Symons Sinks Navy

B.J. Symons did what he has done all season, bum knee and all.

Symons completed the most prolific passing season in Division I-A history by throwing for 497 yards and four touchdowns to lead Texas Tech to a 38-14 victory over Navy in the Houston Bowl on Tuesday, then said afterward he has been playing despite a torn ligament in his left knee for more than two months.

Neither he nor the school ever had revealed how badly Symons hurt himself Oct. 11 while jumping to celebrate a touchdown pass to teammate Wes Welker. After finishing his career by extending his single-season passing record to 5,833 yards, he told reporters he will undergo reconstructive surgery on his anterior cruciate ligament next Tuesday.

“I think I’ve got a lot of football left in me,” Symons said, referring to April’s NFL draft.

Texas Tech (8-5), which beat Clemson in last year’s Tangerine Bowl, has its first bowl victories in successive years.

“I had a lot of people tell me I shouldn’t play in this game,” said Symons, who capped his only year as the starter with the victory in his hometown. “But this was the only season I had, and I wanted to take advantage of every opportunity.”

It was a remarkable turnaround season for Navy (8-5), which won only three games the previous three years. Quarterback Craig Candeto ran for 90 yards and two touchdowns.

“We should be proud of where we are right now,” Candeto said. “Obviously we’re disappointed with the loss, and all the guys have their heads down, but when we reflect on the season we have a lot to be proud of.”

The game ended with a scare when two players collided with back judge David Lambros, who was jolted backward and bounced off the grass. He lay motionless for a few minutes but was able to get up and did not appear to be seriously hurt.