Navy Accepts Invitation To Play In The Meineke Car Care Bowl

Colleges & Universities United States Naval Academy (USNA)
121

<p>Athletic department reaps millions from program’s recent success</p>

<p>Published in today’s Annapolis Capital:</p>

<p><a href=“Real Estate – Capital Gazette”>Real Estate – Capital Gazette;

<p>

</p>

122

<p>Eagle players deal with coaching uncertainty</p>

<p>Published in today’s Annapolis Capital:</p>

<p><a href=“Real Estate – Capital Gazette”>Real Estate – Capital Gazette;

<p>

</p>

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<p>Charlotte, NC (Sports Network) - In the fifth annual Meineke Car Care Bowl, the 23rd ranked Boston College Eagles will try to post their seventh consecutive bowl victory when they battle the Navy Midshipmen at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. Although the Midshipmen have not been as consistent as BC over the years, Navy will be playing in its fourth consecutive bowl game and will be trying to secure its third straight postseason victory. Last season, the Middies posted a convincing 51-30 victory over Colorado State in the Poinsettia Bowl and the year before that, Navy collected a 34-19 win over New Mexico in the Emerald Bowl. The Mids flew out of the gates this season, as the team won its first three contests and five of its first six overall. The only loss during that stretch was a heartbreaking 24-23 overtime setback to Tulsa. After the 5-1 start, the team was brought back to Earth, losing to Rutgers (34-0) and Notre Dame (38-14). Fortunately, that would be the last time Navy would taste defeat as the squad closed out the season with four consecutive wins, including a 26-14 victory over rival Army. A victory on Saturday would give the Mid a school-record tying 10th victory. As for the Eagles, this will be their eighth consecutive bowl contest, which is a school mark. As mentioned earlier, the Eagles come into this matchup red-hot in postseason play, winning six straight bowls, which is the longest streak in the nation. Winning a seventh consecutive bowl could be tough, especially with the coaching situation. BC started the season with Tom O’Brien at the helm, but he accepted the head coaching job at NC State, and will not coach in this matchup. Instead, Frank Spaziani will play coach for a day, as he will lead the Eagles against Navy and afterwards quickly step aside for Jeff Jagodzinski who was recently named the new head coach. The Eagles were one of the more talented teams this season, as they opened the year with seven wins in their first eight games. Unfortunately, the team closed the year with just a 2-2 mark, suffering losses against Wake Forest (21-14) and Miami (17-14). If the Eagles are victories against Navy the team will post its first 10 win season since 1984.</p>

<p>Without a doubt the Middies are the most one-sided offense in the nation. Navy comes into this matchup as I-A’s top rushing team, while finishing dead last in passing. Navy averaged 28.6 ppg on the season, but the majority of those points were achieved via the run. Navy, which produced a whopping 327.4 ypg on the ground, scored 38 of its 43 offensive touchdowns with the run. Five players closed out the regular season with over 400 rushing yards and Adam Ballard was the team leader with 792 yards. Ballard, who averaged 5.1 ypc, will unfortunately miss the bowl due to a fractured right fibula. After Ballard there is Reggie Campbell who rushed for 655 yards and five scores. Campbell proved he was a solid option for Navy, but the back will be asked to do even more with Ballard out of action. Next on the rushing list for Navy is quarterback Brian Hampton, but just like Ballard he will be unavailable for the bowl game thanks to a dislocated right knee he suffered in the seventh game of the season. Fortunately, Kaipo Kaheaku-Enhada proved to be a reliable back-up, as the signal caller rushed for 480 yards and 10 touchdowns. </p>

<p>The Middies being a run-oriented team is not surprising, however, the team’s play at the defensive end of the field this season was definitely a shocker. Navy surrendered only 19.7 ppg this year and held the opposition to only 336.8 total ypg. The unit only allowed 120.3 ypg on the ground, but struggled somewhat against the pass, permitting 216.5 ypg. A major issue for this unit was its inability to make the big plays, as Navy forced just 22 turnovers on the year and collected only 26 sacks. Rob Caldwell played like a madman all season and finished with a whopping 106 tackles, while the closest player behind him was David Mahoney who tallied just 76 stops. However, Mahoney also made his presence felt in the backfield, collecting 9.5 TFLs and six sacks. Defensive lineman John Chan paced the defense with seven sacks and also tallied eight TFLs for the Middies. </p>

