The 123nd Army-Navy Game will kick off Saturday at 3 p.m. on CBS.
Here’s what you need to know:
Where is the Army-Navy game being played?
This year’s meeting will take place at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. The game was supposed to be held at the site in 2020 but was moved to Michie Stadium at the United States Military Academy at West Point because of coronavirus restrictions and attendance limits placed on outdoor events in Pennsylvania.
Who leads the all-time series of the Army-Navy game?
Navy leads the series 62-53-7, including a record 14-game winning streak from 2002 to 2015. Army won four of the next five meetings, its best run since the early 1990′s. The teams alternated wins the past four years with Navy winning the 2019 and 2021 games and Army winning in 2018 and 2020.
What happened during last year’s Army-Navy game?
Navy won last year’s game, 17-13, thanks in part to a surprise fake punt late in the game from inside linebacker Diego Fagot that set up a 43-yard field goal from Bijan Nichols that gave the Mids some breathing room. Navy’s defense made two stops down the stretch to clinch the win. Quarterback Tai Lavatai rushed 20 times for 62 yards and two touchdowns and completed 4 of 6 passes for 82 yards. He scored what proved to be the game-winning touchdown on a 2-yard plunge to cap a 10-play, 74-yard drive in the third quarter.
Who is favored to win the Army-Navy game?
Navy is a 1 1/2 point favorite to beat Army. The line dropped from a 2 1/2 point spread earlier in the week. The over-under is 33 points. Despite its 4-7 record, Navy has gone 7-4 against the spread this season.
What do I need to know about Army and Navy this year?
The Midshipmen had a rough start to the season, getting upset at home in their opener to Delaware, 14-7, then losing to Memphis, 37-13, their worst loss of the season. But Navy bounced back in its first road game at East Carolina, where the Midshipmen beat the Pirates, 23-20, in double overtime. Daniel Davies, who was the third-string kicker coming out of camp, made three field goals including a 36-yarder that turned out to be the game-winner.
Navy lost three of its next four games, falling to Air Force, SMU and Houston while beating Tulsa, 53-21. Navy picked up its second overtime win of the season against Temple before dropping close games to Cincinnati and Notre Dame. In the Mids’ last game, they upset then-No. 20 Central Florida, 17-14.
Navy’s calling card this season has been its run defense. The Mids rank fourth nationally, allowing 85.6 rushing yards per game. Only Georgia, James Madison and Michigan have fared better. Linebacker John Marshall, a unanimous All-American Athletic Conference selection, leads the team with 88 total tackles, including 18 1/2 for loss. Pass defense, however, has been another story. Navy ranks 114th out of 131 Football Bowl Subdivision teams allowing 270.3 yards per game. Navy ranks 43rd in total defense.
Offensively, Navy ranks 110th nationally with 330.7 yards per game. With its triple-option offense, Navy is traditionally among the national leaders in rushing offense. This year it ranks seventh with 239.5 yards per game. Fullback Daba Fofana leads the ground attack with 764 yards on 175 carries with a team-best six touchdowns. Maquel Haywood has rushed 69 times for 462 yards (6.5 yards a carry). Quarterback Xavier Arline, who took over as the starter when Lavatai was injured against Temple, has 314 yards on 68 carries and three touchdowns.
Army enters 5-6 and did not qualify for a bowl game because of two wins against FCS opponents. The Black Knights lost four of their first five games, with the only win coming against Villanova. They won two straight over Colgate and Louisiana-Monroe before losses to Air Force and Troy. They have also won their last two games against Connecticut and UMass.
Army ranks second nationally in rushing behind Air Force with 304.4 yards per game. Tyhier Tyler is the top ball carrier with 601 yards and 12 touchdowns on 120 carriers. Jamel Jones and Jakobi Buchanan average 40 and 33 yards a game, respectively, but receive most of the work near the goal line with seven and six touchdowns, respectively, this season.
What about the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy?
Air Force has already won the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy. The Falcons beat Navy, 13-10, on Oct. 1 and Army, 13-7, on Nov. 5. It’s the first time the Falcons won the trophy since 2016. Army last won it in 2020 and retained it last season when the three service academies went 1-1 against each other. Navy last won it in 2019.
Where can I get more coverage of the Army-Navy game?
CBS will broadcast the game with Brad Nessler providing play-by-play, Gary Danielson handling color commentary and Jenny Dell serving as sideline reporter.
CBS Sports will air its studio pregame, halftime and postgame coverage live from inside Lincoln Financial Field. Coverage on CBS will begin at 2:30 pm with “College Football Today” featuring Adam Zucker, Brian Jones and Rick Neuheisel.
CBS Sports Network will air “Inside College Football: Army-Navy March-On presented by USAA” from noon to 1:30 p.m. and “Inside College Football: Army-Navy Tailgate presented by USAA” from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Westwood One will have the national radio call with John Sadak, Ross Tucker and Tina Cervasio-McKearney. The game will air on over 300 Westwood affiliates and on SIRIUSXM Channel 84.
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