Mark your calendars: Military sports 2012
January 5th, 2012 | Air Force Army Army-Navy game Basketball Football Hockey Navy | Posted by Kevin Lilley
From hoops to Olympics to football, the new year means a new sports calendar. (AP photo by Bebeto Matthews)
Not the hardest of hardcore sports fans? Saw the Orange Bowl score cross the bottom of the screen this morning and wondered out loud, “Say, Clemson’s 3-point shooters must be terrible”? Don’t want to be caught off-guard in the new year? Here are five important military sports dates to circle on your brand-new desk calendar.
1. Jan. 14, rivalry renewal: The first Army-Navy game of the new year takes place on the hardwood, with the women’s hoops teams squaring off at noon in Annapolis, followed by the men’s teams at 2:30 p.m. (both games on CBS Sports Network). Patriot League play for all four teams begins Saturday, when Army visits Bucknell and Navy travels to Lehigh. There have been few bright spots on the court for either school this year — of the four hoops teams, the Navy women hold the best record at 7-7. Bonus rivalry game: The Army ice hockey team hosts Air Force on Jan. 20 and 21, with the first game airing on CBS Sports Network at 7:30 p.m. Army is 2-9-6 entering Friday’s game against Canisius, while Air Force (10-5-2) is coming off its fourth Atlantic Hockey Association championship in five years.
2. July 27, the world is watching: Military athletes will abound at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. The Defense Department tracked 15 athletes with military affiliations in Beijing in 2008, including Army gold medalists Sgts. Walton “Glenn” Eller III (double trap) and Vincent Hancock (skeet). Shooters will get the first crack at the medal stand in London; the air rifle and air pistol finals take place the day after the opening ceremony.
3. Sept. 1, Irish eyes: From London to Dublin, as the Navy Midshipmen open the 2012 football season with the road game to end all road games — a 3,300-plus-mile trek to take on Notre Dame. A few more details are here.
4. Nov. 9, back to the (steel) beach: Nothing official from the folks at Quicken Loans, but the second edition of the Carrier Classic will be played on this date and will include the Connecticut Huskies — according to UConn, at least. Arizona is the likely opponent. Last November, North Carolina downed Michigan State 67-55 in the first-ever classic.
5. Dec. 8, brotherly love: Army-Navy football returns to Philadelphia, with the Black Knights attempting to end Navy’s 10-game win streak. The Mids are a perfect 7-0 against Army at Lincoln Financial Field, but the Black Knights’ last win did come in Philly — a 26-17, on Dec. 1, 2011, at the since-demolished Veterans Stadium. It will be the 83rd Army-Navy football game in Philadelphia, which will also host the 2013, 2015 and 2017 games; M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore is scheduled to host in 2014 and 2016. Mark your calendars accordingly.
Game of Honor: The final webisode
December 20th, 2011 | After Action Army Army-Navy game Football Navy | Posted by Kevin Lilley
The bad news: The video above is the last in a series of CBS Sports-produced “webisodes” on the Army-Navy football rivalry. Highlights include fired-up Navy senior fullback Alexander Teich giving a top-of-his-lungs pregame talk and Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jon Greenert using some of that salty language the fleet’s made famous (Actual quote: “We want to kick Army’s butt in this game.”)
The good news: If you’re tired of three-minute masterpieces, the feature-length “A Game of Honor” is right around the corner. Showtime will air the documentary (CBS has been calling it a “docu-drama“) Wednesday at 10 p.m. Eastern (9 p.m. Central).
Want to be all caught up come tomorrow? Head here for all the webisodes and some behind-the-scenes footage.
Too early to look ahead? Ireland awaits
December 14th, 2011 | Army-Navy game Football Navy | Posted by Kevin Lilley
Yes, the Army-Navy game was a classic, with the outcome in doubt well into the fourth quarter. Navy’s win streak continued, a new stadium was welcomed into the rivalry, and the end zones were left intact for Sunday’s Redskins-Patriots NFL game as part of the Redskins’ military appreciation week, which they apparently forgot to tell anyone about.
Instead of looking back, let’s look forward: In nine months, the Midshipmen will be back in the national spotlight, taking on Notre Dame. It’s another storied rivalry, but with a twist: The Irish fans in the stands will be Irish.
On Sept. 1, Navy and Notre Dame square off in Aviva Stadium in Dublin. It’ll be the second time the rivalry has crossed the Atlantic; in 1996, Notre Dame thumped the Mids 54-27 at Dublin’s Croke Park.
Missed that one? Head here to read a thorough Sports Illustrated account of the experience. Don’t want to miss this one? One option would be to go through the academy’s official travel partner, which is offering a number of tour packages to expand your Irish getaway beyond the game.
The trip could also be good news for Army fans — it’s not much of a trend, but the Mids are 0-1 in Army-Navy games in years when they play Notre Dame in Dublin. Hey, when you’ve lost 10 straight, you take what you can get.
Better news for Army fans? Forget Ireland — the Black Knights open next year in sunny San Diego, scheduled to take on San Diego State on Sept. 8 at Qualcomm Stadium.
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
Once again, CBS’s intro Army-Navy was a home run
December 13th, 2011 | Army Army-Navy game Football Navy | Posted by Phil Creed
You’ve gotta hand it to CBS — they’ve done a great job with the Army-Navy game in the past few years. From the “A Game of Honor” documentary series to hours of of pregame coverage — including showing the pregame march-ons — on CBS College Sports, Army and Navy fans get just about all they could ask for. And for the second year in a row, CBS’s pregame intro was powerful enough to make you want to run through a wall.
Last year they had former CSI star William Peterson narrate a moving tribute featuring former players, parents and active-duty service members. On Saturday, it was Gary Sinise narrating an overview of the game, its participants and its place in history. Behind Sinise was the choirs from each school singing a rendition of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.”
It’s a job well done by all involved:
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.
Deadlocked again … so what happens if …
December 10th, 2011 | After Action Army-Navy game | Posted by Kevin Lilley
Army Lt. Christopher Molaro from the 2-82 Field Artillery, 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, reacts as he watches the Army-Navy game at Camp Virginia, near Kuwait City, Kuwait. (Joe Raedle/Getty)
We’ll answer the question in advance, because somebody’s going to ask it and some die-hard college football fan is going to roll his eyes over it: “What happens if they tie?”
Short answer: Overtime. It’s never happened in the Army-Navy game. It’s only existed in big-time college ball since 1996 — a relative drop in the bucket for a century-plus-old rivalry.
For those who only watch one game a year, and it’s this one, the rules are: Each team gets a chance to score from the opponent’s 25-yard-line. If the game’s still tied, they go again. Still tied? Keep going, but no more extra points — conversion attempts only.
The last Army-Navy deadlock at the end of regulation came in 1981, a 3-3 affair in Philadelphia. They’ve tied seven times overall; if it happens today (and, really, if you thought the crowd was loud before …), it would be the first tie between the schools with both in double digits since 1948′s 21-21 deadlock, also in Philadelphia. The famous 1926 game at Chicago’s Soldier Field, in front of 110,000 fans, also ended at 21 apiece.
It’s already 21-21 with more than a quarter left to go.