The Navy Midshipmen showed the college football world on Saturday why special teams are one of the most important aspects of the game, as a brutal blunder on an extra-point try against the USF Bulls led to a defensive PAT conversion.
Trailing 21-14, Navy was able to score a touchdown with just 1:57 remaining in the second quarter on a two-yard touchdown pass from Navy quarterback Black Horvath.
Blake Horvath finds Anton Hall for the score!#AmericanFB x @NavyFB pic.twitter.com/VdnwkyDCEE
— The American (@American_Conf) September 30, 2023
It looked like Navy would tie up the game with an extra-point try coming that would have made it a 21-21 game. Unfortunately, all of the momentum from the touchdown would end up being lost after the Navy holder was not able to catch on a high snap on the PAT attempt.
The snap ended up flying over his head, and South Florida linebacker Jhalyn Shuler would recover the live ball and return it all the way to the end zone, resulting in a two-point conversion the other way for USF.
"That's 2 for USF!"@JhalynShuler with the scoop & score on the PAT.
📺: @CBSSportsNet #ComeToTheBay | #StayInTheBay pic.twitter.com/nc2p7XAKPI
— USF Football (@USFFootball) September 30, 2023
South Florida would go into the half with a 23-20 lead due to the costly error, and Navy fans were not thrilled about the mistake coming at such an inopportune time.
Everything about this Navy extra point was a disaster https://t.co/qQB40z4O7v pic.twitter.com/CiReZAeejk
— SB Nation (@SBNation) September 30, 2023
Halftime: USF 23, Navy 20
Bulls pretty much dominated after falling behind 14-0, but a Byrum Brown fumble gave the Mids the ball at the USF 22. Horvath to Hall for a 2yd TD, but extra point is botched and returned for 2 pts.— Kareem Copeland (@kareemcopeland) September 30, 2023
NAVY HAS TROUBLE WITH THE EXTRA POINT SNAP AND SOUTH FLORIDA RETURNS IT FOR TWO!! pic.twitter.com/ISJB5wTWgv
— 🇸🇲 Sickos Committee 🇸🇲 (@SickosCommittee) September 30, 2023
Greatest sport invented
— Marx Mangino (@hawksby50) September 30, 2023
Bad day for Game Tying Extra Points in Group of 5 games.
— William (@Whispering_City) September 30, 2023
Can we agree on a name for this type of play?
I humbly submit to the committee "scoop and safety" or "little duece scoop"
— Justin Jackson (@justincjackson) September 30, 2023
USF would build on this momentum in the second half of play, maintaining the lead and cruising to a 44-30 victory.
Road Dub#ComeToTheBay | #StayInTheBay pic.twitter.com/KKHcJiK6Nv
— USF Football (@USFFootball) September 30, 2023
Navy was only trailing by three points heading into the second half, so it may be a stretch to say that this play was what cost them this game.
However, there is certainly an argument that this was the play where things began to take a turn for the worse for them in this matchup.
[USF Football on Twitter, Photo Credit: CBS Sports Network]
About Reice Shipley
Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.