WEST POINT, N.Y. -- Miami staged a furious rally to force overtime, but hosting Army stopped Kenny Young short of the goal on a two-point PAT attempt in the second overtime to edge the RedHawks 31-30 Saturday at Michie Stadium.
(GAME PHOTOS TO COME!!!)
MU quarterback Gus Ragland’s 18-yard touchdown pass to Luke Mayock in the second OT period pulled the RedHawks to within one-point.
Midway through the fourth quarter, overtime looked very unlikely as Army -- one of the nation’s time of possessions leaders, held a 21-7 lead. However, MU’s defense, which surrendered just seven points over the third and fourth quarters, force a punt that gave Miami the ball at its own 32 with 6:17 remaining.
Army recovered MU’s onside kick, but could not get a first down and punted to Miami.
Two completions -- one to Walker for 16 and another to Jack Sorenson for 14 yards -- got the RedHawks drive going. Again, however, Army the visitors into forced a fourth down situation. Needing three yards from the Army 47, Ragland found Walker for six yards to keep the drive moving. Five plays later, Ragland found Sorenson for a 20-yard gain.
Sloman’s 33-yard field goal in the opening overtime segment put MU up 24-21, but Army’s John Abercrombie matched the three points with his 37-yard boot.
Army’s offense got the football first in the next overtime. Aided by a face-mask penalty, the Black Knights put a touchdown on the board. Darnell Woolfolk covered the final seven yards and the successful PAT kick gave Army a 31-24 advantage.
Miami matched that touchdown, but came up short on its two-point try for a win.
Miami, on the other hand, got just 77 yards on the ground and Ragland scrambled for 56 of that total.
The vast majority of MU’s offense came through Ragland’s arm as the completed 30 of 53 pass attempts, good for 329 yards and four touchdowns.
Sorenson (5 catches, 75 yards, Young (5 catches, 71 yards, 1 TD) and Walker (8 catches, 71 yards) let the way. Becker and Robinson also had TD receptions.
Overall, MU owned a 406-347 advantage in total yards and had three more first downs. In a real rarity for Army, its opponent actually had more time of possession (Miami 38:52-Army 36:08)
Neither team had a turnover, but the Black Knights were penalized just once for five yards, while MU drew eight flags for 56 yards.