COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Army targets second straight win over Navy

Friday
Dec 8, 2017 at 7:33 PM Dec 8, 2017 at 7:33 PM

For the first time since 2001, the Black Knights enter game with a better record than the Midshipmen

By Mike CranstonThe Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA

Jeff Monken's second season at Army in 2015 ended with 10 losses and a record 14th straight defeat to Navy.

While it pointed to more of the same for a struggling program, Monken was confident a West Point turnaround was imminent thanks to successful recruiting and the number of close losses.

Monken was proven right. He guided Army to a long-awaited and emotional comeback win over Navy last season followed by a bowl victory. On what could be a snowy renewal of one of the nation's top rivalries, the Black Knights (8-3) enter the 118th meeting with Navy on Saturday as a bowl-bound team again, holding a better record than the Midshipmen (6-5) for the first time since 2001.

"The cadets have fully bought into what he's doing," Army athletic director Boo Corrigan said.

Behind their humming triple-option offense, the Black Knights strung together six straight wins before a 52-49 loss at North Texas in their last game Nov. 18. Army has won 11 of its past 14 games and clinched consecutive winning seasons for the first time since 1989-90.

"It's good for our football team to feel confident," said Monken, one of eight finalists for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award.

Senior quarterback Ahmad Bradshaw, who scored the go-ahead touchdown against Navy in the fourth quarter of last year's 21-17 victory in Baltimore, has an Army single-season record 1,472 yards rushing.

Securing a second straight win over Navy for the first time since 1996 in what's billed as "America's Game" won't be easy. The Midshipmen, who have played a tougher schedule, started 5-0 and spent a week at No. 25 in the AP Poll before dropping five of six.

Navy, which lost 31-21 to unbeaten Central Florida and 24-17 to Notre Dame, opened as a 3.5-point favorite and leads the all-time series 60-50-7.

For an added twist, the forecast calls for accumulating snow for most of the day Saturday.

Quarterback Zach Abey, who made his first college start last year against Army, has a team-best 1,322 yards rushing and 14 touchdowns along with seven TD passes. The speedy Malcolm Perry, who has 1,437 all-purpose yards and 10 touchdowns, has also seen time under center.

"People ask because you lost last year, do you want to win more?" said Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo, who is 8-1 against Army. "It never changes. There's no added motivation. It's Army."

Army-Navy notebook

For the first time since 2012, the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy is on the line. It's presented annually to the winner of the round robin between the three major service academies. Army (21-0) and Navy (48-45) both beat Air Force. Navy has held the trophy 10 of the past 14 years, last in 2015. Army has not had it since 1996. ... Snow may not affect these triple-option offenses that much. Army enters No. 1 in the nation at 368.1 yards rushing per game. Navy is No. 2 at 347.5 yards. Army has completed 18 passes all season, in 60 attempts. Navy is 41 of 99 through the air.

College notebook

Oregon promoted offensive coordinator Mario Cristobal to head coach.Cristobal was co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at Oregon this past season and was named interim coach on Tuesday when Willie Taggart left to become head coach at Florida State. He becomes the 34th coach in Oregon history. ... Receiver James Robinson's playing days are over at Florida because of a heart condition.The Gators announced that the freshman, one of the state's top recruits last February, will not be medically cleared to return. Florida did not provide details about Robinson's diagnosis. ... Duke kicker/punter Austin Parker has been kicked off the football team after he was suspended from school for a violation of the university's academic policy. The redshirt sophomore converted 17 of 21 field-goal attempts and 33 of 35 extra points. He averaged 42.1 yards on 61 punts.

 

Friday
Dec 8, 2017 at 7:33 PM Dec 8, 2017 at 7:33 PM

For the first time since 2001, the Black Knights enter game with a better record than the Midshipmen

By Mike CranstonThe Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA

Jeff Monken's second season at Army in 2015 ended with 10 losses and a record 14th straight defeat to Navy.

While it pointed to more of the same for a struggling program, Monken was confident a West Point turnaround was imminent thanks to successful recruiting and the number of close losses.

Monken was proven right. He guided Army to a long-awaited and emotional comeback win over Navy last season followed by a bowl victory. On what could be a snowy renewal of one of the nation's top rivalries, the Black Knights (8-3) enter the 118th meeting with Navy on Saturday as a bowl-bound team again, holding a better record than the Midshipmen (6-5) for the first time since 2001.

"The cadets have fully bought into what he's doing," Army athletic director Boo Corrigan said.

Behind their humming triple-option offense, the Black Knights strung together six straight wins before a 52-49 loss at North Texas in their last game Nov. 18. Army has won 11 of its past 14 games and clinched consecutive winning seasons for the first time since 1989-90.

"It's good for our football team to feel confident," said Monken, one of eight finalists for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award.

Senior quarterback Ahmad Bradshaw, who scored the go-ahead touchdown against Navy in the fourth quarter of last year's 21-17 victory in Baltimore, has an Army single-season record 1,472 yards rushing.

Securing a second straight win over Navy for the first time since 1996 in what's billed as "America's Game" won't be easy. The Midshipmen, who have played a tougher schedule, started 5-0 and spent a week at No. 25 in the AP Poll before dropping five of six.

Navy, which lost 31-21 to unbeaten Central Florida and 24-17 to Notre Dame, opened as a 3.5-point favorite and leads the all-time series 60-50-7.

For an added twist, the forecast calls for accumulating snow for most of the day Saturday.

Quarterback Zach Abey, who made his first college start last year against Army, has a team-best 1,322 yards rushing and 14 touchdowns along with seven TD passes. The speedy Malcolm Perry, who has 1,437 all-purpose yards and 10 touchdowns, has also seen time under center.

"People ask because you lost last year, do you want to win more?" said Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo, who is 8-1 against Army. "It never changes. There's no added motivation. It's Army."

Army-Navy notebook

For the first time since 2012, the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy is on the line. It's presented annually to the winner of the round robin between the three major service academies. Army (21-0) and Navy (48-45) both beat Air Force. Navy has held the trophy 10 of the past 14 years, last in 2015. Army has not had it since 1996. ... Snow may not affect these triple-option offenses that much. Army enters No. 1 in the nation at 368.1 yards rushing per game. Navy is No. 2 at 347.5 yards. Army has completed 18 passes all season, in 60 attempts. Navy is 41 of 99 through the air.

College notebook

Oregon promoted offensive coordinator Mario Cristobal to head coach.Cristobal was co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at Oregon this past season and was named interim coach on Tuesday when Willie Taggart left to become head coach at Florida State. He becomes the 34th coach in Oregon history. ... Receiver James Robinson's playing days are over at Florida because of a heart condition.The Gators announced that the freshman, one of the state's top recruits last February, will not be medically cleared to return. Florida did not provide details about Robinson's diagnosis. ... Duke kicker/punter Austin Parker has been kicked off the football team after he was suspended from school for a violation of the university's academic policy. The redshirt sophomore converted 17 of 21 field-goal attempts and 33 of 35 extra points. He averaged 42.1 yards on 61 punts.

 

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