team Injury Reports
| James Britton | LB | 09/23/2014 | is out indefinitely | Out | foot |
| Demond Brown | RB | 12/17/2014 | is questionable for the Poinsettia Bowl Tuesday against San Diego State | Questionable | ankle |
| Cam Henson | DL | 08/22/2014 | will miss the entire season | Out | undisclosed |
| Keenan Reynolds | QB | 12/19/2014 | is probable for the Poinsettia Bowl Tuesday against San Diego State | Probable | ankle |
| Lonnie Richardson | S | 08/30/2014 | will miss the entire season | Out | head |
| William Tuider | LB | 12/14/2014 | is questionable for the Poinsettia Bowl Tuesday against San Diego State | Questionable | shoulder |
| Alex Barrett | NT | 12/19/2014 | is expected to miss the Poinsettia Bowl Tuesday against Navy | Out | foot |
| Jake Fely | LB | 11/17/2014 | will miss the remainder of the season | Out | wrist |
| David McCutchan | LB | 08/23/2014 | has left the team | Out | personal |
| Seamus McMorrow | K | 11/21/2014 | has left the team | Out | personal |
| Tyler Morris | LB | 08/31/2014 | is out indefinitely | Out | knee |
Injury reports per The Sports Network, via USA Today.
Prediction
What sets apart a pair of relatively even teams in a matchup such as this—when even home-field advantage really goes out the window in a sense—is a player such as Pumphrey.
As the numbers show, the Midshipmen struggle to contain the rush this season and will again in the face of one of the nation's top backs.
Navy can and will move the ball, but there is a difference between controlling the clock while moving the chains and putting points on the board. The Midshipmen are not constructed to play from behind, and San Diego State will pull ahead and never really look back.
Prediction: San Diego State 27, Navy 23
Statistics and info courtesy of ESPN unless otherwise specified.
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