The United States Naval Academy looked impressive in the program’s opening game of 2016.

Playing in a four-game-four-team weekend in Charlotte, NC, Navy used a superior scrum and some excellent defensive pressure to beat Clemson 36-12.

Clemson scored first through Drew Dommel, but after that Navy scored off a good scrum platform. But the key try may have been late in the first half. Navy kicked deep and almost intercepted a pass to score. The Midshipmen knocked on, but won the scrum anyway, and scored in the corner to make it 12-5. 

“After that try we really started to go forward rather than sideways,” said Navy Head Coach Mike Flanagan. “It was a big score.”

So was the next one. A good 11 minutes into the second half, flanker Kevin Kirchmer charged down a Clemson clearance kick to set up a try.

That put Navy well in command at 19-5. And after that pressure and good scrummaging set up two more tries and a 31-5 lead. A big run showed that the Midshipmen can indeed break through defenses, and then Clemson’s Michael Krupp scored for Clemson.

Navy’s try-scorers were Kirchmer, Trey Fullilove, Don Ross, Jacob Griffin, Garrett Smith, and Jake Rowell, while Connor McNerny kicked three conversions.

Also in Charlotte, Life put Air Force to the sword 74-0. Conner Mooneyham scored three tries, and six other Running Eagles - Mike Islava, Cody Melphy, Zander Van Schalkwyk, Carson McCraw, Maciu Koroi, and Harley Davidson - touched down in the rout.

Sunday Navy takes on Life and Clemson faces Air Force.