Saturday, December 09, 2017

2017 marks 118th editon of classic football rivalry: Army vs. Navy

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2017 All Rights Reserved

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA (December 9, 2017) Today marks the 118th edition of one of the most classic and historic match-ups in college football; Army vs Navy. The Black Knights (8-3) of Army will be facing the Midshipmen of Navy (6-5) at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Navy has won the past 14 of the past games, dating back to 2002. Last season, Army broke Navy's 14 years streak, downing the Midshipmen 21-17 at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.

Navy hold the all-time record; 60-50-7. The 14-year win streak, from 2002 to 2015 is the longest in the series. Navy won the initial game in 1890 by the score of 24-0 at "The Plain" at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. In 1891, Army won their first game 32-16 at Worden Field on the campus of 
the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland.

Navy will be led by quarterback Zach Abey with 1322 yard rushing and 805 yard passing, while Army will counter with quarterback Ahmad Bradshaw. The 5-11, 205-pound senior from Chicago, Illinois  rushed for 1472 yards for the Black Knights. Both teams rely heavily on their ground game, but both teams can also pass if the need arises. Both teams average over 30 points a game (Army: 31.2, Navy: 30.4) with Navy giving up more points per game (29.2 - 21.6).

No matter the outcome today, both team are headed to a bowl game. Navy is headed to the Military Bowl on Thursday, December 28 against Virginia, while Army will face-off against San Diego State on Saturday, December 23 in the Armed Forces Bowl.





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