Air Force releases Military Bowl practice schedule
December 14th, 2011 | Air Force | Posted by Mike Hoffman
Air Force's football team will open its practices to the public prior to the Military Bowl in Washington D.C. Air Force will practice at St John’s College High School. (AP photo)
Live in the Washington D.C. region and want to watch the Air Force Falcons up close?
Air Force coach Troy Calhoun keeps his team’s practices open to the public and with the team playing in this year’s Military Bowl, Calhoun will relocate Air Force’s practices to D.C. for four days starting Dec. 23. The team will use the fields at St John’s College High School, which is on the D.C.-Maryland border by Chevy Chase.
Calhoun’s policy of keeping practice open to the public flies in the face of most NCAA coaches, who close practice for fear of other teams sending scouts. Yet somehow Calhoun keeps winning games.
Maryland football coach Randy Edsall, whose team practices down the road from St. John’s, keeps his practice closed. His team won only two games this season. Calhoun might be on to something. Take note, Edsall.
Practice schedule:
Friday, Dec. 23, 3:15 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 24, 2:45 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 25, 12:15 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 26, 12:00 p.m.
Wind gusts canceled Army-Navy parachute jump
December 13th, 2011 | After Action Army-Navy game | Posted by Mike Hoffman
U.S. Army Parachute Team members, Sgt. 1st Class John Berentis, from Yuma, Ariz., and Staff Sgt. Laura Dickmeyer, from Abilene, Texas, assess the wind conditions aloft prior to their pre-game jump into FedEx field for the Army vs. Navy game. This is the first time in the game’s 120-year history that the teams have played in the DC region. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Clifford L. H. Davis
For those who thought they might have gotten into FedEx Field too late and missed the Army Golden Knights and Navy Leap Frogs parachute teams deliver the game ball, you can’t blame the long security lines for that too.
High winds forced both parachute teams to stay in the plane forcing some ball boy to have to walk the game ball out to midfield instead. A real letdown for all involved, even probably said ball boy. But, hey, at least we get to check out these shots taken by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Meagan E. Klein and Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Clifford L. H. Davis.
The photos were first posted on the Navy Leap Frogs’ Facebook page. We don’t get to say this as often as we should, but well done Navy public affairs team.
As Army and Navy fans take their seats at FedEx Field, the Army and Navy parachute demonstration teams, the Golden Knights and the Leap Frogs, fly overhead in preparation for their pregame jump into the stadium. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Meagan E. Klein
Army-Navy Winners and Losers
December 12th, 2011 | Army-Navy game | Posted by Mike Hoffman
Navy's John Dowd (68), Brian Blick (5), and Max Blue (44) carry the flags onto the field before the start of the Army-Navy Game at FedEx Field on Dec. 10. (Rob Carr / Getty Images)
Hard to find too many losers in what was easily the best Army-Navy game of the past decade. But thus is life. There are those who fall into the winners section of a gimmicky sports blog post. And then there are those branded as losers, usually unjustifiably. So here it goes.
Winners
Jon Teague – What a story of redemption. Navy’s senior kicker got to make amends after struggling through a tough season that included having to kick for his job half through the year. He drilled his first 23-yard kick and then squeezed a 44-yard field goal inside the right upright. Both kicks proved the winning points for Navy. If Teague misses the second, Army could have attempted a long field goal instead of going for it on fourth down on their final drive. Teague’s performance left his coach in tears during the press conference.
Alexander Teich – All season Navy’s fullback pleaded with coach Ken Niumatalolo to return a kick. He got his wish Saturday on the second half kickoff. Teich took the kick 48 yards into Army territory, setting up Navy’s only touchdown of the half. The burly senior also rushed for 93 yards and a touchdown.
Rich Ellerson – Army’s coach has built up West Point’s football program to where Navy doesn’t expect a cake walk anymore. Niumatalolo said this year’s game felt different. What he was insinuating was this year wasn’t a gimme. You could see it in the Navy players’ faces after the game. Teich and the rest of the seniors worried they could have been the senior class to give up the streak.
Ken Niumatalolo – If you are going to give Ellerson credit, then you have to give Navy’s coach equal ink. Since taking over for former coach Paul Johnson, Niumatalolo suffered his first losing season this year, but he continues to win the game that means the most.
Trent Steelman – Army’s quarterback was still suffering through the injuries that have plagued him all season. He limped into the press conference after the game. He still found a way to almost lead Army to the upset. He connected with Malcolm Brown on a beautifully thrown touchdown pass to tie the game in the third quarter. Earlier, Steelman sparked Army’s rally from a 14-point deficit with a 34-yard sprint up the middle for the Black Knights’ first touchdown.
