Tai Lavatai returned from a two-game injury absence to lead Navy back from a 13-point fourth-quarter deficit and a 34-30 win over UCF on Saturday for the Midshipmen's first victory this season.
UCF_Navy_Football_73715 Navy players celebrate after defeating UCF 34-30 during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Annapolis, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
AP Photo/Julio Cortez
UCF_Navy_Football_97309 Navy safety Kevin Brennan (7) breaks up a pass intended for UCF wide receiver Nate Craig-Myers, center, as cornerback Jamal Glenn (16) helps defend during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Annapolis, Md. Navy won 34-30. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
AP Photo/Julio Cortez
UCF_Navy_Football_23222 UCF head coach Gus Malzahn reacts during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Navy, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Annapolis, Md. Navy won 34-30. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
AP Photo/Julio Cortez
UCF_Navy_Football_53139 UCF head coach Gus Malzahn, left, shakes hands with Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo after an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Annapolis, Md. Navy won 34-30. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
AP Photo/Julio Cortez
UCF_Navy_Football_35255 Navy players celebrate after defeating UCF 34-30 during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Annapolis, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
AP Photo/Julio Cortez
UCF_Navy_Football_97895 UCF quarterback Dillon Gabriel wears a sling while watching the first half of an NCAA college football game against Navy from the sideline, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Annapolis, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
AP Photo/Julio Cortez
UCF_Navy_Football_61095 UCF quarterback Dillon Gabriel wears a sling while watching the first half of an NCAA college football game against Navy from the sideline, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Annapolis, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
AP Photo/Julio Cortez
UCF_Navy_Football_52230 Navy place kicker Bijan Nichols, right, reacts with holder Daniel Davies after kicking an extra point against UCF during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Annapolis, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
AP Photo/Julio Cortez
UCF_Navy_Football_55109 UCF running back Johnny Richardson runs with the ball against Navy during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Annapolis, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
AP Photo/Julio Cortez
UCF_Navy_Football_00335 Navy fullback Isaac Ruoss runs with the ball against UCF during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Annapolis, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
AP Photo/Julio Cortez
UCF_Navy_Football_55089 Navy quarterback Tai Lavatai runs with the ball against UCF during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Annapolis, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
AP Photo/Julio Cortez
UCF_Navy_Football_28668 Navy linebacker Diego Fagot gestures after a play against UCF during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Annapolis, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
AP Photo/Julio Cortez
UCF_Navy_Football_91606 Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo looks on during the first half of an NCAA college football game against UCF, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Annapolis, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
AP Photo/Julio Cortez
UCF_Navy_Football_84891 UCF head coach Gus Malzahn looks on during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Navy, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Annapolis, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
AP Photo/Julio Cortez
UCF_Navy_Football_68082 UCF wide receiver Brandon Johnson, right, dives for a touchdown after making a catch against Navy cornerback Jamal Glenn (16) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Annapolis, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
AP Photo/Julio Cortez
UCF_Navy_Football_59328 UCF quarterback Mikey Keene looks to pass against Navy during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Annapolis, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
AP Photo/Julio Cortez
APTOPIX_UCF_Navy_Football_59948 Navy's Daniel Taylor falls on the football in the end zone to score a touchdown on a blocked punt during the first half of an NCAA college football game against UCF, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Annapolis, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
AP Photo/Julio Cortez
UCF_Navy_Football_87706 UCF wide receiver Amari Johnson runs withg the ball while scoring a touchdown against Navy during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Annapolis, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
AP Photo/Julio Cortez
UCF_Navy_Football_53805 UCF wide receiver Amari Johnson runs withg the ball while scoring a touchdown against Navy during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Annapolis, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
AP Photo/Julio Cortez
UCF_Navy_Football_96485 Navy's Daniel Taylor, right, is congratulated by Tyger Goslin after he recovered a blocked punt by Navy on a kick by UCF for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Annapolis, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
AP Photo/Julio Cortez
UCF_Navy_Football_41855 UCF quarterback Dillon Gabriel wears a sling while watching the first half of an NCAA college football game against Navy from the sidelines, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Annapolis, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
AP Photo/Julio Cortez
UCF_Navy_Football_45921 Navy quarterback Tai Lavatai, right, avoids a tackle by UCF defensive lineman Anthony Montalvo before scoring on a touchdown run during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Annapolis, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
AP Photo/Julio Cortez
UCF_Navy_Football_17047 Navy quarterback Tai Lavatai, right, avoids a tackle by UCF defensive lineman Anthony Montalvo before scoring on a touchdown run during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Annapolis, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Tai Lavatai returned from a two-game injury absence to lead Navy back from a 13-point fourth-quarter deficit and a 34-30 win over UCF on Saturday for the Midshipmen’s first victory this season.
With Navy trailing 30-27, Diego Fabot knocked the ball out of Brandon Johnson’s hands after a 20-yard reception and Taylor Robinson recovered at the Navy 47. Eleven plays and over five minutes later, Isaac Ruoss ran in from the 4-yard line to give the Midshipmen the lead with 3:09 left.
UCF quickly went down the field down to the Navy 12, but Robinson, who dropped a would-be interception two plays earlier, came up with a pick in the end zone on fourth down with 24 seconds remaining.
The victory was the first for Navy (1-3, 1-1) in three meetings with the Knights (2-2, 0-1) since joining the American Athletic Conference in 2015, the final league team the Midshipmen were winless against.
Bijan Nichols kicked his second field goal and Lavatai, who missed the previous two games, ran for his second touchdown of the game after Navy entered the fourth quarter trailing 30-17.
Lavatai and Ruoss had 21 carries each as Navy ran for 348 yards led by 85 from Carlinos Acie.
Daniel Taylor recovered a blocked punt in the end zone for a Navy TD in the first half.
UCF freshman Mikey Keene, making his first start in place of the injured Dillon Gabriel, was 16-of-26 passing for 178 yards and two TDs to Johnson.
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