Navy doesn’t pass the ball often. However, one of its biggest plays of the 2019 season ended up being one.

Tied with Kansas State late in the Liberty Bowl, the Midshipmen turned to a trick passing play on a fourth-and-3 from the Wildcats’ 46-yard line. And it worked to perfection.

Junior wide receiver CJ Williams completed a 41-yard pass to sophomore wide receiver Chance Warren, which set up freshman kicker Bijan Nichols’ game-winning 23-yard field goal as time expired, lifting Navy to a 20-17 victory. It was only the Midshipmen’s ninth pass attempt of the game, as they had ran the ball 54 times.

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The fact that the Midshipmen run the ball so often out of their triple-option offense is likely what deceived the Wildcats’ defense and led to Warren being open for the big play.

Navy, which was ranked No. 23 entering the game, had a great season, finishing 11-2 with its thrilling win over Kansas State. The Midshipmen’s only losses came against Memphis and Notre Dame, a pair of quality teams.

It’s the first time Navy won 12 games in program history.