January 5th, 2012 | 2012 Air Force Army Army-Navy game Basketball Dublin Football Hockey Navy Notre Dame Olympics | 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.
December 20th, 2011 | After Action Army Army-Navy game CBS Football Game of Honor Navy Showtime | Posted by Kevin Lilley
Click here to view the embedded video.
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.
December 14th, 2011 | Army-Navy game Dublin Football Navy Notre Dame | 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.
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
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:
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?
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.
The usual pageantry associated with college football’s most storied rivalry took place as usual to include the singing of both service academies’ alma maters after the game. Navy’s win meant the seventh straight Navy senior class heard their alma mater last all four years. Per tradition, the winner’s alma mater is played last before the team jumps into the stands to celebrate with their fellow students.
“To win 10 games in a row is unheard of,” said senior Navy quarterback Kriss Proctor.
Both teams entered the game on the heels of disappointing seasons, but players on both teams said a win in this game would mean this season was a success. This is the first season since 2002 that Navy will not play in a bowl game ending a streak of eight bowl bids. Army won the Armed Forces Bowl to finish last season with seven wins and heightened expectations for 2011.
Niumatalolo credited Army coach Rich Ellerson for the growth of the Army football program as Ellerson has built it up with the triple option rushing attack in much the same way Navy did.
“Those kids have bought into what they’re doing. Every time we play them from now on, the games are going to be battles,” Niumatalolo said.
Army junior quarterback Trent Steelman led a young Black Knight squad scoring touchdowns on three straight drives just when it appeared the tenth straight Army-Navy would be a blowout.
Keeping the game close, though, is no longer good enough for the Army players who are tired of hearing the word “almost.”
“Almost doesn’t work, but it’s something I have to live with now as my legacy. It’s not a good feeling.” said senior Army captain Steven Erzinger.
Both teams’ running attacks churned up more than 290 yards as the team’s combined for over 300 rushing yards at halftime. Proctor led the Midshipmen with 97 yards and two touchdowns. Teich remained steady throughout the game rushing for 93 yards and one touchdown while averaging a gaudy 5 yards per rush.
As the senior fullback ran onto the field after halftime with the score tied at 14, Teich stopped by Navy’s brigade to fire up his fellow Midshipmen. He didn’t want his class to be the one to end Navy’s winning streak.
Teich followed up his brigade pep talk by returning the second half kickoff 48 yards into Army territory. Proctor capped off a 48-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown run to give the Mids a 7-point lead.
Army didn’t go away like they had in the past nine games against Navy. On their next possession, the Black Knights marched 74-yards finishing the drive with a 25-yard touchdown pass from Steelman to slotback Malcolm Brown.
“We were clicking on both sides of the ball and complementing each other very well. Just to be in it like that and know the game is right there in your hands, it’s a tough one to swallow,” Steelman said.
Those were the last points Army scored as Navy’s defense stiffened and Army hurt themselves with untimely penalties and turnovers.
Army’s defense stopped the Midshipmen with less than two minutes to play leaving Niumatalolo with a decision of whether to go for it on fourth and inches. Navy lined up its offense even though Niumatalolo admitted after the game he would have taken a timeout had Army not jumped offsides.
“In my wildest dream I didn’t think we’d get them [to jump offside]. I was just doing that to take a chance, and fortunately we did get them [to jump],” Niumatalolo said.
The Army penalty gave Navy a first down and allowed the Midshipmen to drain all but two seconds that remained in the game essentially ending it. Niumatalolo leaped into the air next to the referee who threw the flag when he saw Army’s defense creep into the neutral zone.
Army had its chance to seize the game when Proctor fumbled and Army recovered in the third quarter immediately following Army’s third touchdown. However, the referees flagged Army for a chop block, the second of the game, forcing Army to go 25-yards for a first down. Army’s triple option attack isn’t designed for such a hole and Army punted after one of the game’s few pass attempts fell incomplete.
Navy’s offense proceeded to chew up more than nine minutes on the next drive. An 8-yard run by Teich set Navy up with a first-and-goal from Army’s 2-yard line, but Navy couldn’t punch it in. Teague kicked his first field goal of the game from 23-yards out to give Navy a lead they wouldn’t again relinquish.
Navy freshman fullback Noah Copeland forced a fumble on the following kickoff scooped up by the Midshipmen forcing Army’s defense to go right back on the field.
“Jon kicked it right where we wanted him to. I hit the guy and the ball came out. It was wonderful to make a play,” Copeland said.
Proctor and his offense had the chance to essentially end the game with a touchdown, but Army’s defense stood tall and didn’t allow the Midshipmen to gain a yard. Niumatalolo called for his kicking team despite Teague’s season long struggles and the senior kicker rewarded him by sneaking the 44-yard kick inside the right post.
“Jon Teague is an example of this team. A guy who took all the pressure and took all the criticism throughout the course of this season, but he stayed the course and he never got down on himself. And nobody on this team gave up on him. As you saw coach didn’t give up on him,” Teich said. “We were going to live and die by Jon Teague. I’m so proud of him today. Those two kicks he made today were the two biggest kicks of the entire season and that dude was ice so I’m proud of him.”
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)
December 10th, 2011 | Army-Navy game Football Navy football | Posted by Kevin Lilley
Search all you want for Jordan Drake on the Navy depth chart. Won’t find him. Check for Noah Copeland — he’s far down the fullback list. Maybe James Britton? No luck.
They’re all freshmen. They haven’t been the recipients of pre-game hype. Or any hype. But the trio’s special-teams efforts at the start of the fourth quarter helped kill Army’s momentum.
Army held Navy to a field goal after a goal-line stand, staying within three points at 24-21. The defensive stop fired the crowd up before the ensuing kickoff, which went to Army return man Scott Williams.
Briefly, anyway. Copeland, all 5-foot-10 of him, separated Williams from the ball; Drake pounced on it. Navy couldn’t capitalize on the field position, with Jon Teague kicking a 44-yarder after the Midshipmen offense stalled.
Another momentum shift to the Black Knights thanks to another defensive stop? Not a chance — Britton walloped Williams on the 13-yard line, forcing Army into a long, long drive that ended with a failed fourth-down conversion and little time left on the clock.
Often, when special teams are being discussed as keys to the game, the discussion settles in on kickers and holders. But three Navy freshman made their most of limited action.
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.
December 10th, 2011 | After Action Army-Navy football 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.
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.
December 10th, 2011 | army- nav Army-Navy game Navy Teich | Posted by Chris Kelly
December 10th, 2011 | After Action Army-Navy game Navy Teich | Posted by Kevin Lilley
President Obama, center, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, left, and Vice President Joe Biden, left of Obama, walk to 50-yard line for the coin toss at FedEx Field. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
If you’re tuning in late, a quick recap: Yes, President Obama is in attendance at FedEx Field. And no, he didn’t sign an executive order banning the forward pass.
Army tried one in the first quarter, with Trent Steelman throwing wildly to the opposite side of the field after faking a more-traditional option. Navy’s first real attempt went better, mostly because QB Kriss Proctor never bothered throwing the ball.
Proctor dropped back early in the second quarter, took his time surveying his options, then did what he’s more accustomed to doing — tucking the ball and running. Behind the right side of his offensive line — led by standout senior guard John Dowd — the senior broke free for a 32-yard scamper to the Army 23-yard-line.
Then, back to the ground. Fullback Alexander Teich rumbled around that same right side for a 10-yard score, and the extra point made it 14-0 Mids.
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.
December 10th, 2011 | After Action Army-Navy game linebackers | Posted by Kevin Lilley
Navy quarterback Kriss Proctor is stopped by Army defensive lineman Holt Zalneraitis in the first quarter. (AP photo)
The pagentary’s over. For a few hours, at least, it’s less about history and fancy new uniforms and more about job No. 1 for both teams: Stopping the option run attack.
So far, both teams have prevented big gains — the key to slowing down misdirection offenses that can create open space in a hurry. That duty falls primarily to the linebackers, the defense’s “second level,” who have to sift through the fakes and counters in a split second, find the ball and attempt to separate it from the ball carrier.
Navy senior outside linebacker Jarred Shannon introduced himself to Army QB Trent Steelman on the game’s first drive, helping force a punt. On the next series, it was Army freshman Geoffrey Bacon’s turn — the middle linebacker wasn’t fooled by a Navy counter play to Gee Gee Greene, leading to one of the biggest hits of the game so far.
The option attacks from Army and Navy aren’t identical, but both sides will test the strength (and the reaction time) of the opposing linebacking corps.
Army’s defense broke first, with Navy’s Kriss Proctor running over a defensive back to reach paydirt. Plenty of game left.
December 10th, 2011 | Army-Navy game | Posted by Phil Creed
Midshipmen fill the field during the march-on before the Army-Navy Football game on Dec. 10 (Alan Lessig/Staff)
Stay with us throughout the afternoon as we bring you updates from the Army-Navy game here in Landover, Md. The president and vice president are in the house, and it’s a beautiful sunny afternoon here in the town once known as Raljon.
Army has won the toss and will receive. We’ll check back with you later.
December 9th, 2011 | Army-Navy game geniuses picks | Posted by Phil Creed
The wise folks in Las Vegas have the Midshipmen winning this game once again, but the fearless journalists here at Gannett Government Media aren’t so sure. An informal poll of our staff experts was split 50-50. See below for the logic behind the picks:
(The person who comes closest to the actual final score will dress up in a cheerleader outfit on Monday.)
Kate Brannen, reporter for Defense News
Pick: Army
Why: I love an underdog. I hope Army breaks its losing streak tomorrow and wins. I bet it’s going to be a tight game.
Score: Army 21, Navy 17
Philip Creed, Web editor
Pick: Navy
Why: This rivalry will survive if Army loses again, but it sure would pep things up if the Cadets can steal one Saturday. Unfortunately, the Black Knights are atrocious on the road, and the lynchpin of their offense — quarterback Trent Steelman — is coming off of multiple injuries.
Army was 3-1 this season at Michie Stadium (and had bowl-bound San Diego State on the ropes in the one loss) but were a putrid 0-7 on the road or in neutral locations. Only one of those losses — a 35-28 defeat to Miami (Ohio) — was even close. For whatever reason, this team doesn’t travel well, and there’s no reason to believe that will change this week.
Score: Navy 27, Army 13
Michael Hoffman, procrastinator for Defense News
Pick: Army
Why: This is West Point’s year. Junior quarterback Trent Steelman used the past three weeks to recover from the injuries that have plagued his season, and he’ll lead Army to its first win over Navy since 2001.
Score: Army 21 Navy 14
Chris Kelly, Web producer
Pick: Navy
Why: As much as I’d like to pick Army, I can’t for one reason. Fullback Alexander Teich. It’s his final game in a Navy uniform and he’ll be motivated to go out on top. On the season, he has 793 yards on 168 carries, which is second on the team behind Kriss Proctor (938 yards). Teich rushed for only 69 yards in Mids final loss at San Jose State, but I see him bouncing back and having one hell of a performance before heading off to become a SEAL.
Army is coming off three straight losses, including a 42-14 loss at Temple. Quarterback Trent Steelman looks to start, but has faced injuries all season. With his status in question, Army’s offense losses a good deal of experience at the most crucial position.
Final score: Navy 24, Army 10
Kevin Lilley, copy chief for Navy Times
Pick: Navy
Why: Nobody likes to play these things down the middle, but it’s fair to say that Army’s top-ranked rush offense and Navy’s fourth-ranked rush offense are practically identical, from a statistical standpoint (5.59 yards per carry vs. 5.50 ypc). Both teams are going to run. Both teams are going to try to stop the run. It should be a dead heat on the ground.
That means sombody’s gonna have to pass. And Navy’s got the slight edge with a healthy quarterback in Kriss Proctor (Army’s Trent Steelman should be near 100 percent, but it’s uncertain how “near”) and three players — Gee Gee Green, Matt Aiken and Brandon Turner — who’ve at least cracked double digits in receiving. Army has zero.
Final score: Navy, 31-28
Sean Smyth, Web editor
Pick: Army
Why: Why? It’s time, friends, it’s business time.
Final score: Army, 14-10
Blair Tomlinson, Web producer
Pick: I’m picking Army!
Why: The Black Knights aren’t going to let the Midshipmen have a decade of victory, hopefully. They’ll have to rely on their run game to get into the endzone.
Truthfully, that is the extent of my knowledge, my pick is based mostly on the fact that my father served in the Army – so GO ARMY BEAT NAVY!!!
Final score: 35-28, Army.
Marcus Weisgerber, reporter for Defense News
Pick: Navy
Why: As the son of a sailor, I have to go with the Midshipmen. Go Navy! Beat Army!
Score: 31-17, Navy
December 9th, 2011 | Army-Navy game | Posted by Mike Hoffman
December 9th, 2011 | Army-Navy game Army-Navy history Football Navy Navy football Slade Cutter | Posted by Kevin Lilley
Before earning six valor awards as a World War II submariner, Capt. Slade Cutter kicked a streak-ending field goal for Navy in 1934. (Navy.mil image)
Navy’s current nine-game win streak over Army is the longest for either school in the rivalry’s 111-game history. But the Midshipmen went winless in 10 games from 1922 to 1933, a span that featured two ties and two years (1928 and 1929) when no game was played.
How do you end such a drought? With a field goal by a decorated World War II submarine commander, of course.
On Dec. 1, 1934, on a wet Franklin Field in Philadelphia, Navy senior Slade Cutter lined up for a 20-yard first-quarter field goal that even the Navy coaches thought was going to be a fake, according to his obituary on the NavySports.com site. It went through, and a combination of mud and defense kept both teams scoreless the rest of the way.
A life-defining moment for a service-academy athlete of any era. But for Cutter, it was one of many: He played for legendary NFL coach Paul Brown in high school; he was a national collegiate boxing champion; he won a flute competition judged by John Philip Sousa, according to his obituary.
All that came before his World War II submarine service, which began 11 days after Pearl Harbor as the executive officer of the Pompano. Then-Lt. Cutter earned two Silver Stars for his “bravery” and “conspicuous gallantry” aboard the vessel. In late 1943, Cutter took command of the Sea Horse, which sunk 19 Japanese ships under his command, according to a Navy.mil history piece. His obituary reports 23 sinkings, with Cutter refusing to take credit for four unarmed trawlers “despite orders to shoot all enemy craft.”
Lt. Cmdr. Cutter earned four Navy Crosses for his work aboard Sea Horse. Promoted to captain after the war, he would serve as the Naval Academy’s athletic director in the late 1950s and was enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame in 1967. He died in 2005 at age 93.
So, Navy’s longest winless streak ended thanks to a field-goal kicker who’d go on to earn six valor awards under the Pacific. Your move, Black Knights.
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.
December 8th, 2011 | Army-Navy game President Obama | 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.
December 6th, 2011 | After Action Army Army-Navy game Navy Spirit Spot | Posted by Chris Kelly
It’s time for our third installment of Navy Spirit Spot videos. Let’s do this.
Video 1: Party Rock
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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!
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Classic clip from a great movie. Grade: A
Video 3: Flying goats
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Cool animation, clear message. Too bad goats can’t fly. Grade: B -
Video 4: Karate Kid
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Great movie, but I remember Mr. Miyagi being older. Grade: B
December 5th, 2011 | Army-Navy game | Posted by Mike Hoffman
West Point and Naval Academy players stand for Navy's alma mater after the 2001 game. It was the first one played after 9/11. Many of the players went on to serve in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Because at this point the NCAA doesn’t deserve the Army-Navy game.
The Bowl Championship Series proved again Sunday night to be an absolute fraudulent process highlighted by selecting Virginia Tech and Michigan for the Sugar Bowl. Really, though, this has been such a bad year for college football that the BCS has been the least of its worries. Just ask any Penn State alum. Who would have thought boosters paying for abortions and strippers for players down in Miami would become a side story by season’s end?
I’m not here to put the Army-Navy game on an extreme pedestal– I’m sure there are a few skeletons in the closet. There always are when so many corporate sponsors and so much money gets weaved into college athletics. Again, ask a Penn State alum what happens when you place a rivalry, team, or coach on too elite a pedestal. The person or team has trouble living up to expectations. But the Army-Navy game is the closest the NCAA will come.
Army-Navy had long been played the first weekend of December, sharing the day with most conferences’ championship games. Officials moved the game to the second weekend in 2009, making it the last regular season game of the year. And rightfully so. The best rivalry in sports deserves its own weekend.
Army-Navy week is upon us and what a breath of fresh air it is. The NCAA can keep the Godaddy.com Bowl or the TicketCity Bowl. The bowl season isn’t decided by wins and losses anymore. How many tickets a school can sell is what matters most. Bowl representatives, namely Sugar Bowl representatives, don’t even pretend anymore.