<p>The Eagles too very effective offensively this season, but their success did not come from the ground, instead it was the passing attack that led BC to a 9-3 ledger. Boston College only produced 117.9 ypg on the ground, but the passing attack was far more impressive, as the Eagles averaged 241.1 ypg. Quarterback Matt Ryan completed 61.1 percent of his passes on the season, while throwing for 2,700 yards. Unfortunately the signal caller only tossed 14 touchdowns on the year and finished with eight INTs. Kevin Challenger and Tony Gonzalez were the top two options for Ryan throughout the season, as Challenger grabbed 45 passes for 508 yards and five scores, while Gonzalez collected 39 receptions for 441 yards and another five touchdowns. As mentioned previously, the Eagles did not have a devastating ground game, but it was good enough to keep defensive units guessing. L.V. Whitworth led the Eagles’ ground attack with 790 yards and four scores, while Andre Callender prove to be a solid second option by averaging 567 yards to go along with three scores. </p>

<p>While the Eagles were solid offensively, the team was downright nasty at the defensive end. BC comes into the postseason holding the opposition to just 15 ppg, while allowing only 303.2 total ypg. Boston College was tenacious against the run, holding opponents to only 90.1 rushing ypc. The team did struggle at times against the pass, allowing 213.1 ypg through the air, but fortunately the unit was able to force big plays and comes into this game with 21 interceptions. Overall, the team forced a whopping 35 turnovers and also collected 27 sacks. The defense held opponents to a mere 34 percent on third down attempts and just 69 percent on red-zone chances. Jolonn Dunbar finished the season with a team-high 78 tackles, while free safety Larry Anam added 62 stops. Linebacker Kevin Akins led the team with 8.5 TFLs and 7.5 sacks, while corner back DeJuan Tribble collected a team-best seven interceptions. </p>

<p>Navy has done a terrific job with its ground attack, but considering how impressive the Eagles have been offensively, the Middies will need to find success with its passing attack if it wants to keep up with Boston College and the chances of Navy throwing the ball consistently is highly unlikely. </p>

<p>Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Boston College 37, Navy 14</p>

124

<p>Transcript of Navy head football coach Paul Johnson’s comments following practice on Wednesday, December 27</p>

<p>Q. How was the team’s focus today?</p>

<p>A. I thought today was a little better. We did a lot of team stuff and a lot of mental stuff and I thought it went pretty good.</p>

<p>Q. Did everyone arrive on time? I heard Caldwell was delayed in getting here.</p>

<p>A. We had a couple of guys. Sean Kearney got sick and came a day late and Caldwell and Reider had a flight delay so they didn’t get in until last night, but all in all, when you consider the number of people coming in from different places, it wasn’t bad.</p>

<p>Q. Is there a point, with all this bad weather going on around the country and you have guys scattered all over the place, that you worry about who is going to be here on time and ready to roll because it’s out of your hands?</p>

<p>A. You just can’t worry about it. You do what you can do. </p>

<p>Q. Last week you said the focus was lacking a little bit in practice do you think the fact that the game is almost upon them that the focus is better?</p>

<p>A. I hope so. I think so. This group has a pretty good history of showing up on game day. The team we are playing is awfully good so we better be ready to play.</p>

<p>Q. Can you talk about the way your secondary has progressed this year and what they need to do to be successful this weekend?</p>

<p>A. They are like everybody else. They have done well at times. It’s more than the secondary when you play a team that can throw the ball. You have to get heat on the passer too. We can’t give up big plays over our head. If we do that we will have a chance.</p>

<p>Q. There has been so much talk about your offense, at least from a Boston College perspective, is there a defense that you have not seen tried against you guys?</p>

<p>A. I think we’ve probably seen all the possible alignments, but I don’t know if we’ve seen one with as many big and fast people as what they have. The problem isn’t the way they line up it’s the guys they line up with. I don’t think it will be a big surprise for us the way they line up, but who they line up with might be a problem.</p>

<p>Q. How is Kaipo as you swing into the heart of preparation?</p>

<p>A. He’s fine. He’s just like always.</p>

<p>Q. Paul, as a side note to this game, we have the two smartest teams in the country going against each other in terms of graduation rate. </p>

<p>A. I think it’s great. I think that any time two teams that have the academic reputation that these two schools have can play is a big deal. I’m proud of our guys and we have a great deal of respect for Boston College and what they’ve done not only on the field but in the classroom as well.</p>

