Navy DE Joshua Jones leaves Midshipmen
March 21st, 2012 | After Action Football Navy | Posted by Chris Kelly
The Naval Academy announced today that defensive end Joshua Jones has left the team.
Coach Ken Niumatalolo said in a statement that Jones decided to focus on finishing his graduation requirements and wished him well.
Jones appeared in nine games in 2011, recording 25 tackles and one sack.
Navy’s spring game is April 14 and the Mids open the season against Notre Dame in Dublin, Ireland, on Sept 1.
“Yes sir, Mr. President.”
December 10th, 2011 | Army-Navy game Navy | Posted by Chris Kelly
AfterAction’s Army versus Navy video preview
December 9th, 2011 | Army Army-Navy game Navy | Posted by Chris Kelly
Phil Creed and Michael Hoffman break down Saturday’s match up between the Army Midshipmen and the Army Black Knights.
Spirit Spots: Navy Edition – Part 3
December 6th, 2011 | After Action Army-Navy game | Posted by Chris Kelly
It’s time for our third installment of Navy Spirit Spot videos. Let’s do this.
Video 1: Party Rock
Backshaft productions returns again with a quality video, even though I can’t stand that song anymore. Grade: A-
Video 2: You’re gonna lose!
Classic clip from a great movie. Grade: A
Video 3: Flying goats
Cool animation, clear message. Too bad goats can’t fly. Grade: B -
Video 4: Karate Kid
Great movie, but I remember Mr. Miyagi being older. Grade: B
Army-Navy spirit spots: Go Navy edition
November 29th, 2011 | Army-Navy game Football | Posted by Chris Kelly
The Dec. 10 Army-Navy game is approaching, which means it’s Spirit Spot time. Here’s the newest ones from the sea service. Let us know in the comments which ones you like the best.
Video 1: The Allstate parody
Not a bad video, little strange, but great use of bag-pipes. Grade: B
Video 2: Dodge Challenger parody
Again, not a bad video, but having a Challenger would’ve been nice. Also, who owns the Aston Martin? Grade: B-
Video 3: Stop animation
Very creative, although pushpin violence never solves any problems. Grade: B-
Video 4: The Wobble
Nice to see a dance video again, but will “wobbling” over Army really win the game? Grade: C
Video 5: Dom at West Point
I’ve always wondered the correct pronunciation of OORAH and now I still don’t know it. Lt. Dan is also a personal hero of mine and no, Samuel L. Jackson was not a Marine. I think. Grade. B+
Video 6: Sexy and I know it
Catchy pop song, Navy Midshipmen dancing. Classic formula, decent execution. Grade: C
Video 7: Be an Angel
I’m not a fan of these commercials, I always change the channel so I don’t end up in tears. But, in this case, it works. Grade: B+
Video 8: Dexter Response
For those who haven’t seen this video, the above one is a response to it. Nice response to a strange video: Grade: A
What’s next for the Military Bowl and Sgt. Stripes?
November 23rd, 2011 | Football Navy | Posted by Chris Kelly
With a 27-24 road loss to San Jose State this past Saturday, Navy (4-7) will miss a bowl for the first time since 2002, former coach Paul Johnson’s first year at the Academy. The Mids will close out the 2011 season at the traditional Army-Navy game on Dec. 10 at Fedex Field in Landover, Md.
While this news is disheartening for Midshipman fans, it’s also a blow for the Military Bowl. As shown in the top image above, the organizers originally had Navy playing an ACC opponent. Now the website has nothing at the top of the page about who will be playing.
Based on the Military Bowl Twitter account, they’re still looking at an ACC squad. But that team (likely N.C. State if they can beat Maryland this weekend) will be facing remains to be decided.
The Washington Post’s Gene Wang examined the Military Bowl’s predicament Tuesday, and from the sounds of things, Navy’s loss has thrown organizers into a scramble.
