• Recap
• Bleachers

Dobbs, Navy run all over Rice 63-14

Oct 11, 2009 - 1:27 AM HOUSTON(AP) -- Ricky Dobbs had more touchdowns than passes.

Navy's quarterback ran for four touchdowns and passed three times in a 63-14 win over Rice on Saturday that showcased the Midshipmen's option offense.

"I thought we played great offensively, great defensively," Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo. "I thought it was a great team win. That's what we were trying to get. After a big win over Air Force, I was concerned how we would respond."

Dobbs ran for 105 yards and before yielding to backup Kriss Proctor, who added three scoring runs of his own to finish off the Midshipmen's most comprehensive win of the season.

Marcus Curry ran for 86 yards and a score on 10 carries and Proctor finished with 83 yards.

The Owls were outgained 538 yards to 271, and held to 16 yards rushing. Nick Fanuzzi completed 20 of 33 passes for 241 yards and two TDs, but was picked off twice.

Rice didn't score until after Navy got touchdowns on its first five possessions. Dobbs completed two passes for 66 yards, including a 51-yarder to Curry on the Mids' first snap. Dobbs ran it in from 2 yards out on the next play, adding TD runs from 12 yards and 1 yard on his next two possessions before Vince Murray's 7-yard run and Curry's 1-yarder put the Midshipmen up 35-0.

The Owls got Patrick Randolph's 12-yard touchdown catch, but couldn't do anything else until Randolph's second touchdown made it 56-14 in the fourth quarter.

Navy's methodical triple-option was on display all afternoon, with three drives longer than 10 plays and not a single three-and-out until the game was well out of reach.

The Midshipmen ran 82 plays on offense to Rice's 54, and converted eight of 14 third and fourth downs, including all three on fourth down.

"I thought it was a great team win. I thought we played great in all three phases," Niumatalolo said. Kick-off coverage is probably the one thing we could have been better. I thought we plated pretty well in every phase."