HOUSTON — It’s hard to win a football game if you barely have the ball.
Missouri learned that lesson Thursday.
In a 35-13 win over Missouri, Navy held the ball for 40:54, while Missouri only had the ball for 19:06.
Two significant records saw changes in the game
• Danario Alexander broke Justin Gage’s record for receiving yards in a career at Missouri. Alexander finished his tenure as a Tiger with 2,778 yards.
• Navy quarterback Ricky Dobbs extended his NCAA record for rushing touchdowns in a season by a quarterback. His three touchdowns put him up to 27 rushing touchdowns for the season.
Missouri’s last significant opportunity to come back came early in the fourth quarter. A Dobbs touchdown pass put Navy ahead 28-13 with 14:23 to go in the game. Missouri drove the ball to the Navy 13-yard line, but didn’t get any points on the drive.
Three straight incomplete passes led to a turnover on downs. Navy got the ball back with 10:48 to go in the game.
Navy put the game away on its ensuing drive, scoring a touchdown to take a 35-13 lead. The drive went 10 plays for 85 yards, ending with a one-yard touchdown run for Dobbs.
Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert threw an interception on the next drive, and the Navy celebration began with less than three minutes to go in the game.
Dobbs hurt Missouri by both passing and running.
• He had 30 carries for 166 yards and three touchdowns.
• He was 9-14 passing for 130 yards and a touchdown.