Watch the Pittsburgh vs. Navy Military Bowl online: Time, TV schedule, live stream, 3 things to know
Navy is gunning for the first 11-win season in school history, but Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi will be looking to make a statement in his first year with the Panthers.
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
After a season filled with record setting performances, Keenan Reynolds will have one more chance to make history for Navy Football. A win over Pittsburgh in the 2015 Military Bowl would deliver the Midshipmen's first ever 11-win season.
Navy has rolled through one of the best seasons in school history behind its Heisman candidate quarterback. Reynolds, who set NCAA records for total touchdowns and career rushing touchdowns at the tail end of his four-year career at quarterback, can cap his career with his 36th win and tie the academy’s record for most total wins by a player (set way back in 1908). All he has to do is beat the Panthers in Annapolis.
The Midshipmen have the tools to give the Panthers trouble in the postseason. Pittsburgh’s first year coach Pat Narduzzi earned his CFB stripes as Michigan State’s defensive coordinator, but he’ll have to face the unique challenge of Navy’s triple option offense. Only one team in the country rushes for more yards per game than the Midshipmen, and though Reynolds is the headliner, eight of his teammates have run for at least 100 yards this season.
Narduzzi has molded the Panthers into a top-20 ground defense, but Georgia Tech -- who is Navy like when it comes to the triple option -- ran for 376 yards (9.4 yards per carry) and three touchdowns against them this fall. They hung on to win that game 31-28, but the Yellow Jackets may have given Ken Niumatalolo the blueprint he needs to secure a bowl win. Pitt will have to prove that it’s improved since that mid-October tilt if it is going to finish its season on a high note.
How to watch, stream and listen
TV: Dec. 28, 2:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, Eamon McAnaney and Rocky Boiman will have the call.
Radio: Navy, Pittsburgh
Online streaming: WatchESPN
Spread: Navy is favored by 4 points.
Make friends: Get to SB Nation’s team blog chats for this game at Underdog Dynasty (for Navy fans) and Cardiac Hill (for Pitt fans).
Three big things to know
1. Pitt football quietly struck out to its best regular season record since Dave Wannstedt roamed the sidelines, and it was able to do it without beastly tailback James Conner. Conner ran for 1,765 yards and 26 touchdowns in 2014 before suffering an MCL injury early this year (and later being diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma. Get better soon, James). All their losses have come against teams with eight wins or more. Defeating Navy would give Narduzzi the quality win he needs to validate a successful first season in Pittsburgh.
2. Navy gets the advantage of playing on its home field. The Midshipmen have won nine straight games at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium and have scored more than 40 points per game in Annapolis this season. However, if there’s any team that’s ready for a road challenge, it’s Pitt. The Panthers are 6-1 away from Heinz Field in 2015. Their only loss came on a last-minute field goal against No. 5 Iowa back in September.
3. The advanced stats like Navy in this one. S&P+ predicts a 34-27 Midshipmen victory thanks to their staunch running game, efficient offense and a defense that has helped the team post a +15 turnover margin in 2015.
* * *
SB Nation presents: All 40 college football bowl games, in one song
See More:
