As the game draws closer, fans are engaged in spirited taunting, posting spirited videos online, including footage of how each academy's students may or may not have absconded with each other's mascots this year.
Both teams have been practicing for the game for about two weeks, and the players said getting the win is the main goal.
Army defensive end and senior Robert Kough said his team is ready for Navy.
"This team, more than any team I've been a part of, wants this victory," he said. "It's the biggest sporting event I've ever been a part of -- the emotion, the passion when you get on the field. I know what it's like to be a part of a team that wants to win that game so desperately. It's a huge emotional battle. I'm really looking forward to it."
ACTIVE-DUTY COMMITMENT AWAITS
As the players for both teams have known since they arrived at their respective academies, a tryout for the National Football League or a job in the civilian world is not going to follow their collegiate football careers. In most cases, they face a five-year commitment to active duty.
Richard Glover, an Army defensive lineman and senior, will be a field artillery officer.
"Ever since my recruiting visit and during my time here, I've been drawn toward the loud booms of the big guns," he said. "It really means a lot to me that I'm going to represent the armed forces in my future profession and lead the sons and daughters of America."
Kough will be assigned to the Army Corps of Engineers, and he hopes to be a combat engineer.
"Most of my schooling revolved around being an engineer, and I wasn't sure if I would get that opportunity," he said, "but I kept working..."
FOOTBALL RIVALRY BEGAN IN 1890
While the seniors have their careers planned out, their minds are still on gaining their final "W" of the season in what often is called "America's Game." The Army-Navy Game rivalry began in 1890, Army's inaugural football season, when the midshipmen issued a challenge to the cadets. Dennis Mahan Michie accepted, and the rivalry was born.
Navy had been playing football since 1879, minus 1880 and 1881, when they didn't field a team. Navy took a 24-0 victory over the Army in the inaugural contest.
Until the 2002 contest, the record of wins and losses between the two teams was roughly even. Since then, Navy has taken the last 12 games in the series.
This year Army goes into the game with a record of 4-7 following a 42-31 victory over Fordham, Nov. 22. Navy has a record of 6-5.
GAME PREVIEW
Army is among the nation's leaders in rushing, averaging 305.5 yards per game. The Black Knights have scored 33 touchdowns running and three on passes this year.
Larry Dixon leads Army in rushing, averaging 94 yards per game, while quarterback Angel Santiago is averaging 72 yards per game on the ground. He has connected on 35 of 68 passes this year. Quarterback A.J. Schurr has run for 293 yards and three touchdowns.
On the defense, Jeremy Timpf leads the team with 102 tackles and Josh Jenkins has 60 tackles. Jenkins also has snagged four interceptions, while Chris Carnegie and Timpf have three interceptions each. Stephen Ricciardi was able to make eight tackles for losses, and Andrew King has made four quarterback sacks.
Navy comes into Satuday's game actually leading the nation in rushing, averaging 357.8 yards per contest. Naval Academy quarterback Keenan Reynolds has broken NCAA and Naval Academy records, and is the team's leading rusher, having run 1,082 yards for four touchdowns. He has completed 43 of 96 passes for five touchdowns, but has thrown three interceptions as well.
Traditionally played on the second Saturday in December, the Army-Navy game marks the last regular-season game of the year for both teams. The kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET, and the game will be televised nationally by CBS.
http://www.army.mil/article/139843/Academy_teams_prepare_for_Army_Navy_football_rivalry/
By Shannon Collins, DOD News Features
No comments:
Post a Comment