Forget the BCS for a weekend. If you read this blog you probably already have. Winning the Army-Navy game means more to these players, students, and alumni than any made up BCS title. Just ask any West Pointer who has had to endure nine straight losses. I’m positive a West Point alum would trade a win over Navy for any Sugar or Fiesta Bowl trophy.
Look into the eyes of the players after the game Saturday as each team lines up to listen to both service academies’ alma maters. These kids don’t play for an extra tattoo at the local parlor. They play for their teammates. They play for their school. Most importantly, the players play for their services. The disappointment is pure. And the jubilation is even more sincere.
With that, mercifully let Army-Navy Week begin. College football fans need the relief.
December 2nd, 2011 | After Action Army-Navy game Spirit Spot Spirt Spot | Posted by Mike Hoffman
FSU Thetas fire it up
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Folks we have a winner. Best spirit spot of the year goes to the Theta ladies at FSU. Fellow After Action staffer Blair might disagree, but she’s been out voted. Well done ladies. Glad to see so much patriotism down in Tallahassee. Grade A+
Fresh Prince
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Can’t say I’ve ever seen a spirit spot quite like this one. An Army and Navy guy battle for the phone number of a lady in their version of the Army-Navy game. Fresh Prince gets thrown under the bus and the Navy guy wins the day. Still befuddled on the inspiration for this one or why it was staged on a track. Grade C
Action Figure Therapy
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Similar to the previous action figure spirit spot we’d advise turning down the volume on this one if you’re at work. This sailor has some salty language. But some fine hilarity all around from a man made of plastic. Grade B+
Pump it up
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Is it me or does this spirit spot seem ripe for the parody picking up in West Point for next year’s game? Grade F
December 2nd, 2011 | Army-Navy game Spirit Spot Spirt Spot | Posted by Mike Hoffman
Operation Wide Right
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Like to see leadership getting involved. Not a West Point grad but a proud member of the Marshall Thundering Herd, kudos to Maj. Gen. Anthony Crutchfield, head of U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence, for getting involved. Would have preferred video of a helicopter flyover that has happened at previous Army-Navy games. Grade B-
Task Force Arctic Wolves
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Bill the goat is outraged. How dare those soldiers take one of his Afghan brothers and don a “Sink Navy” sweater on him. Simple and to the point deployment spot. Wonder how many of the soldiers standing behind the colonel could name one of Army’s players. They look less than enthused. Extra points for including members of the Afghan army. Grade C
Get off the boat Navy!
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Broadcaster Chris German’s facial expressions make this video one of the best of the bunch thus far. Impressed they could include some actual humor in an official spirit spot. Grade A
Belly Flop edition
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Anytime you throw a guy off a 10 meter platform you’re getting points from this guy. I’m not one with heights. First one I’ve seen where the crew did their own stunts. Granted, it’s the Army swimming and diving team’s spot so it’s probably not too out of bounds for them. But that’s a wicked belly flop. Grade A-
December 2nd, 2011 | Army-Navy game instant replay | Posted by Mike Hoffman
Click here to view the embedded video.
For those of us who groan through what seems like an unending litany of instant replays in college and NFL football games, partial blame falls on the Army-Navy game for the technology’s birth. The first ever use of instant replay occurred at the end of the 1963 broadcast of that year’s Army-Navy game won by Navy 21-15 after Army scored a touchdown.
In fact, the technology was so bewildering that it caused many viewers to think Army had scored twice to win the game. Michael Connelly wrote about it in his book The President’s Team: The 1963 Army-Navy Game and the Assasination of JFK. Wired also wrote about it last year to commemorate the 47th anniversary of the mechanism that allows analysts to test out their drawing skills and drive coaches and viewers nuts.
Of course, the referees from the 1963 game didn’t hustle over to the sideline and watch the previous play under a black hood. But the addition of instant replay to the CBS broadcast paved the way for it to be incorporated in future broadcasts putting the pressure on the NFL and other professional sports to allow their referees to see what the rest of the viewing audience could. The previous logic doesn’t apply to FIFA officials who’d prefer their refs look like buffoons.
