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Navy pulls out epic trick play on fourth down to set up game-winning field goal in Liberty Bowl

Paul Harvey

By Paul Harvey

Published:

Navy sure found a way to end its season with some fireworks!

The Midshipmen truly found a way to rebound this season under head coach Ken Niumatalolo. After a three-win 2018 season, Navy won 10 games heading into a Liberty Bowl showdown with Kansas State.

The game did not feature a lot of scoring with the score all knotted up at 17 late in the game. Navy wound up facing a fourth down near midfield with less than 30 seconds to go, and Niumatalolo and company decided to roll the dice and go for it.

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With Navy running a triple-option attack, it sure looked like Kansas State was in a great defensive position to stop the play. However, what started as a toss sweep turned into a trick play when the running back pulled up to pass.

The throw was perfect with the wide receiver running free down the sideline. Kansas State tracked him down inside the five-yard line, but the huge play set up a game-winning field goal with just seconds remaining:

The season-ending victory gives the Midshipmen 11 wins for a second time under Niumatalolo, matching the season total from 2015. What a way to end 2019!

Paul Harvey

Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.