Independents News and Notes
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PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (Sports Network)
ARMY - The Black Knights were idle this past weekend. They've lost two straight and four of their last five games, but will try to get their season turned around at Air Force on Saturday.
NAVY - The Midshipmen had their five-game win streak snapped by the red-hot Temple Owls, 27-24. Navy was shooting for its first six-game win streak since 1979. Like every other team that has faced Temple this season, the Mids had all kinds of trouble with freshman running back Bernard Pierce, who ran for 267 yards and scored the go-ahead touchdown on a 41-yard burst late in the fourth quarter. For the first time this season, the Navy offense failed to score a touchdown in the first half. Kriss Proctor got his second start at quarterback in place of injured starter Ricky Dobbs. Proctor ran for 52 yards and a touchdown, though one of his four pass attempts was intercepted. Vince Murray carried 33 times for a team-high 115 yards and a touchdown in the loss. Navy will try to get back on track at Notre Dame this weekend.
NOTRE DAME - For the first time since their season opener, the Fighting Irish didn't have to sweat out a tight fourth quarter, as they ran away with a 40-14 win over Washington State. The win came at the Alamodome in Texas, as Notre Dame's schedule now features one offsite home game each year. Jimmy Clausen completed 22-of-27 passes for 268 yards and two scores. Golden Tate caught one of those touchdown passes, and he also scored on a 16-yard run in the second quarter. Robert Hughes was effective on the ground, carrying 24 times for 131 yards and a touchdown. Hughes' production is a welcome addition to an offense that ranks fifth in the nation in total yards (457.6 ypg). Clausen is performing up to the lofty expectations that surrounded him when he was the nation's No. 1 recruit coming out of high school. He is completing 67 percent of his passes (289.8 ypg) and has thrown 18 touchdowns with only two interceptions. Up next for the Irish is a home bout with Navy this weekend.
