A little late in getting this written and FWIW. Had the pleasure of attending the Navy/ND game in JAX last weekend. Only time have seen either team play in person. Observations....
ND passes the eye-test and then some. I just kept thinking what CMC could do if we had that athletic talent right now (and Manning coaching those OL). They have some receivers that are thoroughbreds. However, they impressed me as a team that has lost its belief. That might explain 3-6.
First half was relatively unemotional play by both teams. Sure there was some, but based on the history of the rivalry, I expected more. Perhaps the approach comes from understanding what you have and what you are dealing with?
ND takes the opening kick, marches down the field for a TD and I am thinking blowout. Navy sacks up and returns the favor 7-7. Now I am getting it.
Size-wise, Navy's front 7 might have been a tad smaller but not to the extent they couldn't go toe-to-toe with ND. I was very impressed with their talent/athleticism. I don't know how they go about their recruiting, but they are getting D1 athletes for sure. Another thing, I bet their coach seldom has to tell them twice about doing something.
It was a great back and forth battle. ND kicks a FG in the 4th to close to 28-27. Everyone is thinking they'll stuff the run and get the ball back with plenty of time.
Navy has a 4th & 1 (or so) around midfield, goes for it and makes it. Everyone still thinks plenty of time for ND to get the ball back. Navy marches down the field. Its 4th down again and about 6 or 7. Navy drops back and hits a slant over the middle. Game over!
Very impressed with Navy. They know what works for them and they stick to it.
Both fan bases were great. We wound up in the mostly ND section. I was reppin' the CYCLONES with my ISU gear. Had a great discussion with an ND fan who'd watched the OU game. He was very complimentary of ISU and CMC. Very high on CMC getting it done at ISU. Another ND fan said he wished we were at an ISU/ND wrestling meet. OK??? But he looked the part. Nice fellow.
Biggest disappointment for all. The Blue Angels were in town for the air show so we were all expecting them to do the flyover. Thousands of eyes turned to the south end zone. Then here come what looked like a couple of FedEx cargo jets. They were Navy Boeing P-8 Poseidons (737 airframe). These are replacing the P-3 Orions. Nice though they get the recognition too!
They had several companies of Midshipmen marching on to the field pre-game. Awesome sight. Guarantee I saw no one in that crew take a knee during the National Anthem!
Classiest thing, at the end of the game, both teams meet. Lots of love given each way. Great mutual respect I think. The Navy team goes over to the stands where the Middies are located and they all sing their alma mater (?). Guess who is lined up behind them... the entire ND team. That was just awesome!
It was a beautiful day and it was incredibly enjoyable to watch a game in which I didn't have a vested interested in the outcome. If you ever have the chance to attend this game, I highly recommend it. I know I will if given the opportunity again.
ND passes the eye-test and then some. I just kept thinking what CMC could do if we had that athletic talent right now (and Manning coaching those OL). They have some receivers that are thoroughbreds. However, they impressed me as a team that has lost its belief. That might explain 3-6.
First half was relatively unemotional play by both teams. Sure there was some, but based on the history of the rivalry, I expected more. Perhaps the approach comes from understanding what you have and what you are dealing with?
ND takes the opening kick, marches down the field for a TD and I am thinking blowout. Navy sacks up and returns the favor 7-7. Now I am getting it.
Size-wise, Navy's front 7 might have been a tad smaller but not to the extent they couldn't go toe-to-toe with ND. I was very impressed with their talent/athleticism. I don't know how they go about their recruiting, but they are getting D1 athletes for sure. Another thing, I bet their coach seldom has to tell them twice about doing something.
It was a great back and forth battle. ND kicks a FG in the 4th to close to 28-27. Everyone is thinking they'll stuff the run and get the ball back with plenty of time.
Navy has a 4th & 1 (or so) around midfield, goes for it and makes it. Everyone still thinks plenty of time for ND to get the ball back. Navy marches down the field. Its 4th down again and about 6 or 7. Navy drops back and hits a slant over the middle. Game over!
Very impressed with Navy. They know what works for them and they stick to it.
Both fan bases were great. We wound up in the mostly ND section. I was reppin' the CYCLONES with my ISU gear. Had a great discussion with an ND fan who'd watched the OU game. He was very complimentary of ISU and CMC. Very high on CMC getting it done at ISU. Another ND fan said he wished we were at an ISU/ND wrestling meet. OK??? But he looked the part. Nice fellow.
Biggest disappointment for all. The Blue Angels were in town for the air show so we were all expecting them to do the flyover. Thousands of eyes turned to the south end zone. Then here come what looked like a couple of FedEx cargo jets. They were Navy Boeing P-8 Poseidons (737 airframe). These are replacing the P-3 Orions. Nice though they get the recognition too!
They had several companies of Midshipmen marching on to the field pre-game. Awesome sight. Guarantee I saw no one in that crew take a knee during the National Anthem!
Classiest thing, at the end of the game, both teams meet. Lots of love given each way. Great mutual respect I think. The Navy team goes over to the stands where the Middies are located and they all sing their alma mater (?). Guess who is lined up behind them... the entire ND team. That was just awesome!
It was a beautiful day and it was incredibly enjoyable to watch a game in which I didn't have a vested interested in the outcome. If you ever have the chance to attend this game, I highly recommend it. I know I will if given the opportunity again.