“The ACC side should become crystal clear after this weekend,” Steve Beck, president and executive director of the Military Bowl, told the Post. “But there’s still the process with the championship game involved and then the selections, so each bowl will be able to choose going down the list. Theoretically if N.C. State wins, we’ll have that final selection.”
As far as Sgt. Stripes goes, we hope he’ll still be providing gameday coverage December 28 at RFK stadium.
Meet Sgt Stripes, the new Military Bowl mascot
October 27th, 2011 | After Action | Posted by Chris Kelly
Not sure how we missed this, but last week the Military Bowl announced a new mascot thing (H/T DC Sports Bog).
Sgt Stripes is the “Official SpokesBall” of the bowl. He’ll be tweeting from now until the game and then during it too.
Service academies draw interest from Big East
October 27th, 2011 | After Action Air Force Navy | Posted by Chris Kelly
According to an AP story, Air Force met with Big East leaders yesterday who pitched joining the conference. It was mainly informational, with no official invite given to the Falcons just yet.
From the story:
“The Big East did give us a lot to think about,” [Academy spokesman David] Cannon told The Associated Press in a phone interview. “The decision will be in large part based on what’s best for the cadet athletes, the Air Force Academy as an institution and the bigger Air Force.”
With news of West Virginia possibly jumping ship to the Big 12, the Big East is looking at all its options, including rumors of adding Navy.
Interestingly, Bill Wagner over at the Navy Sports Blog pointed out the results of a poll posted on GoMids.com. When asked if Navy should join the Big East, 132 voters said yes and 49 said no.
According to a Fox Sports report, a source said the conference would be looking to woo Army if it can bring Navy and Air Force into the conference.
Army has so far opted to remain independent. but the national exposure may prove too great to turn down.
Navy fullback Teich will not play against Southern Miss.
October 7th, 2011 | After Action | Posted by Chris Kelly
Senior fullback Alexander Teich is one of the most potent weapons the Naval Academy has on offense. Unfortunately, they’ll be without him for their upcoming game against Southern Mississippi. Bill Wagner at the Annapolis Capital reported after practice Thursday that he will not play against the Golden Eagles, but noted that he is not suspended. Here’s a quote from Niumatalolo on the situation, via The Capital:
“I’m not sure what the situation is with Alex right now. Just from the standpoint, he’s not here at practice,” Niumatalolo said. “There’s some things that Alex needs to take care of. To make sure he’s conforming with who we are as a program and as a school. We’ll see where that goes.”
A short while later, Wagner posted an account of what happened after the Air Force game that may have led to Teich’s benching.
The offensive captain walked off the field during the playing of Air Force alma mater, while his teammates stood at attention, which is standard practice for every game between the two service academies.
It’s still unclear if this is related to the Coach Niumatalolo’s decision regarding Teich, but it appears many in attendance felt the impact of Teich leaving the field. Many Naval Academy alums have expressed disappointment in the football team’s senior captain disrespecting a time honored service academy tradition.
Here’s a link to GoMidshipmen forum on Scout.com that has fans opinions on the situation.
Senior Delvin Diggs will start against Southern Miss at fullback.
Not wanting to go Solo, Army captain Hopes for a date
July 19th, 2011 | Army Soccer | Posted by Chris Kelly
If you haven’t been following all the invites from the Marine Corps, it’s becoming a bit of a trend to ask out a celebrity on YouTube. Now the Army is getting into it.
Meet U.S. Army Capt. Nassar Jabour. He would like U.S. Women’s National Team goalie Hope Solo to join him in Vienna, Austria for his officer’s ball in January. The video itself is a bit out-dated because it was filmed before the U.S. lost to Japan on Sunday, but he wishes the team luck before the biggest game of their careers.
No word on whether Solo has accepted or even heard about his invitation. Since the Women’s World Cup began, there’s been an onslaught of reports about Solo’s dating status, but hopefully Capt. Jabour will hear something soon.