With a win over Navy, Cadets would end two long droughts
When Army meets Navy in football, no further incentive is required.
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Just the same, there is additional fuel for the Cadets (5-6) when they face the Midshipmen (8-4) in the 110th edition of their storied rivalry.
With a win Saturday at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Army would end its seven-game losing streak against Navy, a series record for futility. The Cadets also can secure their first bowl bid since 1996.
“The Navy game is always big for us,” said junior running back Pat Mealy (DeMatha). “But this feels different. This is more significant because of the bowl game. We’ve bonded together as a team this year and feel better prepared to play them than ever.”
While the notion of a postseason game is exciting for Army, it’s old hat for Navy, which clinched its seventh straight bowl berth a month ago with a win at Notre Dame. On New Year’s Eve in Houston, Navy will face Missouri (8-4) in the Texas Bowl. Army looks to claim a slot in the EagleBank Bowl, Dec. 29, at RFK Stadium against resurgent Temple (9-3). The Owls defeated Navy on Oct. 31, 27-24.
“It’s easier to go to practice when you’re playing Navy and you have a bowl game at stake,” said Army senior wide receiver Alejandro Villanueva at a press luncheon Thursday in Philadelphia. “You see a lot of players staying after practice, you see a lot of players watching extra film late at night.”
With a victory Saturday and in the Texas Bowl, Navy would get to 10 wins for the third time in school history. The Midshipmen want to atone for their disappointing loss at Hawaii, 11 days ago, 24-17, their worst game this season. That game, like Saturday’s, came off a bye week.
“[Army is] going to be highly motivated,” said Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo. “We better be ready, or this will be a long day. As bad as we felt losing to Hawaii, if it happened here, it would be 1,000 times worse.”
