Nov 1, 2003

Final Stats

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Quarterback Craig Candeto ran for 140 yards and three touchdowns in Navy's 35-17 victory over Tulane on Saturday.

Navy, ranked first in the nation in rushing offense, gained 357 yards on the ground. Candeto, who carried 18 times, scored on runs of 1, 28 and 8 yards.

Kyle Eckel added 120 yards on 26 carries, marking the second time this season two Navy runners topped 100 yards in a game.

Navy (6-3) beat Tulane for the first time since 1999. The Green Wave (3-6) lost for the fifth straight time.

Navy committed a season-high four turnovers, but its defense countered with two interceptions of Tulane quarterback J.P. Losman and a fumble recovery.

Losman completed 25 of 38 passes for 198 yards a touchdown, a 6-yard pass to Tristan Smith.

Tulane's Mewelde Moore gained more than 100 yards rushing for the fifth straight game, gaining 115 yards on 19 carries. He had 55 yards on six catches.

Roydell Williams caught 10 passes for 85 yards for the Green Wave, which had 359 yards total offense to Navy's 414.

The Mids jumped to a 14-0 first-quarter lead on the way to a 21-10 halftime lead.

Candeto capped a 68-yard drive with a 1-yard run with 8:54 left in the first quarter. He then scored on a 28-yard run with 6:10 left after Eddie Carthan's pass interception and 22-yard return gave Navy the ball at the Tulane 35.

Tulane closed to 14-7 in the second quarter on Losman's pass to Smith and drove to Navy's 5 on their next drive. On fourth down, the Wave went for a TD instead of a field goal and failed.

Navy then drove 95 yards, as Trey Hines scored from the 4 with 4:53 left in the half.

Tulane's Barrett Pepper kicked a 41-yard field goal to close the half to make it 21-10, but the Mids scored on their first two possessions of the second half to go ahead 35-10.