You can be sure instant replay will be used both on the field and during this year’s Army-Navy broadcast Dec. 10. Instant replay played a key role in last year’s game when replay showed that Army quarterback Trent Steelman had not crossed the goal line and fumbled the ball to Navy safety Wyatt Middleton who ran the ball back for a Navy touchdown. The touchdown return squashed any hopes of an Army upset.
December 1st, 2011 | Army Army-Navy game Football Navy rivalry Steelman | Posted by Kevin Lilley
Army linebacker Steve Erzinger chats with Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo during Wednesday's Army-Navy game luncheon. (AP photo by Evan Vucci)
Sure, the game’s more than a week away, but the trash talking has started on both sides and will be in full effect well before kickoff. It’s not always a good idea to let facts get in the way of a good rivalry game, but for those curious, here’s four quick hits:
1. QB question: Army’s official depth chart lends no hits on the health of junior quarterback Trent Steelman, who injured his knee in a 42-14 loss at Temple on Nov. 19. Steelman shares top billing with freshman Angel Santiago, who’s played in four games this season and completed 7 out of 21 pass attempts.
2. Down time: The three-week break between games for both teams is a relatively new twist. In 2009, as conference championship games solidified their takeover of the first weekend of December, the Army-Navy showdown migrated to the second week. It’s the only Football Bowl Subdivision game in town on Dec. 10. Navy’s 2-0 under the new arrangement, but the two other times games were played late were Army victories: A 6-0 win on Dec. 13, 1930, and a 17-7 win on Dec. 12, 1931. Both were at Yankee Stadium, and both were played for charity at the request of President Herbert Hoover (history buffs, go here for more on presidential involvement in the rivalry).
3. First-strike capability: The first of many potentially meaningless statistics — Navy is 4-0 this season when leading after the first quarter, but is 0-4 when trailing. Unfortunately for Army fans, the Black Knights have allowed four opponents to score in the first two minutes of play this year. Army went 1-3 in those games, but did rally for 45 straight points to beat Tulane 45-6.
4. Beyond the game: Joseph White of The Associated Press probably got the quote of the day from Wednesday’s Army-Navy luncheon, as Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo offered a 40-word piece of perspective. From the article:
Yeah, the education is second to none, there’s great career opportunities and being able to provide for your families, but there’s also a chance they might have to pay the ultimate sacrifice. They’ll be in harm’s way — that’s a reality.”
November 30th, 2011 | Army Army-Navy game Football Go Army Beat Navy Spirit Spot | Posted by Blair Tomlinson
‘Tis the season for the Army-Navy game. So to help you get in the spirit we’ve gathered a few “Go Army, Beat Navy” spirit spots.
We’ll debut the blog post with one of those comedic Action Figure Therapy spots. “Jungle” spouts off his top five reasons why Army will beat Navy in the upcoming bout. My personal favorite is number four, check them out.
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Grade: B
Apparently therapy is a popular spirit spot subject this year for Army fans. Air Defense Artillery out of Fort Sill, Oklahoma is channeling the recent Geico commercial featuring R. Lee Ermey. Warning, a harsh tone is used at the beginning of this one, so turn the volume down.
Click here to view the embedded video.
Grade: C
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Afghanistan Engineer District North group picked the Saturday Night Fever song Staying Alive for it’s theme music, however, the midshipmen’s mascot will NOT be staying alive in this one.
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Grade: B+
This spot is a tad long, but check out around the 4-minute mark for some hilarious paranormal activity and the 6-minute mark for an epic dance solo.
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Grade: C
Not your typical Afghanistan raid in this video, but it could be one of the first spots featuring the Afghan National Army.
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Grade: B
Know of any other good spirit spots out there? Leave a comment below.
November 29th, 2011 | Army-Navy game Football Go Navy Beat Army Spirit Spot | 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
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Not a bad video, little strange, but great use of bag-pipes. Grade: B
Video 2: Dodge Challenger parody
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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
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Very creative, although pushpin violence never solves any problems. Grade: B-
Video 4: The Wobble
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Nice to see a dance video again, but will “wobbling” over Army really win the game? Grade: C
Video 5: Dom at West Point
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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
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Catchy pop song, Navy Midshipmen dancing. Classic formula, decent execution. Grade: C
Video 7: Be an Angel
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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
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For those who haven’t seen this video, the above one is a response to it. Nice response to a strange video: Grade: A
