All of the talk and anticipation is just about over between Army and Navy.
Today is the day every Midshipman and Cadet football player has waited for all season when the two service academies take the field against each other for the 107th time. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. in front of a sold-out crowd at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
The game means everything for both teams, although the motivation is slightly different for each squad. With awin, Navy (8-3) will capture the Commander-in-Chief?s Trophy outright for the fourth straight year. A Navy win would also mean five straight victories over Army and that the Midshipmen?s senior class will graduate having never lost to a rival service academy.
Army enters the game with hopes of tying the overall series after Navy took a 50-49-7 lead last year. Prior to that, Army led the series since 1991. The Black Knights are also trying to salvage a once-promising season, which started 3-3 and went south quickly with five straight losses.
Like all teams facing Navy, Army?s first concern is stopping the running attack, which ranks first in the nation at 333.2 yards a game. The Black Knights? rushing defense, which is 115th out of 119 Division I-A schools, allows 193 yards a game.
But Army?s biggest problem this year has been turnovers. Through 11 games, it has turned the ball over 35 times after committing just 20 last season. This is due largely to inconsistent play at quarterback, which eventually led Army coach Bobby Ross to hand the reins of the offense to freshman quarterback Carson Williams.
“The defense is definitely ahead of the offense here,” said Ross, in his third year at West Point. “We have a good chance of coming back next year with a really solid defensive unit.”
Individually, Wesley McMahand provides Army with its top rushing threat. He has 633 yards and four touchdowns on 144 carries. Also, Jeremy Trimble is the Black Knights? top receiving threat with 47 catches for 486 yards and two touchdowns. He is also dangerous on special teams, ranking second in the nation with an average of 18 yards per punt return.
Despite the statistical disparities, Navy coach Paul Johnson understands that pre-game numbers mean little when Mids and Black Knights collide. His game plan will remain the same as it has all season. Army can expect plenty of runs from quarterback Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada, slot back Reggie Campbell and fullback Adam Ballard. The trio has combined to rush for 1,817 yards and 19 touchdowns.
Army also must find a way to contain Navy?s top defenders, like linebackers Rob Caldwell (95 tackles) and David Mahoney (60 tackles, 6 sacks).
“We?re going to be aggressive, but not to the point of being high-risk,” Johnson said. “We?re going to try to limit their ability to make plays, put pressure on them defensively and keep them off the field.”
Army vs. Navy
Where: Lincoln Financial Field
When: 2:30 p.m., Saturday
TV: CBS Radio: 1090 AM
