Coach Ken Niumatalolo announced a few weeks ago that Malcom Perry would become Navy’s starting quarterback effective immediately. Niumatalolo added that he would decide during the offseason what to do with former starter Zach Abey.

The Midshipmen may have discovered during Thursday’s Military Bowl that it would be wise for Abey to remain at quarterback, serving as a short-yardage specialist and insurance in case Perry got hurt.

Perry showed why he was elevated to the starting role by rushing for 114 yards and two touchdowns in just over one half of work against Virginia. However, Abey proved he could still serve a valuable role by periodically replacing Perry in goal-line situations as the Midshipmen routed the Cavaliers, 49-7, in sub-freezing temperatures before an announced crowd of 35,921 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.

“I’m just really proud of our seniors being able to go out with a win against a really good Virginia team,” Niumatalolo said. “That’s the best we’ve played all year. We put it together on both sides of the ball. I’m grateful that we were able to end on a great note.”

Niumatalolo was happy to have an experienced quarterback available after Perry suffered a foot injury early in the second half. Abey took over and kept the offense rolling as Navy (7-6) was crowned Military Bowl champions for the second time in three years.

With Perry at the controls, Navy’s triple-option offense clicked for 452 rushing yards. Abey finished with 88 yards and a Military Bowl-record five rushing touchdowns for the Midshipmen, who scored 49 unanswered points to turn the game into a rout.

“I feel we played the way we practiced all week. We really got after it going into this game and I feel that really helped us. We finally put a full game together,” Perry said. “We just did what we were supposed to do. We came off the ball hard up front. Guys who carried the ball were running physical. I just think we played Navy football today.”

Perry, who came into the post-game press conference moving gingerly while using crutches, said his ankle “got rolled up on pretty good.” However, the youngster did not feel the injury was serious and said “I should be back soon.”

Abey was used in short-yardage situations before Perry got injured then directed four additional touchdown drives after the sophomore was sidelined. Niumatalolo credited offensive coordinator Ivin Jasper for finding a way to utilize the strengths of Abey and Perry.

“I thought Ivin did a masterful job of using both quarterbacks,” Niumatalolo said. “Malcolm is just phenomenal. He brings a new dimension to our offense. To Zach’s credit, he came in and played really, really well, too. Ivin did a good job of preparing them both.”

There had been speculation that Navy might move Abey to fullback in order to take advantage of his powerful running ability. However, the thunder and lightning show the two quarterbacks put on Thursday now has Niumatalolo leaning to keeping the Pasadena resident at his present position.

“Just what you saw today is what you’re going to see next season,” he said. “They’re both really good football players and we’re going to find a way to use them both.”

Abey (Archbishop Spalding) finished the season with 1,413 rushing yards — the second-highest, single-season total in program history behind legendary tailback Napoleon McCallum (1,587 in 1983).

“I don’t mind. I told the coach I’d do anything — I’ll play quarterback, receiver, fullback. At the end of the day I just want the team to be in the best position to win football games,” Abey said. “If the coaches think we need to have a two quarterback system, that’s fine with me.”

Abey, who was named the game’s Most Valuable Player, believes having quarterbacks with opposing skill sets could help the Midshipmen moving forward.

“I think it’s obvious that we’re two different style quarterbacks,” he said. “Obviously, Malcolm is more of an outside runner – he’s got the speed, he’s got the quickness. I’m more of an inside runner, a between the tackles type of runner.”

Senior fullback Chris High contributed 101 rushing yards as Navy avoided just its second losing season since 2003. Senior slotback Josh Brown and junior fullback Anthony Gargiulo added 47 and 40 yards for the Midshipmen, who did not complete a pass.

“Congratulations to Coach Niumatalolo and the Naval Academy. They played an exceptional game today,” Virginia coach Bronco Mendenhall said. “I think they performed well in all phases — offense, defense and special teams. Coach Niumatalolo had his team well prepared and they played at a high level.”

It was a positive finish to an otherwise disappointing season for Navy, which lost six of its last seven regular-season games. Given another opportunity to play on their home field, the Midshipmen sent the seniors out victorious.

“That was as decisive a win as we’ve had in a long, long time. To be able to do that against an ACC team is very rewarding,” Niumatalolo said. “That was a huge game for our program. We knew that coming in. To me, a momentum-changing game for our program.”

Things started ominously as sophomore speedster Joe Reed returned the opening kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown to give Virginia a lightning-quick 7-0 lead. It was reminiscent of the 2015 Military Bowl when Pittsburgh’s Quadree Henderson returned the opening kickoff 100 yards against Navy.

That play proved to be one of the few highlights for the Cavaliers.

“I believe players play as they’re prepared and so clearly I didn’t have our team prepared to perform to their potential,” Mendenhall said.

Perry scored on runs of 19 and 22 yards while Abey added a pair of 1-yard touchdown dives as Navy took a commanding 28-7 halftime lead. It appeared the visitors might have an opportunity to come back after Perry left the game for good after apparently turning his ankle during the opening possession of the third period.

However, Virginia senior Daniel Hamm fumbled the ensuing punt and Navy linebacker Elan Nash recovered the loose pigskin at the 11-yard line. Moments later, Abey powered into the end zone from 5 yards out to increase the Navy advantage to 35-7.

Abey put the final nail in the coffin with a 20-yard scoring scamper with 1:57 remaining in the third quarter. The Pasadena resident set up his fourth touchdown by breaking an option keeper for a 39-yard gain into enemy territory.

Virginia’s offense was unable to mount a sustained drive as starting quarterback Kurt Benkert had a rare off day, completing just 15 of 35 passes for 145 yards.

bwagner@capgaznews.com

twitter.com/BWagner_CapGaz