Air Force Hosts Navy Football 2018

Air Force Hosts Navy in First CIC Game

In College Football Week 6



White Plains, N.Y., October 4 -- As October begins and football teams are getting comfortable with the talent they have, it is time for the squads from America's military academies to ratchet up the intensity. This week, the Midshipmen of Navy travel to Colorado Springs to play the Falcons in the first game counting for the 2018 Commander-In-Chief's Trophy. Army, coming off an overtime loss at No. 5 Oklahoma two weeks ago and a dominant win over previously undefeated Buffalo last Saturday, is off this week. Sons of the American Legion Radio previews this week's game.



NAVY (2-2) @ AIR FORCE (1-3), Sat, Oct 6, 3:30 p.m. ET (TV: CBS Sports Network)



The Midshipmen had a week to off to prepare for their contest against Air Force. So far, the 2018 campaign has been below expectations for the team from Annapolis. Coming off a 31-30 overtime loss to Southern Methodist, Navy at least came away from its trip to Texas with no serious injuries. Coach Ken Niumatalolo has some positives and some negatives to consider. Navy leads the nation with an average of 349 yards per game. Navy has a narrow edge over Air Force in average points per game (36.0 to 30.5) and average time of possession (36:38 to 36:27).



Starting quarterback Malcolm Perry, who ran for 250 yards against Army in last year's Army-Navy game, is still more likely to run than pass -- he leads the Midshipmen with 86 rushes for 530 yards and six touchdowns (though he has also completed five passes for 106 yards and a touchdown). Substitute signal caller Garret Lewis has completed 11 of 19 passes for 184 yards and a touchdown.



C.J. Williams (six catches for 148 yards and a touchdown) and Taylor Jackson (five catches for 51 yards and a touchdown) are Navy's top receivers. Perry and Nelson Smith (27 runs for 166 yards) are the visitor's most successful runners this season. the defense is anchored by Taylor Heflin (28 tackles) and Hudson Sullivan (23).



After winning its season-opening game, Air Force has dropped three straight. The Falcons have failed to find consistent production at quarterback. Junior Isaiah Sanders (17 completions for 30 attempts for 294 yards with one touchdown and one interception; 119 yards rushing with one touchdown on 48 carries) started the first three games, but missed last week with an injury. Senior Arion Worthman (6-for-16 passing for 77 yards; 26 carries rushing for 29 yards and one touchdown), who saw relief action in two of the first three games, started last week but was replaced by sophomore D.J. Hammond (5-of-16 passing for 71 yards and one touchdown; 36 yards and two touchdowns rushing on 10 carries), who led Air Force downfield on two scoring drives that still left the Falcons with 28-25 loss to Nevada. If healthy, Sanders is expected to start behind center.



Marcus Bennett (12 catches for 243 yards and a touchdown) and Ronald Cleveland (8 catches for 83 yards) are the top Air Force receivers. The top rushers for the hosts are Cole Fagan( 244 yards, two touchdowns on 58 carries) and Kadin Remsberg (169 yards and a touchdown on 31 carries). The Falcons' defense is led by Jeremy Fejedelem (34 tackles) and Brody Bagnall (25 tackles and a fumble recovery), but by Thursday the hosts had failed to name a defensive coordinator for Saturday's game, so there may not be a consistent game plan to try to stop Navy.



Given the strength of future opponents, both teams will regard this game as crucial in their efforts to stay bowl eligible. The loser will likely be forced to admit that its 2018 post-season hopes are gone.