Losers
Rivalry – It’s tough to have a rivalry when one side wins ten years in a row. Sure, Army played it close, but like the Army players said after the game, “almost” isn’t good enough. The Midshipmen rubbed salt in the wound chanting “ten more years” after the final gun sounded.
FedEx Field – Predictably it was a nightmare getting into the game for those who attended. Kudos to Redskins owner Dan Snyder for getting the game to the D.C. region, but his stadium’s game operations are some of the worst in the NFL. Army-Navy patrons had to suffer through what Redskins fans do every season. Many fans said the stadium oversold the parking tickets forcing fans to drive all around the stadium to search for an open lot. Bring it back to Philly.
Jacob Drozd – The Army freshman defensive tackle was the one who jumped off sides when Navy lined up to go for it on fourth and inches late in the fourth quarter. Niumatalolo admitted after the game he didn’t plan on hiking the ball and instead call a timeout. Tough one to stomach for the freshman.
Scott Williams – Army’s young kick returner can’t afford to lose a fumble late in the fourth quarter on a kickoff, especially after Navy had capped off a nine-minute drive with a field goal. Lucky for him the Army defense stood tall and only yielded a field goal.
Service parachute teams – Where were you guys? The delivery of the game ball by the Army Golden Knights or the Navy Leap Frogs is one of my favorite parts of the pregame festivities. I arrived in the press box at 12:30 p.m. Did I miss it?
Navy leans on senior kicker to win 10th straight over Army
December 10th, 2011 | Army-Navy game | Posted by Mike Hoffman
Navy center Brady DeMell shakes hands with kicker Jon Teague after he kicked one of his two fourth-quarter field goals. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
LANDOVER, Md. — Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo almost lost faith in his kicker Jon Teague eight games into what proved to be a disappointing season for the Midshipmen. He stuck with his senior, even though he had held a kicking competition in practice Oct. 31 between Teague and the team’s three other kickers on the roster.
Niumatalolo said he’s glad he stuck with Teague after the senior kicked two clutch field goals, including a 44-yarder, to beat Army 27-21 for Navy’s unprecedented 10th straight victory against Army in the 112th meeting of the two service academies.
Tears dripped down Niumatalolo’s cheeks when reporters asked him after the game about the struggles Teague had earlier in the season.
“It’s just a game. Some of the things that were said about that kid … some personal things that were said about him. These are just college students playing football. Some people said some things like he had committed a crime,” Niumatalolo said. “It couldn’t have ended better for someone like Jon who had to persevere through so much criticism.”
Navy’s seniors echoed their coach’s support. Senior fullback Alexander Teich said Teague perfectly represented their team this season. Although they struggled through a 6-game losing streak, Navy’s seniors fought off an improved Army team to win the most important game of the year for either team.
President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden joined Defense Secretary Leon Panetta in what proved to be the rivalry’s best game of the past ten years. An announced crowd of 80,789 at FedEx Field joined the president for the first Army-Navy game to be played in the Washington D.C. region.
Final: Navy 27 Army 21
December 10th, 2011 | Army-Navy game | Posted by Mike Hoffman
Navy quarterback Kriss Proctor, center, celebrates with Midshipmen after beating Army 27-21. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
In the best Army-Navy game of the past decade, Navy held off a late push from Army to seal their 10th win in a row in the rivalry.
Navy kicker Jon Teague kicked two field goals in the fourth quarter, which proved to be the difference as Navy won 27-21.
After leading Army on drives to tie the game in the second and third quarter, Army quarterback Trent Steelman again drove the Black Knights into Navy territory late in the game. But the Mids’ defense ended the drive at the Navy 25-yard line, stopping Steelman on 4th and 7.
Navy’s offense, led by senior quarterback Kris Proctor (2 touchdowns, 97 yards rushing), then ran out the clock to clinch the win.
Following the final gun, Navy Midshipmen chanted “10 more years.” But today’s game – the closest in the series since Army’s last win in 2001 — shows coach Rich Ellerson clearly has built Army’s football program up enough to compete with their rivals. Army once again had to listen to their alma mater first, but the Cadets appear to have finally caught up with Navy.
Navy’s seniors stepped up big time for midshipmen, playing like they did not want their class to be the one who ended the streak over Army. Fullback Alexander Teich, Proctor and star defensive end Jabaree Tuani all had major contributions . Tuani paced the defense in the first half with a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and one sack. Teich started the second half with a 48-yard kickoff return, which seemed to revive Navy after Army had scored two second-quarter TDs to tie the game.
Navy offensive tackle Graham Vickers (70) and running back John Howell (33) celebrate on the field with their teammates after beating Army. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Third quarter: Navy 21 Army 21
December 10th, 2011 | Army-Navy game | Posted by Mike Hoffman
Navy stormed out of the locker room, with their seniors looking determined not to be the class to give up Navy’s history winning streak in this series. After a 48-yard kickoff return to get Navy into great field position, future Navy SEAL Alexander Teich scored a touchdown to put Navy up by 7.
