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Navy Football: 3 takeaways from tough loss to Memphis in Week 5

By Dante Pryor

ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND - SEPTEMBER 14: Wide receiver CJ Williams #20 of the Navy Midshipmen scores a touchdown against the East Carolina Pirates during the second half at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on September 14, 2019 in Annapolis, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND - SEPTEMBER 14: Wide receiver CJ Williams #20 of the Navy Midshipmen scores a touchdown against the East Carolina Pirates during the second half at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on September 14, 2019 in Annapolis, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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Navy football had a lead at the half but was unable to close the door on Memphis. What did we learn from the Midshipmen’s loss?

35. 858. Final. 23. 944

What a fantastic game to open the college football Week 5 slate. The Tigers and the Midshipmen did not disappoint at the Liberty bowl in Memphis. It was a tale of two halves in this game. Although close at half, Navy was up 20-14.

In the second half, the Memphis defense looked fantastic limiting Navy to three points in a 35-23 win handing the Midshipmen their first loss of the season. Here are three takeaways from tonight’s game:

3. Memphis is athletic

The Tigers have athletes all over the field. Even when Navy was up in the first half, Memphis did a great job of pursuing the Navy runners from sideline to sideline tracking them down. Navy did have five runs of over 10 yards, but only one of them came in the second half.

What was most profound in the game was Memphis turned the tide of the game using their superior athleticism. The Tigers were bigger, stronger, and faster.

On offense, they have perimeter speed all over the place. Leading rusher Kenneth Gainwell had a 74-yard run, and tonight’s leading receiver Antonio Gibson had a 73-yard reception. This is a team with the ability to make explosive plays all over the field.

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