DALLAS (FWAA) The Navy Midshipmen ran all over Memphis with their triple-option ground game, rushing for 374 yards in a 45-20 road win that upped their record to 7-1 for the first time since 2004. For ending the previously-unbeaten Tigers' win streak at 15 games and beating a top-15 team for the first time since 1984, the Midshipmen earned the AutoNation National Team of the Week honor for games of the weekend of Nov. 7.
Chris Swain ran for 108 yards and three touchdowns to pace the ground attack against a Memphis defense giving up only 118.8 rushing yards per game to that point. But the Navy defense earned equal credit in the win, holding a Memphis offense to a season-low scoring output.
"They run a lot better and are a lot more athletic than anyone gives them credit for," Memphis coach Justin Fuente said. "They kicked our tail. ... They are a nightmare."
Navy has lost only twice in its last 15 games, both of them to nationally-ranked Notre Dame. The last time Navy beat a top-15 team was Nov. 17, 1984, against then-No. 2 South Carolina, and the win at Memphis was the first road win over a top-15 team since Sept. 21, 1974, against then-No. 8 Penn State. The Midshipmen will look to go 8-1 for the first time since 1963 this Saturday when they host SMU.
Other AutoNation National Team of the Week nominees for the weekend of Nov. 7 included:
Alabama (9-1): The Crimson Tide rolled over LSU, 30-16, as running back Derrick Henry ran for 210 yards and three touchdowns. Henry outshined LSU's Leonard Fournette with the help of the Alabama defense that held the nation's leading rusher to a paltry 31 yards on 19 carries. Henry rushed 38 times · the third-most carries by one player in a game in Alabama·s history · and scored two third-quarter touchdowns that put Alabama in control with a 27-10 lead.
Nebraska (4-6): The Cornhuskers scored two touchdowns in the final 1:47 to rally from a 12-point deficit and post a 39-38 win over unbeaten Michigan State, matching the largest fourth-quarter comeback in school history in front of their 346th consecutive home sellout crowd. Quarterback Tommy Armstrong returned from a one-week absence due to injury to throw for 320 yards and two touchdowns and added two more scores on the ground.
Oklahoma State (9-0): The Cowboys crushed unbeaten TCU, 49-29, as Mason Rudolph passed for 352 yards and five touchdowns. James Washington torched the Horned Frogs' defense with five catches for 184 yards and three touchdowns. Oklahoma State's defense intercepted TCU's Trevone Boykin four times as the Cowboys improved to 9-0 for just the third time in school history.
As part of AutoNations history of charitable involvement, AutoNation will donate $1,000 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) in the U.S. Naval Academy's name. This charitable college football initiative culminates with the AutoNation Cure Bowl, a new post-season NCAA football game that kicks off bowl season at the Citrus Bowl Stadium in Orlando, Fla., and will be aired by CBS Sports Network. The aptly named AutoNation Cure Bowl also serves as a fund raiser for the BCRF, CharityWatch's only A+ rated breast cancer organization in the country.
"We want to celebrate the very best of college football, while also helping to raise awareness for the importance of finding a cure for cancer," says AutoNation CMO Marc Cannon. "This season-long partnership with the FWAA, leading up to the AutoNation Cure Bowl, puts a spotlight on a cause that we're determined to tackle."
"In our 75th season of existence, this a marvelous platform to get our players and the team of the week series excellent exposure as well as helping AutoNation in its effort to fight cancer and contribute to the educational funds of deserving student-athletes," said FWAA 2015 President Lee Barfknecht of the Omaha World-Herald. "It is very exciting to be able to help our organization as well as others in this splendid effort."
The Football Writers Association of America has named a national team of the week since the 2002 season. This is the first season AutoNation has presented the award. Members of the FWAA All-America Committee decide the weekly honor. Each remaining Monday during the 2015 college football regular season, the FWAA will name a National Team of the Week. Members of the FWAA All-America Committee decide the weekly honor.
AutoNation is also the presenting sponsor of the FWAA's national offensive and defensive players of the week announced each Tuesday, the 2015 FWAA All-America Team and the 75th Anniversary FWAA All-America Team. The 2015 AutoNation FWAA All-America Team will be announced at the AutoNation Cure Bowl on Dec. 19.
About AutoNation, Inc.:
AutoNation is transforming the automotive retail industry through bold leadership. We deliver a peerless automotive retail experience through our customer-focused sales and service processes. Owning and operating 293 new vehicle franchises, which sell 35 new vehicle brands across 15 states, AutoNation is America's largest automotive retailer, with state-of-the-art operations and the ability to leverage economies of scale that benefit the customer. As an indication of our leadership position in our industry, AutoNation is a component of the S&P 500 Index.
About the AutoNation Cure Bowl:
The AutoNation Cure Bowl a new post-season NCAA football game whose net proceeds benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. The AutoNation Cure Bowl takes place December 19 at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, and will be broadcast by CBS Sports Network. The bowl is scheduled to involve teams from the American Athletic and Sun Belt conferences.
About the Football Writers Association of America:
Founded in 1941, the FWAA consists of 1,400 men and women who cover college football. The membership includes journalists, broadcasters and publicists, as well as key executives in all the areas that involve the game. The FWAA works to govern areas that include game-day operations, major awards and its annual All-America team. For more information about the FWAA and its award programs, contact Steve Richardson at tiger@fwaa.com.