ANNAPOLIS, Md. — How appropriate that Keenan Reynolds’ final touchdown at Navy thrust him into the NCAA record book and secured a milestone victory.

Reynolds wrapped up his record-setting college career in spectacular fashion, running for three scores and throwing for another Monday to lead Navy past Pittsburgh 44-28 in the Military Bowl.

After the Midshipmen let a 24-point cushion dwindle to 38-28, Reynolds capped a nine-play drive with a 9-yard touchdown run with 4:19 remaining. It was his 88th career touchdown, breaking a tie with Kenneth Dixon of Louisiana Tech for most in Football Bowl Subdivision history.

“To be able to seal the game and get the record at the same time is pretty cool,” Reynolds said.

Reynolds ran for 144 yards on 24 carries, completed 9 of 17 passes for 126 yards and had a reception for 47 yards on a trick play.

He leaves Navy (11-2) as the FBS career leader in touchdowns and points (530). His 4,559 yards rushing are the most by a quarterback in Division I history.

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With Reynolds leading the way, the Midshipmen completed their first 11-win season in football. That, more than all his personal accomplishments, is what he said he’ll remember most.

“You play the game to win, so the record for wins is the one that means the most to me,” Reynolds said.

It was the first game for the Midshipmen since they beat Army and Coach Ken Niumatalolo decided to stay instead of taking the head coaching job at Brigham Young.

Niumatalolo was glad he stuck around for Reynolds’ finale.

“All of Keenan’s accolades are well deserved,” the coach said. “What an unbelievable career he’s had.

“Once in a generation, some of the things he’s done. We’re going to miss him.”

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Qadree Ollison rushed for 73 yards and scored two touchdowns for Pitt.

Nate Peterman threw a TD pass but was intercepted three times.

It all added up to a disappointing ending for the Panthers (8-5) in their first season under Coach Pat Narduzzi.

“Just have to keep getting one step closer,” Narduzzi said. “You just have to take one step at a time. Told the seniors, they laid the foundation. We’ve done a lot of great things this year.”

But in the end, they couldn’t cope with Reynolds.

“He’s a super football player,” Narduzzi said. “Make no mistake, there were reasons he was in the (running) for the Heisman Trophy.”

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QUICK LANE BOWL

MINNESOTA 21, CENTRAL MICHIGAN 14: Quarterback Mitch Leidner ran 13 yards for a touchdown with 4:26 remaining and Minnesota (6-7) held off Central Michigan (7-6) at Detroit.

Minnesota ended a trying season on a positive note. Coach Jerry Kill retired in late October because of continued difficulty managing his epilepsy and his job. The Gophers were 5-7 after the regular season but were able to play on because not enough teams reached six wins to fill all the bowls.

All three teams that went to bowls at 5-7 – Minnesota, Nebraska and San Jose State – ended up winning them.

Central Michigan took a 14-13 lead with 11:08 remaining on a 13-yard touchdown run by Romello Ross. Minnesota responded by driving 74 yards in 13 plays.

NOTES

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UCLA: Defensive tackle Kenny Clark plans to skip his senior season to enter the NFL draft.

The 310-pound Clark made the all-Pac-12 first team this season, anchoring the Bruins’ defense with a combination of size, speed and run-stopping prowess.

PURDUE: Tim Lester was hired as the quarterbacks coach.

Lester, a former Western Michigan star, was the offensive coordinator the last two seasons at Syracuse, where he also coached quarterbacks from 2013-15.


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