<p>Q. Is this the biggest team you’ve faced this year or is Notre Dame bigger?</p>

<p>A. They are bigger than Notre Dame. This is the biggest team we’ve played.</p>

<p>Q. How do you compensate for the size differential?</p>

<p>A. I don’t know. We will find out on Saturday if we can.</p>

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<p>** Thanks from the Navy Athletic Director**</p>

<p>Bringing the Navy family together has been our single most significant goal in Charlotte. You dedicated alumni and friends have made it happen. Having the midshipmen and our enlisted personnel with their families in the stadium all cheering the team to victory with one voice on Saturday will be special. You helped us help them be there, through your ticket donation. Your assistance is helping us all win and the bowl game will truly be our greatest show of school spirit ever.</p>

<p>**SCHEDULE OF EVENTS</p>

<p>Thursday, 28 Dec 06</p>

<p>Navy Hospitality Table
Where:** [The</a> Westin Charlotte](<a href=“http://community.usna.com/NetCommunity/page.redir?&target=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.starwoodhotels.com%2Fwestin%2Fproperty%2Foverview%2Findex.html%3FpropertyID%3D1383&srcid=15356&srctid=1&erid=546709]The”>http://community.usna.com/NetCommunity/page.redir?&target=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.starwoodhotels.com%2Fwestin%2Fproperty%2Foverview%2Findex.html%3FpropertyID%3D1383&srcid=15356&srctid=1&erid=546709), 601 S College St, Charlotte, NC
When: 1-5 p.m.</p>

<p>Navy Spirit Hour/No Host Reception
Where: [The</a> Westin Charlotte](<a href=“http://community.usna.com/NetCommunity/page.redir?&target=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.starwoodhotels.com%2Fwestin%2Fproperty%2Foverview%2Findex.html%3FpropertyID%3D1383&srcid=15356&srctid=1&erid=546709]The”>http://community.usna.com/NetCommunity/page.redir?&target=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.starwoodhotels.com%2Fwestin%2Fproperty%2Foverview%2Findex.html%3FpropertyID%3D1383&srcid=15356&srctid=1&erid=546709), 601 S College St, Charlotte, NC
When: 5-7 p.m.</p>

<p>Friday, 29 Dec 06
Navy Hospitality Table
Where: [The</a> Westin Charlotte](<a href=“http://community.usna.com/NetCommunity/page.redir?&target=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.starwoodhotels.com%2Fwestin%2Fproperty%2Foverview%2Findex.html%3FpropertyID%3D1383&srcid=15356&srctid=1&erid=546709]The”>http://community.usna.com/NetCommunity/page.redir?&target=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.starwoodhotels.com%2Fwestin%2Fproperty%2Foverview%2Findex.html%3FpropertyID%3D1383&srcid=15356&srctid=1&erid=546709), 601 S College St, Charlotte, NC
When: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.</p>

<p>[Uptown</a> Street Festival](<a href=“http://community.usna.com/NetCommunity/page.redir?&target=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.meinekecarcarebowl.com%2Fstreetfestival.htm&srcid=15356&srctid=1&erid=546709]Uptown”>http://community.usna.com/NetCommunity/page.redir?&target=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.meinekecarcarebowl.com%2Fstreetfestival.htm&srcid=15356&srctid=1&erid=546709)
Where:** South Tryon Street (Between 4th and 2nd Streets)
When: 11 a.m.-5 p.m</p>

<p>Pep Rally
Where: 3rd Street Parking Lot – West 3rd & South Tryon Street (on Stage)
When: 5-6:30 p.m.</p>

<p>The Blue and Gold Come Around At Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery is Sold Out. The Rock Bottom Restaurant has an adjacent bar area and dinner reservations can be made independently at 704-334-2739.</p>

<p>**Saturday, 30 Dec 06</p>

<p>Navy Hospitality Table
Where:** [The</a> Westin Charlotte](<a href=“http://community.usna.com/NetCommunity/page.redir?&target=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.starwoodhotels.com%2Fwestin%2Fproperty%2Foverview%2Findex.html%3FpropertyID%3D1383&srcid=15356&srctid=1&erid=546709]The”>http://community.usna.com/NetCommunity/page.redir?&target=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.starwoodhotels.com%2Fwestin%2Fproperty%2Foverview%2Findex.html%3FpropertyID%3D1383&srcid=15356&srctid=1&erid=546709), 601 S College St, Charlotte, NC
When: 8-10 a.m.</p>

