Navy junior kicker Joey Bullen is listed as probable for Saturday?s game at Air Force with a strained groin.
The Falcons must be hoping Bullen sits out just one more game as they look to end a three-game losing streak against the Midshipmen Saturday at Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colo. Air Force?s most recent loss came Oct. 8, 2005, when Bullen connected on a 46-yard field goal with 0.4 seconds left, which gave Navy a 27-24 victory after trailing 24-17 with 4:26left.
Bullen said coming on and kicking with virtually no time left was a blessing in disguise.
“It was probably better that it happened that way because I didn?t have any time to think about it,” Bullen said.
Air Force (2-1) undoubtedly has been thinking about that game, and other close calls. Each of the Midshipmen?s last three wins over the Falcons has been by three points. The Falcons are also looking to get a leg up in the battle for the Commander-in-Chief Trophy, an award Navy has won the last three years.
Air Force, which is looking to win the CIC trophy for an 18th time, boasts the third-ranked rushing offense (290 yards per game) in the country. Navy, meanwhile, owns the top-ranked running game with a rushing defense that is eighth-best (65.7 yards a game).
Halfback Chad Hall and fullback Ryan Williams lead Air Force?s running game with 258 and 239 yards, respectively, and three touchdowns each. Linebacker Drew Fowler leads Air Force?s defense with 28 tackles, while free safety Julian Madrid has 18 tackles and three sacks.
Although the game is a contest against a fellow service academy, Navy coach Paul Johnson stressed the outcome of this game will not impact the overall success of the season.
“It?s important because the two teams are rivals and it?s another academy,” Johnson said. “I?m not trying to diminish that, but you can?t put all your eggs in one basket and think if we can somehow go and win this game that the season is made, or if, unfortunately, we don?t win the game that the season is lost.”
NAVY/AIR FORCE NOTES
» Air Force leads the overall series, 25-13, and is 14-4 all-time against Navy in Colorado Springs.
» Prior to winning the last three meetings, Navy had lost six straight to Air Force between 1997 and 2002.
» Navy has never beaten Air Force four straight times.
