PHILADELPHIA — Army’s Jarrett Mackey hears the same order each day he walks around the barracks at West Point:
Beat Navy and bring home the coveted Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy.
“Every single time I pass them, it’s, ‘Army-Navy. CIC. Let’s go,’ ” Mackey said. “I wouldn’t say it puts more pressure on us, but it’s time. Let’s do this. We almost need to do it. We’ve got to get out there and get the win. It’s been way too long.”
It has been 11 years.
The Army-Navy series not only is the most patriotic rivalry in sports, but also has turned into one of the most one-sided. Navy has won 10 straight, doubling the previous winning streak of either team in a series that stretches back to 1890. It only seems like the Black Knights haven’t won in 122 years. Army last beat Navy in 2001 at Veterans Stadium. The Vet has since been toppled.
So has Army’s all-time lead in the series, which Navy now controls, 56-49-7, heading into today’s 113th meeting.
Mackey, a junior defensive end, wants so badly to be part of the class that ends the Midshipmen’s dominance. That alone is incentive enough. But for the first time in nearly two decades, there is more on the line than just bragging rights.
Winning this game usually makes a season, but this one would mean more than most. The winner will leave Lincoln Financial Field with the Commander-in-Chief’s trophy, awarded to the team with the best record in games among the three service academies. Army and Navy each defeated Air Force, putting the prestigious trophy up for grabs in the regular-season finale for the first time since 2005. Army (2-9) hasn’t hoisted the CIC trophy since 1996. Navy (7-4) won it a school-record seven straight seasons through 2009 before giving way Air Force the last two seasons.
“We didn’t win much, but we won just enough to bring a little extra drama to this game,” Army coach Rich Ellerson said. “From the moment these guys got to West Point, every building and everybody’s front door says, ‘Beat Navy’ and ‘Beat Air Force.’ There is so much on the table for them.”
The Linc will be stuffed with Cadets and Midshipmen standing, bouncing and cheering all the way through what’s billed as “America’s Game.” Beating Army has become an annual tradition for Navy. None of the Mids want to be associated with a team that ended the streak.
“They’re getting closer and closer,” Navy linebacker Brye French said. “The 10 wins have been awesome. But this year is even bigger than all those because it actually means something with the CIC.”