I’m going to try to make this post as cliche-free as possible, but it will probably be pretty tough because of the tremendous respect I have not only for the football teams at the Military and Naval Academies, but the Academies themselves.
Navy won their 7th straight game over Army, and for the first time in 30 years it featured a shutout.Navy also won its 6th straight Commander in Chief Trophy, and have not lost a game against a service academy since losing to Air Force in 2002.
The lone bright spot for the Black Nights was Collin Mooney’s 55 rushing yards, which helped him break the single season record for Army.
Navy attempted just 10 passes in the game, opposed to 57 rushes. Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada was 3-10 for 62 yards and a touchdown, and also rushed for 42 yards. But the big star for Navy was Shun White, who had 147 yards on the ground on just 12 carries, and both ran for and caught a touchdown.
The Army-Navy game is always one of my favorites to watch, just because of the extra meaning it has for both of the schools and everyone involved in the game. During commercial breaks, they showed players from the respective teams and where they are going after they graduate, and the differences between those players and your average college graduate is stunning. While most college football players dream of the NFL, these players have to go overseas, whether it be to Iraq, Afghanistan, or wherever, and be put in harms way.
Another feature during commercial breaks was when they would have former Naval Academy or Military Academy students who were in the armed forces, or were astronauts, etc. doing the simplest, but one of the best, cheers out there: “Go Army, Beat Navy” or of course the reciprocal. It was great to see the two teams compete hard against eachother for 60 minutes with no extra-curricular garbage after the whistle, and then to see those players band together after the game to listen to their respective alma-maters. Watching this game really reminds you that our country is in good hands.
I also loved the uniforms Army wore for the game, and as soon as some pictures pop up on the Internets I’ll throw some up here.
Edit: Here and here are probably the best two. Here is an article about the uniforms.
h/t to Clown for the pictures.
First!
Last!
Middle?!!!!
Last!
Middlastfirstylast!
Including my 4 years at Canoe U., I’ve seen almost all of 49 games and the pregame march ons and post game alma maters still give me goosebumps ! It is unlike any other game … the last true college football game ! And after the lead up week and, after the game, we are once again brothers … until the following December.
GO NAVY, BEAT ARMY again and again and … (;o} … 7 in-a-row and counting v. WooPoo … GRRRREAT !!! 6 in-a-row and counting v. duberry’s “team jesus” … PRICELESS !!! 6 CinC Trophies in-a-row and counting … STUPENDOUS !!! However, right up there is the fact that this year’s trophy will be presented by an ELECTED -rather than an appointed- and RESPECTED, INTELLIGENT PRESIDENT, BARACK OBAMA !
I dont know about the rest of you guys, but I like this guy.
Absolutely, come back often.