A last-second try from No. 8 Spencer Craig put Navy over Arkansas State 19-14 in a top-10 clash in the Mid-South on Sunday.

In very cold and wet conditions, the two highly-touted teams bashed into each other in a physical contest.

The game got underway with the Red Wolves kicking to the Midshipmen, and the first 20 minutes were much like a heavyweight bout, with the teams feeling each other out and setting the tone for the toughness of the match. Navy threatened the Arkansas State line a few times in the opening minutes where a couple of mistakes at lineout time led to penalties against the Midshipmen, which Arkansas State was able to capitalize on with a quick tap try in the 24th minute. 

Center Calvin Gentry went through for the try, and Dylan Boast converted to make the score 7-0 for the Red Wolves.

Navy’s pack, which exercised dominance at scrum time throughout the first half, pushed the Arkansas State forwards over the line, and the referee awarded a penalty try as the first half ended 7-7.

Navy kicked to Arkansas State to start the second half, which saw much of the same seesaw action between the two sides. It was Arkansas State that broke through first in the 60th minute, with Gentry getting his second after some sustained pressure. Boast once again converted the try and Arkansas State led 14-7.

Navy was able to gain territory following the score and after holding possession inside the opposing 22-meter line junior prop Bo Kendrick-Holmes finished off a series of pick-and-go attempts to dot down a crucial try in the 70th minute. Senior scrumhalf Cole Euverard’s conversion was good and the sides were again level at 14-14. 

Navy kept the pressure on, earning a penalty in kicking range the 75th minute. The kick missed wide, but the pressure remained inside the Arkansas State 22. As the clock hit 80 minutes, Navy lined up for a scrum on the five-meter, and Euverard carried to within inches of the tryline before Craig was able to drive for the game-winner.

It was a game filled with drama up until the last minute and beyond, with the two sides providing a thrilling spectacle for the fans on hand. Things will not get any easier for the Midshipmen, who travel to Marietta, Georgia, to take on the No. 1-ranked Running Eagles of Life University this Saturday.

Watch Navy vs. Life LIVE on FloRugby, KO 1:30 p.m. ET

Arkansas State plays on the road against Lindenwood, who will look for some revenge for the Red Wolves' 29-23 win in Jonesboro in February. 

“We let them play their game,” said ASU head coach Blake White. “They imposed their will on us and played the game on their terms.”

The Navy Second XV and Third XV were also in action on the weekend, playing host to West Chester University at the Prusmack Rugby Center. The seconds beat WCU 37-17 and the thirds won 82-0.

—Spencer Craig (USNA), ASU Communications, plus additional reporting