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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Mitchell Northam

12 photos — and some wild stats — from Air Force’s surprisingly impressive win over Navy

A lot of folks expected Air Force to beat Navy on Saturday. After all, the spread was 10.5 points in the Falcons’ favor.

But what was surprising about Air Force’s 17-6 win on Saturday in Annapolis was the way it pulled it off. It was somewhat of a classic service academy game where defense and toughness played a big role, where one or two home run plays made the difference and — while Navy’s backdoor cover failed —  where the under in total points safely cashed.

The final points on the board featured the Falcons’ second-lowest scoring total of the season. Air Force scored via a 94-yard pass (which broke the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium record for the longest play from scrimmage), a pick-six and a 40-yard field goal. And on the other side of the ball, the Falcons made the Midshipmen look woefully inadequate. Navy rushed for just 22 yards — its lowest rushing total since a Sept. 3, 1994 loss to San Diego State, in which the Mids scampered for just 20 yards.

Navy’s defense was good, just not quite good enough. Air Force entered this game with the nation’s best percentage on third down conversions (59.4), but the Mids held the Falcons to just 1-of-13 in those situations. Air Force also averages 334.2 rushing yards per game, but Navy held the Falcons to 137 yards.

And still, Air Force won anyway. The Falcons are just that good this year.

Air Force has also now won four straight games against Navy, its longest winning streak against the Mids in more than two decades. The Falcons won six straight from 1997 to 2002.

With the win, Air Force is 7-0 for the first time since 1997. The Falcons have put themselves in the driver’s seat for not just the Commander-In-Chief’s Trophy, but also a New Year’s Six Bowl bid. Entering this week, the Falcons were the highest ranked undefeated Group of Five team in the AP Top 25 Poll at No. 22. They’re undefeated and a path to an unbeaten season seems in play.

Photos from the game in Annapolis — which broke the attendance record at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium — are below.

Chrome domes

Air Force wore special alternate uniforms against Navy that are intended to honor the Doolittle Raiders. (Photo by Mitchell Northam / For The Win)

 

Air Force wore special alternate uniforms against Navy that are intended to honor the Doolittle Raiders. (Photo by Mitchell Northam / For The Win)

Air Force typically rolls out alternate uniforms for its clashes with Army and Navy. This year, the Falcons chose to honor the Doolittle Raiders. The helmets and jerseys were sharp, even if they came with a problematic rollout.

The Brigade of Midshipmen had fun

Members of the Brigade wave their caps as Navy’s football team takes the field for kickoff against Air Force on Oct. 21, 2023 in Annapolis, MD. (Photo by Mitchell Northam / For The Win)

 

A member of the Naval Academy Marching Band plays the saxophone before the Mids play against Air Force on Oct. 21, 2023 in Annapolis, MD. (Photo by Mitchell Northam / For The Win)

 

Celebrities showed up

Former Navy head coach and College Football Hall of Fame member Paul Johnson was in the building as the Mids played against Air Force on Oct. 21, 2023 in Annapolis, MD. (Photo by Mitchell Northam / For The Win)
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore was at Navy-Marine Corps. Memorial Stadium as the Mids played against Air Force on Oct. 21, 2023 in Annapolis, MD. (Photo by Mitchell Northam / For The Win)

Game action

Despite Troy Calhoun’s doubts — or secrecy — Air Force quarterback Zac Larrier did play as the Falcons faced Navy on Oct. 21, 2023 in Annapolis, MD. (Photo by Mitchell Northam / For The Win)
Navy’s Aiden Calvert gets tackled by a pair of Air Force defenders on Oct. 21, 2023 at Navy-Marine Corps. Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, MD. (Photo by Mitchell Northam / For The Win)

The coaches

Navy coach Brian Newberry leads his team out of the tunnel before facing Air Force on Oct. 21, 2023 in Annapolis, MD. (Photo by Mitchell Northam / For The Win)

While this was the first C.I.C. game for Brian Newberry as a head coach, Air Force’s Troy Calhoun is now 9-8 all-time against the Mids.

Air Force coach Troy Calhoun on the sidelines at Navy-Marine Corps. Memorial Stadium on Oct. 21, 2023 as his Falcons faced the Midshipmen. (Photo by Mitchell Northam / For The Win)

Falcon meets Goat

The live mascots at Air Force and Navy got acquainted with each other on the sidelines in Annapolis, MD on Oct. 21, 2023. (Photo by Mitchell Northam / For The Win)

While the live mascots of both schools got to hang out and chill with each other for a bit, Navy’s, uh, other mascot, got taken for a ride.

A member of the Brigade of Midshipmen takes Bill the Goat for a ride at Navy-Marine Corps. Memorial Stadium on Oct. 21, 2023. (Photo by Mitchell Northam / For The Win)
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