Army quarterback Trent Steelman scores a touchdown in the second quarter. (Mike Morones/Staff)
Vice President Joe Biden has switched sides here in Philadelphia, so it’s time for five what-to-watch-for halftime items:
1. Noah’s numbers: Navy sophomore Noah Copeland has carried 15 times already for 81 yards and his team’s only touchdown. He’s never carried more than 21 times in a game. Will fatigue set in, or is fatigue not an option in this game?
2. Step up and stop: Aside from Josh Tate’s fumble-forcing hit on Army’s Raymond Maples, neither team has had a breakout defensive play. Who’ll snare the first interception or break off the first big fumble return?
3. Old rivals, new tricks: With the exception of a few big pass plays, neither team has gone too far outside its offensive comfort zone. Do Rich Ellerson or Ken Niumatalolo have anything in the back of the playbook, marked “Emergency Use Only”?
4. Plebe under pressure: Navy quarterback Keenan Reynolds has been stellar so far, but a tie game means he could face something a freshman can only dream of facing — helming a game-winning drive in the Army-Navy game. Is he up to it?
5. OT maybe? It’s been as even as can be so far … are we ready for the rivalry’s first-ever trip to overtime?
