GAME NOTES: The Commander in Chief's Trophy is on the line this Saturday, when the Army Black Knights hook up with the Navy Midshipmen from Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Saturday's game marks for the first time since 1996 the trophy has been on the line for both schools at the same time, as each has already disposed of Air Force earlier this season. Navy has won the previous two Commander In Chief's Trophies outright, while Army last won the hardware outright in 1996. The Knights, however, enter the game on a roll as they have rebounded from an 0-6 start to win their last four games. The team was last in action on November 19th when it posted a 38-10 victory over Arkansas State. A win this Saturday would give Army its first five-game winning streak since posting 11 consecutive victories between the 1995 and 1996 seasons. As for Navy, it has also played well of late, winning two of its last three games. Most recently, the team handed winless Temple a 38-17 defeat on November 19th, improving to 6-4 on the year. Saturday's game marks the 106th meeting between Army and Navy, with the series currently tied at 49-49-7. The Mids, however, have won three straight over the Knights, including a 42-13 victory last year.
The Midshipmen run an option-style offense and that is the main reason why the team is averaging a healthy 287.5 rushing ypg. Of the team's 39 touchdowns, 34 have come on the ground. Heading the ground assault is quarterback Lamar Owens, who has rushed for 731 yards and eight scores. While Owens has had success with his legs, the same can't be said about his arm as he has thrown for just 1,114 yards with four touchdowns and eight interceptions. In the team's last game, Owens rushed for 84 yards and two scores while also throwing for 120 yards in a 38-17 win over Temple. Adam Bellard also turned in a solid performance, as he rushed for a team-high 167 yards and a touchdown on 29 carries. Bellard is one of five Midshipmen that have rushed for over 300 yards this season, amassing 347 yards thus far. Marco Nelson is another one of the team's successful backs, as he has gained 376 yards on an impressive 8.2 ypc average. Against Temple, Nelson ran for 83 yards and a score on just seven totes.
On the defensive side of the ball is where Navy is a bit vulnerable, allowing 26.0 ppg and 361.9 total ypg. The team has had some problems against the run (163.2 ypg) and has forced far to few turnovers, 16 in fact. In the club's previous outing, the Navy defense allowed 381 yards to a dismal Temple offense. The unit managed just one turnover in the win, while giving up 26 first downs. The Mids did manage to post three sacks, giving them 25 for the year. Jeremy McGown led the team with 10 tackles, while Rob Caldwell chipped in with six. Caldwell has been a tackling machine this season and leads the team with 116 stops in 10 contests.
The Black Knights have really turned up the heat on the offensive side of the ball in recent weeks, and are now averaging 19.7 ppg and 313.8 total ypg on the season. The team is gaining a solid 146.1 ypg on the ground and 167.7 ypg through the air, with 16 of its 24 touchdowns coming via the run. In the team's last game, Army racked up 377 total yards, including an impressive 300 rushing yards, in a 38-10 win over Arkansas State. Carlton Jones led the way with 187 yards and two scores on 29 carries. He has clearly been the team's most productive player this season and has amassed 944 yards in nine games. Scott Wesley has also seen a good deal of work in the backfield and has rushed for 519 yards with a team-best 10 touchdowns. With the ground attack producing at a high level, quarterback Zac Dahman hasn't really had to do alot. Dahman, who threw for just 77 yards and a score last weekend, has struggled at times this season and has passed for only 1,609 yards with eight touchdowns against 13 interceptions.
Much like the offense, the Army defense has improved greatly over the last few weeks and is now giving up 25.2 ppg and just 328.1 total ypg. The unit has fared well against both the run (140.9 ypg) and the pass (187.2 ypg), although it could use a few more turnovers (17). In the most recent outing, Army put forth a tremendous defensive effort in holding ASU to just 290 total yards while also forcing three turnovers. Cason Shrode led the Black Knights with 9.5 tackles, while Caleb Campbell added 4.5 stops and an interception. Campbell has been simply sensational for the Knights this season and leads the team in tackles (87) as well as interceptions (five).