<p>4th Annual Brigade of Midshipmen Bowl Game Tailgate
Where: [Charlotte</a> Convention Center](<a href=“http://community.usna.com/NetCommunity/page.redir?&target=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.charlotteconventionctr.com%2F&srcid=15356&srctid=1&erid=546709]Charlotte”>http://community.usna.com/NetCommunity/page.redir?&target=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.charlotteconventionctr.com%2F&srcid=15356&srctid=1&erid=546709), 501 S College St, Charlotte, NC
When: 10 a.m.-Kickoff
Who: MIDN and 2 guests (Free), Adults ($35.00) Children 3-12, ($20.00), Under 3 (Free) </p>

<p>Midshipmen March-On and Pre-Game Show
Where: [Bank</a> of America Stadium](<a href=“http://community.usna.com/NetCommunity/page.redir?&target=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.panthers.com%2Fstadium%2FDefault.aspx%3Fid%3D1570&srcid=15356&srctid=1&erid=546709]Bank”>http://community.usna.com/NetCommunity/page.redir?&target=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.panthers.com%2Fstadium%2FDefault.aspx%3Fid%3D1570&srcid=15356&srctid=1&erid=546709), Charlotte, NC
When: 1 p.m.
</p>

126

<p>Published in today’s Washington Compost:</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/27/AR2006122701878.html[/url]”>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/27/AR2006122701878.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>

</p>

127

<p>Published in today’s Washington Times:</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.washingtontimes.com/sports/20061228-121823-7145r.htm[/url]”>http://www.washingtontimes.com/sports/20061228-121823-7145r.htm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>

</p>

128

<p>Published in today’s Boston Globe:</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.boston.com/sports/colleges/football/articles/2006/12/28/eagles_adapting_without_obrien/[/url]”>http://www.boston.com/sports/colleges/football/articles/2006/12/28/eagles_adapting_without_obrien/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>

</p>

129

<p>Spaziani once part of Midshipmen staff</p>

<p>Published in today’s Charlotte Observer:</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/sports/16332772.htm[/url]”>http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/sports/16332772.htm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>

</p>

130

<p>Published in today’s Boston Herald:</p>

<p><a href=“http://sports.bostonherald.com/college/football/view.bg?articleid=174212[/url]”>http://sports.bostonherald.com/college/football/view.bg?articleid=174212&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>

</p>

131

<p>Published in today’s Boston Herald:</p>

<p><a href=“http://sports.bostonherald.com/college/football/view.bg?articleid=174211[/url]”>http://sports.bostonherald.com/college/football/view.bg?articleid=174211&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>

</p>

132

<p>Navy, Boston College rate 1-2 in academics</p>

<p>Published in today’s Annapolis Capital:</p>

<p><a href=“Real Estate – Capital Gazette”>Real Estate – Capital Gazette;

<p>

</p>

133

<p>Transcript of Navy head football coach Paul Johnson’s comments following practice on Thursday, Dec. 28</p>

<p>Q. You are a day away from the game and today was your last practice, are you ready?</p>

<p>A. We are as ready as you can be. You always have pre-game jitters or whatever, but we’ve had pretty good preparation and the last couple of days the retention has been good so we will see.</p>

<p>Q. At this point in the season what do you guys try to accomplish during practice? Are you just game planning for Boston College or are you trying to do other stuff as well?</p>

<p>A. It’s all game plan stuff and trying to get ready for Boston College. We aren’t going to change who we are between now and Saturday so it’s just polishing things up and trying to make sure everybody knows their assignments on each and every play.</p>

<p>Q. What’s the difference in pressure between a bowl game and the Army-Navy game?</p>

<p>A. It doesn’t matter who you play you want to win if you’re competitive. We understand that Army-Navy is our biggest game of the year, but now that it’s over this is our biggest game of the year. There isn’t anybody out here that doesn’t want to win.</p>

<p>Q. How has the overall bowl experience been?</p>

<p>A. It’s been great. We’ve had a lot of fun and the weather here in Charlotte has been outstanding. The people have been very hospitable and all in all everybody has had a great time.</p>

<p>Q. How was the tire changing competition?</p>

<p>A. It was tough, but it was fun. We had a good time with it.</p>

<p>Q. Do you think you won that because you’re more of a redneck than Spaziani? He’s from Jersey.</p>

