ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Enough already, Keenan Reynolds thought as he took off for the end zone. He wasn't going to get tackled. He was scoring. He was breaking the record.

No. 23 Navy's star quarterback was tired of hearing about this almighty mark. He'd been asked for a long time now about overtaking former Wisconsin running back Montee Ball as college football's all-time leader in rushing touchdowns, and he just wanted to get it over with. So he did.

On first and goal from the SMU 4 on Navy's first drive, Reynolds darted for the end zone and scored the 78th rushing touchdown of his career. And then he scored three more times after that, lifting the record to 81. Reynolds amassed 218 of the Midshipmen's 484 total yards in the game.

Navy never was challenged by the Mustangs and won 55-14 to improve to 8-1 overall, 6-0 in the American Athletic Conference. Navy is off to its best start since 1963, the year Roger Staubach won the Heisman trophy as the Midshipmen's quarterback.

As soon Reynolds set the record, Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo was thrilled, but rather than jump around or celebrate, he needed to make sure the football itself was safe. He had special plans for it.

Around this same time, Reynolds' father Donald was making his way down to the sideline. And after Keenan Reynolds rushed for touchdown No. 79 on the Midshipmen's next possession, the senior quarterback presented the football to the man who taught him how to play.

Reynolds isn't an emotional guy. His roommate, defensive end Will Anthony, said he never once spoke of this feat in their room, because it's just not in his personality. Niumatalolo said when Reynolds finally achieved the goal, the quarterback stayed in the moment, because he's "detailed, meticulous, and methodical."

But when Reynolds met his father on the sideline, there was no denying the significance of the occasion.

"It was huge," Reynolds said. "He was the first person to coach me back at my granny's house, playing catch with him, teaching me how to throw the ball. To be able to give it to him, have him on the field, that was a big deal for me. It was a great moment, something I'll remember for the rest of my life.

"He just said he loved me and was proud of me."

Navy quarterback Keenan Reynolds, center, reacts after scoring a touchdown in the second half of an NCAA college football game against South Florida, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2015, in Annapolis, Md. Reynolds tied the NCAA record for career rushing touchdowns on the play. Navy won 29-17. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

Navy quarterback Keenan Reynolds, center, reacts after scoring a touchdown on Oct. 31 against South Florida in Annapolis, Md. Reynolds tied the NCAA record for career rushing touchdowns on the play. Navy won 29-17.

Photo Credit: Patrick Semansky, AP

Saturday was Senior Day, the last time Reynolds and 31 other Midshipmen seniors would play at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Reynolds had hoped to set the record last week during Navy's 45-20 romp at then unbeaten No. 13 Memphis, which is a three-hour drive from his hometown of Antioch, Tenn., but he was happy to do it in front of a home crowd and faithful alums.

And for all of the fans at the Naval Academy who prefer he do it this way.

"There's a lunch lady at King Hall and every time I see her, especially the last few weeks, she's like, 'Wait til Nov. 14 to break the record.' And every time I'm like, 'No, no, I want to get it in Memphis, you know I want to get it at home,' " Reynolds said, laughing. "And we just had a conversation for the last 6-7 weeks about when I was gonna break the record. Every time she saw me, every Monday.

"And then she started smiling at me last week. She's like, 'You're gonna get it this week, you're gonna get it this week.' She's probably gonna eat that up when I see her on Monday, talking about how right she was."

Heisman Trophy buzz could pick up around Reynolds after this performance and LSU's Leonard Fournette and TCU's Trevone Boykin possibly fading. Reynolds has rushed for three or more touchdowns in a game an NCAA-best 15 times.

But first a reward may be coming to Reynolds' offensive linemen, according to senior guard E.K. Binns. "The last time I checked it was a filet mignon buffet or something like that?" he joked.

There's no telling what the College Football Playoff selection committee will do with Navy this week. TheMidshipmen, at No. 20, are the highest-ranked Group of Five team in the Playoff selection committee top 25, but SMU is 1-9 and doesn't offer any help for a team's strength of schedule. But the Midshipmen put up 403 rushing yards, didn't turn the ball over, and scored 55 points while holding the Mustangs to 14.

Navy's only loss is to fourth-ranked Notre Dame, and the Midshipmen are poised to play for the American Athletic Conference Championship should they win upcoming road games against Tulsa and No. 24 Houston. Winning out, which also includes the annual matchup with Army on Dec. 12, could mean the Midshipmen play in a New Year's Six bowl game.

Niumatalolo refuses to look that far ahead, but can't deny the excitement around his program.

"The magnitude continues to grow," he said. "These guys know "1/8 It's kind of cool to be in this situation."

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