Gutierrez runs for 232 yards as Navy rallies past Tulsa, 34-26

Jackson Gutierrez carried Navy's offense 41 times Saturday, and the Midshipmen kept turning to him as they chased Tulsa. The quarterback rushed for 232 yards and three touchdowns, threw another scoring pass and led Navy to a 34-26 comeback victory in Annapolis.

Navy improved to 2-3 overall and 1-2 in the American Conference after trailing 20-7 late in the first half and 26-14 in the third quarter. Tulsa fell to 3-3 and 0-2 after the Midshipmen scored the final 20 points and held the Golden Hurricane without a fourth-quarter score.

Gutierrez gave Navy its first lead since the opening quarter with a 4-yard touchdown run at the 8:30 mark of the fourth. That made it 27-26. Tulsa went three-and-out on its next possession, and Navy used the opening to begin a drive that consumed most of the remaining clock.

The Midshipmen covered 82 yards in 13 plays over 6:16. Gutierrez finished from the 3 with 1:10 remaining, extending the margin to eight. Tulsa advanced the ball on its last possession but turned it over on downs, allowing Navy to end the game with the lead intact.

Navy rushed for 386 yards and gained 481 overall. Michael Barrow added 107 yards on 14 carries, giving the Midshipmen a second substantial rushing threat alongside Gutierrez. Navy converted eight of 11 third downs, an efficiency that helped its running game keep possessions alive even when Tulsa knew where the emphasis would be.

Gutierrez had opened the scoring with a 56-yard touchdown run. Tulsa answered with 20 consecutive points, including Sevion Morrison's short rushing touchdown, Oran Singleton Jr.'s 10-yard touchdown pass to David Wells Jr. and two Owen Carey field goals. That stretch put Navy 13 points behind before its offense responded late in the half.

Gutierrez connected with Truman Brasfield for a 58-yard touchdown with 17 seconds left before halftime, cutting the margin to 20-14. He completed five of seven passes for 95 yards, a touchdown and an interception, making the long scoring throw a significant part of his limited passing workload.

Baylor Hayes found Singleton for a 3-yard touchdown early in the third quarter to restore Tulsa's double-digit advantage. Charles Robinson's 7-yard touchdown run then finished a 10-play, 75-yard Navy possession, bringing the Midshipmen within six points before Gutierrez's two fourth-quarter scores.

Hayes completed 21 of 38 passes for 268 yards and a touchdown. Singleton caught five passes for 81 yards while also throwing his scoring pass, and Javon Ross caught seven for 90 yards. Tulsa produced 278 passing yards but could not match Navy's ability to extend late possessions on the ground.

Navy visits UTSA next Saturday. Tulsa travels to Rice after a game that shifted through three long Navy touchdown drives in the second half, the last leaving the Golden Hurricane just over a minute to answer.