{"id":23845,"date":"2016-12-09T15:55:31","date_gmt":"2016-12-09T15:55:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/uncategorized\/2016\/12\/09\/army-navy-top-10-what-you-need-to-know-as-the-rivalry-game-nears\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T06:24:07","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T06:24:07","slug":"army-navy-top-10-what-you-need-to-know-as-the-rivalry-game-nears","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/off-duty\/2016\/12\/09\/army-navy-top-10-what-you-need-to-know-as-the-rivalry-game-nears\/","title":{"rendered":"Army-Navy Top 10: What you need to know as the rivalry game nears"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As the spirit spots reach critical mass and the rest of the sports media turns its eyes (and its mascot-head wearers<\/a>) toward Baltimore, there’s more Army-Navy rivalry information online than even the most die-hard academy fan can churn through over the next 24 or so hours. Here’s a handy cheat sheet to help with game-day prep:1. The (very) basics. <\/b>Kickoff is set for 3 p.m., with march-ons beginning at noon. CBS will carry the game, and CBS Sports Network will carry the marching as part of its 2.5-hour pregame show. The American Forces Network will air the broadcast, and the folks at Navy Athletics have come up with a handy list<\/a> of radio stations airing the game as well as other pregame media coverage.2. Streak 101.<\/b> A Navy win in the 117th meeting between the teams would be its 15th straight, easily the most lopsided stretch in the rivalry’s history. Army’s last win: 26-17, in 2001, in Philadelphia’s Veterans Stadium\u00a0\u2014<\/span>\u00a0which has had some structural changes since<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

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A quick look at the Black Knights in advance of Saturday’s Army-Navy game.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n

3. Trump update.<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite a sellout crowd, the president-elect has managed to score a ticket<\/a>. Well, probably at least two<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Donald Trump is set to switch sides at halftime, according to reports, mirroring the behavior of past presidents attending the contest. A Navy spokesman told Military Times earlier in the week that no plans were in place for the president-elect to meet with coaches or players, but scant details regarding the visit have been made public and the president-elect’s transition team has not responded to a request for comment. That said, the game is attended by a number<\/a>of recently<\/a>retired generals<\/a>each year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. On the field: Navy offense.<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Mids (9-2) will be without quarterback Will Worth and slotback Toneo Gulley; both seniors suffered season-ending foot injuries in the Mids’ loss to Temple last weekend in the American Athletic Conference title game. Sophomore quarterback Zach Abey gets the start for Navy<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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the school says<\/a>it’s the first time a Navy QB has started his first-ever college game against Army. Learn more about Abey here<\/a>, and expect the bulk of Saturday’s workload to be carried by fullbacks Shawn White and Chris High, who returned from his own injury against Temple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. On the field: Army offense.<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite scoring 60 or more points in three games this year, including a 60-3 win over Morgan State in the home finale, Army West Point (6-5) has been in the middle of the offensive pack this season, ranking 68th in yards per game. But that production has been all but one-dimensional: Army’s dead last in passing yards with less than 80 per game. While both teams run a run-heavy option attack, Navy’s averaging nearly 129 passing yards per contest. Quarterback Ahmad Bradshaw and fullback Andy Davidson will lead the way on the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Catch up on Navy’s 2016 season before the Army-Navy showdown in Baltimore.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n

6. On the field: Army defense.<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Black Knights rank fifth in the nation in yards allowed per game, with senior linebackers Andrew King and Jeremy Timpf leading the way. And while Navy’s option attack may baffle some opponents with its misdirection, Army’s defense has practiced against a similar Black Knights offense all season … and has been preparing for Navy’s specific threats since holding Morgan State to a field goal on Nov. 19.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. On the field:<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Navy defense.<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Mids have allowed 31 points or more in their last four games, but were bailed out by big-time offensive performances in three of those efforts. Most of that damage has come in the air, however — Navy ranks third in the nation in run defense and, like the Black Knights, is very familiar with the option attack. But the defense hasn’t been immune from injuries<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Gene Wang’s review of Navy’s full medical tent<\/a>covers both sides of the ball.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. Off-the-field competition.<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you missed Monday’s Army-Navy hockey festivities at the Verizon Center, home of the NHL’s Washington Capitals, check out our gallery below. Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Milley led a team of soldiers and airmen (and the occasional undersecretary<\/a>) to a 5-3 win over a sea-service squad led by Vice Adm. Ted Carter, superintendent of the Naval Academy. Hockey not violent enough for you? Then strap in for live, two-on-two debate action tonight via Facebook live<\/a>, when Army will battle Navy to … well, to sort out whether the Defense Department should boost its offensive cyber capabilities. The Vegas sportsbooks have yet to name a favorite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

9. Saturday forecasts.<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Weathermen predict a cold but clear day in Baltimore on Saturday, with temperatures likely staying below 40 degrees but above freezing. And while Vegas has steered away from the debate, oddsmakers have shown some interest in the football game<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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what started with Navy favored by double digits has dropped to a six-point spread at most sportsbooks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10. Game notes.<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Too much celebrating at or near the stadium? Need a lift home? You can get a discount from ride-share service Uber ($10 round-trip) using promotional codes GOARMY16 or GONAVY16. … Get the best game details from the local beat reporters, like Bill Wagner at CapitalGazette.com (i.e., Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo’s heartwarming gesture<\/a>to a player in mourning) or Sal Interdonato at RecordOnline.com (i.e., Andrew King’s tribute<\/a>to teammate Brandon Jackson, who died in a car crash<\/a>in September). … Read King’s full tribute here<\/a>. … Check militarytimes.com\/armynavy<\/a>throughout Saturday for updates from Baltimore, including photos from the march-ons, and follow Military Times<\/a>on social media<\/a>throughout the contest. … Also, check out Navy’s game ball:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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#NavyFootball<\/a> to use a special Beat Army ball on Saturday created by @BigGameUSA<\/a>. First time in NCAA history a team has had colored laces. pic.twitter.com\/UFBntjZso5<\/a><\/p>— Scott Strasemeier (@ScottStras) December 8, 2016<\/a><\/blockquote>