The Black Knights will not go away, though. In one of the few passes attempted in the game, Army quarterback Trent Steelman connected with slotback Malcolm Brown on a 25-yard touchdown pass to tie the game.
Both offenses have since been stifled, although the third quarter ended with Navy on a promising drive. This game looks to come down to the last possession, and this must be the best Army-Navy game in the past decade. Army Coach Rich Ellerson has finally built Army’s football program up to be on equal footing with the Midshipmen.
Today’s winner might be decided by who can protect the ball the best. Both teams have struggled to avoid fumbles as Navy and Army ball carriers have each lost two fumbles. Defenders are clearly looking to strip the ball on every carry. Penalties have also plagued the Black Knights. Two chop blocks have killed drives.
Who can avoid the most mistakes in the fourth quarter will win 112th meeting.
Halftime: Army 14 Navy 14
December 10th, 2011 | Army-Navy game | Posted by Mike Hoffman
Just when it looked like Navy might pull away for its 10th-straight victory in this storied rivalry, Army quarterback Trent Steelman led a rally to tie the game at 14 heading into the second half.
Steelman scored Army’s first touchdown on a 34-yard gallop right up the middle of Navy’s defense. He ran through a Navy line that had bottled up Army’s attack led by star defensive end Jabaree Tuani.
Tuani had dictated the first half with a dominant performance causing one fumble, recovering another and tallying one sack. Once Army gained some confidence off Steelman’s touchdown, though, Navy struggled to slow the Army ground attack.
After Steelman’s touchdown, Navy was unable to move the ball and was forced to punt. Army marched right back down the field and scored another touchdown with 49 seconds left in the half on a 5-yard run by junior slotback Malcolm Brown.
Both teams have forgotten about any semblance of a throwing attack, depending on their dominant running games. Army completed the only pass of the game in the second quarter. That hasn’t slowed the offenses. Army has already rushed for 201 yards and Navy has run for 129.
Army quarterback Trent Steelman runs for a 34-yard first-half touchdown to cut Navy's lead in half at 14-7. (AP photo/Evan Vucci)
If Army wants to pull the upset and end their nine-game losing streak, it must do a better job protecting the ball. Army fumbled twice leading to both of Navy’s scores. Army can ill afford to give Navy any more advantages.
Two years ago, Army went into halftime leading Navy 3-0 only to lose 17-3. Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo made adjustments and blew Army out of the water.
First Quarter: Navy 7-0
December 10th, 2011 | Army-Navy game | Posted by Mike Hoffman
Fumbles have dictated the first quarter of play. Both coaches have kept their game plans conservative, allowing their players to work out the nerves and get a feel for the game.
On Navy’s first possession quarterback Kris Proctor had the Mids rolling until he fumbled it shortly after converting on a 4th down. Army recovered, but quickly returned the favor when star running back Raymond Maples coughed it up. Navy’s Jabaree Tuani recovered setting up the offense.
There was no mistake this time from Navy’s senior quarterback, who punched it in from four yards out to score the only points of the first quarter.
Army has shown the ability to move the ball, but they can’t afford to give the ball up to Navy if they want to break this losing streak. Army ranks 109th in the country in turnover differential.
Two Army players accomplished significant milestones in the first half. Maples eclipsed the 1,000 yard mark making him only the 15th Army rusher to do so. Junior quarterback Trent Steelman gained over 7,000 total yards in his career. He’s only the 4th Black Knight to accomplish the feat.
Guns out: Army Chief says Go Army, Beat Navy!
December 9th, 2011 | Army-Navy game | Posted by Mike Hoffman
President Obama will attend first Army-Navy game Saturday
December 8th, 2011 | Army-Navy game | Posted by Mike Hoffman
It’s official. The commander-in-chief will be at FedEx Field in Landover, Md., this Saturday to attend his first Army-Navy game as president.
Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden will join Obama at the game and take part in the festivities and traditions. Many speculated that Obama would attend last year’s game but it didn’t happen.
Obama is an admitted basketball junkie most recently attending a Towson Tigers basketball game to watch his brother-in-law coach Oregon State.
Obama’s attendance means he will take part in the tradition of crossing the field at halftime to make sure he sits with both Army and Navy officials and gives equal support.
For those attending the game, make sure to give yourself plenty of time to get into the stadium. Security will be especially tight with the big man in the building. And, speaking from experience as a Redskins season ticket holder, it already takes much longer than it should to get into the stadium. Later in the week I’ll provide some more tips of where to eat at FedEx and the best ways to get to and around the stadium.