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Xavier Arline and Navy pulled off a big upset victory over UCF on Saturday.
Arline, a Wading River native, started at quarterback and led the Midshipmen to a 17-14 victory at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando.
How big was the upset? UCF was the No. 17 ranked team in the country. Navy was unranked — and still is. This led to Navy being a big betting underdog at +550 odds entering the game, according to Caesars Sportsbook.
The Midshipmen defeated UCF by pounding the rock.
Arline only passed once in the victory — and it was an incompletion. His team rushed 63 times for 248 yards and two touchdowns.
The Shoreham-Wading River High School alum got the first score of the game on a one-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter.
Arline finished the day with 24 rushing yards. Fullback Daba Fofana had a big day on the ground adding 114 yards.
“It’s a huge moment for Navy football in general,” said Arline after the victory, “just to prove to others an ourselves of what we are capable of and everything we’ve worked for.”
Navy is now 4-7 on the year. Their last game of the season is their traditional rival match against Army, which is set for Dec. 10.
Arline — a junior who also plays lacrosse at Navy — has 274 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns this season.
Top: Navy quarterback Xavier Arline, left, scrambles past Central Florida defensive tackle Anthony Montalvo (94) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
