Army aims to avoid 0-13 season with win over rival
The Black Knights will play for pride while bowl-bound Navy can extend its successful year.
By Associated Press
Published December 6, 2003
PHILADELPHIA - John Mumford is determined to make his mark at Army.
And the interim coach has got one more chance to do it - against Navy, of all teams.
Looking to avoid the first 0-13 season in major college history, the Black Knights are three-touchdown underdogs today against bowl-bound Navy in the 104th meeting between the academies.
"You can't go through the type of season we have and have one game just whisk it away," Mumford said. "It's taken a big chunk out of all us."
Mumford took over for Todd Berry, fired six games into the season. Mumford will not be considered for the permanent job and the rest of his staff likely is on its way out.
"These players have all maintained that professionalism and worked hard in their game prep, even with that looming ahead," he said. "You can focus on the uncertainty or focus on doing your job and coaching these young men."
Army leads the overall series 49-47-7. The Black Knights own the nation's longest losing streak at 14 games and have dropped 23 of their past 24, including last year's 58-12 loss to Navy. "It's a beginning for seniors to go out and serve in the Army with their chest out that they won their last game, that game being Navy," Mumford said. "It's a beginning for the underclassmen, with a win, to take that momentum into their offseason conditioning and spring football."
The game traditionally is the season-ender for the teams, but not this year.
Navy (7-4) has posted a five-win turnaround from a year ago under second-year coach Paul Johnson. The Midshipmen are going to the Houston Bowl on Dec. 30 in their first bowl appearance since 1996. Navy is guaranteed a winning season for just the third time in 20 years and ninth time in 40 years.
The Midshipmen are trying to win the Commander In Chief's Trophy for the first time since 1981. The award is given to the team with the best record in games between the three service academies.
"I'm happy for our players. They've worked awfully hard, and to finally have some success is exciting for me. That's been the most satisfying thing for me so far," Johnson said.
Philadelphia will host the game four times in the next five years, with Baltimore the site of the 2007 game.
Navy embarrassed Army last year behind quarterback Craig Candeto, who set a school record and tied a national mark with six rushing touchdowns, while passing for another.
Navy's point total was the most in the game's history, and the 46-point margin trailed only a 51-0 Navy win in 1973.
"It seemed like everything we did on offense clicked," Candeto said. "As a quarterback, you can't ask for more than that."
Candeto is concerned about the Black Knights playing to end their streak and send their coach out a winner.
"It's a classic case of the underdog coming in," he said. "It's that much more scary because we're used to being the underdog."
