Navy seeks to continue winning trend against Army

PHILADELPHIA – The Army-Navy series has long held its lofty spot as sport’s most patriotic rivalry, with pride, prestige and the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy at stake.

Also on the line is Navy’s 11-game series winning streak, which has turned the annual regular-season finale into one of sport’s most lopsided rivalries.

Navy (7-4) has not only defeated Army 11 straight times, it has won 13 of the last 14 and 14 of 16. Navy’s Ken Niumatalolo is trying to become the second coach in Middies history to start 6-0 against the Black Knights. With a win, Navy would retain the CIC Trophy, awarded to the team with the best record in games among the three service academies, for the second straight season.

“This is the game we want to win,” Niumatalolo said, “but we don’t talk about the streak.”

This game usually ends the season for Army (3-8). Navy has one more game left against Middle Tennessee (8-4) in the Dec. 30 Armed Forces Bowl at Fort Worth, Texas.