The US Naval Academy came out of its winter break to beat Arkansas State 36-5 in a Mid-South Conference match on Saturday.

The scoreline was a bit of a surprise to many collegiate observers, given that Arkansas State had beaten Life University just a few weeks ago. Navy started off strong by turning the ball over on the opening kickoff with a well-timed hit on the receipt. Strong running by Navy's Joey Hobbs and Jermaine Oliver put the Midshipmen deep into Arkansas State territory before Erick Bleakley broke through the Arkansas State line from five meters out to give Navy the early lead. The conversion was charged down making it 5-0 in the 2nd minute.

Field position and possession battle ensued following the first points. Both teams were able to stop crucial drives with Navy stealing Arkansas State's lineout inside their own 22, and Arkansas State judged to hold up one of Navy's tries. 

The scoreless streak was broken in the 20th minute when Navy stole another Arkansas State lineout from five meters out. With penalty advantage in his favor, flyhalf, Lewis Gray chipped a perfectly-weighted crossfield kick that was touched down by Navy wing Collin Argue. Gray made the sideline conversion, making it 12-0.

Navy scored another try four minutes later after stealing another Arkansas State lineout. A clever pass from Navy scrumhalf Kevin Strehle to Jermaine Oliver saw Oliver attack the weakside and he was over for Navy's third try. The conversion was missed making it 17-0. 

Arkansas State responded with points of their own in the 35th minute after multiple knocks on Navy's door. The try was scored after Arkansas State flyhalf Aidan Ridgeway kicked a well-placed grubber through Navy's defensive line. The ball was recovered by Arkansas State’s Daniel Raath and touched down. The conversion was missed making it 17-5.

Arkansas State kept possession and applied pressure on the Midshipmen defense following an interception from a Navy pass. The Red Wolves were closing in on the tryline before a grubber kick was sent through. Strehle was high-ackled, and calmly dusted himself off, picked up the ball, and tapped quickly. Strehler fed prop Andrew Malick, who popped the ball on to Bleakley. The Midshipmen center carried the ball 50 meters, evading tackles on the way before offloading back to the Malick who gave it on to Argue. Argue scampered in from 40 meters resulting in a scintillating end-to-end Navy try. Gray’s conversion was successful making it 24-5 in favor of Navy going into the half.

Navy had the wind at their backs in the second half and once again came out the aggressors, scoring first. Following multiple phases of attack, the ball was sent wide to Joey Hobbs who looked to score, but the referee’s decision held-up in-goal. Keeping the pressure on the Red Wolves, Hobbs finally capped off an attack to touch down. That made it 29-5.

Moments later, Hobbs would score again off a powerful run up in the middle of Arkansas State’s defense following a dominant Navy scrum. Gray kicked the conversion. Navy led 36-5. This would be the last points of the game for either side as Navy were judged to have knocked the ball on as another try was ruled out. 

Navy won the possession battle well enough (58%) but it was territory (66) where they truly controlled the game. 

“We are very pleased with a number of areas today," said Navy Director of Rugby Gavin Hickie. "We identified Arkansas State’s threats and did a good job of executing our plan to nullify them and put ourselves in good positions to score. Our set piece was solid and some of our decision-making in attack was very good which lead to some fantastic tries. We still have plenty of work to do but are very excited about the challenges over the coming weeks.”

Navy travels to California to face Saint Mary’s at Cal's Witter Field in Berkeley. 

This is a huge gam for Navy and they are certainly targeting the Gaels as a victory to point to.