*The line opened at 7.5 and since has gone down to 5.5 in most places there are a couple of 6`s out their thats what i got.Navy was a public play when i looked last but the line is dropping.Looking for a cover by the Black Knights some how some way...via the back door*
BET ID=36046219
Straight Wager 12/03/05 00:50 ET
100.00/90.91 Result: Pending
Army
Navy(N) 12/03/05 (14:35 ET)
Army +6
The Midshipmen run an option-style offense and that is the main reason why the team is averaging a healthy 287.5 rushing ypg. Of the team's 39 touchdowns, 34 have come on the ground. Heading the ground assault is quarterback Lamar Owens, who has rushed for 731 yards and eight scores. While Owens has had success with his legs, the same can't be said about his arm as he has thrown for just 1,114 yards with four touchdowns and eight interceptions. In the team's last game, Owens rushed for 84 yards and two scores while also throwing for 120 yards in a 38-17 win over Temple. Adam Bellard also turned in a solid performance, as he rushed for a team-high 167 yards and a touchdown on 29 carries. Bellard is one of five Midshipmen that have rushed for over 300 yards this season, amassing 347 yards thus far. Marco Nelson is another one of the team's successful backs, as he has gained 376 yards on an impressive 8.2 ypc average. Against Temple, Nelson ran for 83 yards and a score on just seven totes.
On the defensive side of the ball is where Navy is a bit vulnerable, allowing 26.0 ppg and 361.9 total ypg. The team has had some problems against the run (163.2 ypg) and has forced far to few turnovers, 16 in fact. In the club's previous outing, the Navy defense allowed 381 yards to a dismal Temple offense. The unit managed just one turnover in the win, while giving up 26 first downs. The Mids did manage to post three sacks, giving them 25 for the year. Jeremy McGown led the team with 10 tackles, while Rob Caldwell chipped in with six. Caldwell has been a tackling machine this season and leads the team with 116 stops in 10 contests.
The Black Knights have really turned up the heat on the offensive side of the ball in recent weeks, and are now averaging 19.7 ppg and 313.8 total ypg on the season. The team is gaining a solid 146.1 ypg on the ground and 167.7 ypg through the air, with 16 of its 24 touchdowns coming via the run. In the team's last game, Army racked up 377 total yards, including an impressive 300 rushing yards, in a 38-10 win over Arkansas State. Carlton Jones led the way with 187 yards and two scores on 29 carries. He has clearly been the team's most productive player this season and has amassed 944 yards in nine games. Scott Wesley has also seen a good deal of work in the backfield and has rushed for 519 yards with a team-best 10 touchdowns. With the ground attack producing at a high level, quarterback Zac Dahman hasn't really had to do alot. Dahman, who threw for just 77 yards and a score last weekend, has struggled at times this season and has passed for only 1,609 yards with eight touchdowns against 13 interceptions.
Much like the offense, the Army defense has improved greatly over the last few weeks and is now giving up 25.2 ppg and just 328.1 total ypg. The unit has fared well against both the run (140.9 ypg) and the pass (187.2 ypg), although it could use a few more turnovers (17). In the most recent outing, Army put forth a tremendous defensive effort in holding ASU to just 290 total yards while also forcing three turnovers. Cason Shrode led the Black Knights with 9.5 tackles, while Caleb Campbell added 4.5 stops and an interception. Campbell has been simply sensational for the Knights this season and leads the team in tackles (87) as well as interceptions (five).
*The line opened at 7.5 and since has gone down to 5.5 in most places there are a couple of 6`s out their thats what i got.Navy was a public play when i looked last but the line is dropping.Looking for a cover by the Black Knights some how some way...via the back door*
BET ID=36046219
Straight Wager 12/03/05 00:50 ET
100.00/90.91 Result: Pending
Army
Navy(N) 12/03/05 (14:35 ET)
Army +6