<p>A. That and I probably cheated.</p>

<p>Q. Is there any one thing you can put your finger on as the key to winning this game? Is stopping the quarterback the ultimate key, getting pressure on their quarterback?</p>

<p>A. It doesn’t change no matter who we are playing. We have to be able to run the ball, take care of the ball and stop them from running the ball.</p>

<p>Q. Do you think they are going to try and run the ball first against you?</p>

<p>A. Yeah. If you outweighed the other team by 100 pounds per man would you try and run it?</p>

<p>Q. But aren’t they a passing team?</p>

<p>A. They are going to get some passing yards, they are very efficient and their quarterback is good. We have to keep their receivers in front of us, don’t let them throw it over our head, and limit their running game. That’s the best chance we have at winning the game.</p>

<p>Q. You are going to have to try and run the ball against a line that outweighs you by 100 pounds per man and you are almost always outweighed entering the game, but is this game different because they are so big?</p>

<p>A. It’s not any different for us. This is the biggest team we’ve played, but hopefully with what we do it gives us a little bit of uniqueness. If we can’t run the ball it’s going to be a long day that’s for sure.</p>

<p>Q. How much of a signature win would this be beating a ranked team in a bowl game?</p>

<p>A. It would be a great win for our program. It would give us 10 wins for the season. Any time you can win a game it’s a good thing. </p>

<p>Q. This is the best team you’ve played in a bowl game isn’t it?</p>

<p>A. They very well could be. Texas Tech was ranked when we played them and they were pretty good, but it’s no question that Boston College has a good football team.</p>

<p>Q. Are their any one-on-one match-ups that you guys are keying on?</p>

<p>A. No. It’s a team game and that’s the way we have to approach it.</p>

<p>Q. You were going to spend the last couple of weeks sorting out your fullbacks, have you decided who is going to start?</p>

<p>A. Yeah, Matt Hall is going to start</p>

<p>Q. What led you to that decision?</p>

<p>A. He’s had better practices, he’s a senior and it’s his last game. I just think he deserves to start. They (Hall and Kettani) will both play.</p>

<p>Q. What does that say about Matt Hall’s character to go through the fumbling issue, be dropped to third on the depth chart yet never give up and now he’s back starting in a bowl game?</p>

<p>A. He’s fought through a lot of adversity. He’s been a guy that has been steadfast and worked hard and has never given up. Hopefully he can go out with a big game. That would be great.</p>

134

<p>Posted on GoMids.com:</p>

<p><a href=“MidsDaily.com Football Recruiting”>MidsDaily.com Football Recruiting;

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</p>

135

<p>Navy Senior Fullback Promoted Again</p>

<p>Published in today’s Washington Compost:</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/28/AR2006122801401.html[/url]”>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/28/AR2006122801401.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>

</p>

136

<p>Alabama among the programs being mentioned</p>

<p>Published in the BS:</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/college/football/bal-navy1227,0,5989295.story?coll=bal-college-football[/url]”>http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/college/football/bal-navy1227,0,5989295.story?coll=bal-college-football&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>

</p>

137

<p>Published in today’s Washington Times:</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.washingtontimes.com/sports/20061229-120149-9775r.htm[/url]”>http://www.washingtontimes.com/sports/20061229-120149-9775r.htm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>

</p>

138

<p>*Eagles focus on Navy, not distractions *</p>

<p>Published in today’s BS:</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/college/football/bal-sp.navyfoot29dec29,0,6545917.story?coll=bal-sports-headlines[/url]”>http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/college/football/bal-sp.navyfoot29dec29,0,6545917.story?coll=bal-sports-headlines&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>

</p>

139

<p>Eagles spend time preparing for Mids’ unconventional offense</p>

<p>Published in today’s BS:</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/college/football/bal-sp.navynotes29dec29,0,234935.story?coll=bal-sports-headlines[/url]”>http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/college/football/bal-sp.navynotes29dec29,0,234935.story?coll=bal-sports-headlines&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>

</p>

140

<p>Slowing rushing attack a challenge for Eagles</p>

<p>Published in today’s Boston Globe:</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.boston.com/sports/colleges/football/articles/2006/12/29/this_navy_is_good_on_ground/[/url]”>http://www.boston.com/sports/colleges/football/articles/2006/12/29/this_navy_is_good_on_ground/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>

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