Notre Dame

Air Force's 2015 showdown with Irish could be next door … or far from home

By Kevin Lilley on January 31, 2013 Air Force, Football, Uncategorized

When Navy’s football team faced Notre Dame at a neutral site last year, the Mids had to travel to Dublin. When Air Force faces Notre Dame on a neutral site in 2015, the Falcons might have to travel to … Denver. Sports Authority Field at Mile High is less of a road trip than a weekend errand run from Colorado Springs, but it’s one of three neutral-field locations under consideration for the 2015 game, The Denver Post reports. Other options include Chicago — a short trip from South Bend for the Irish — and Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, better known…

Navy football to face Notre Dame at Redskins' FedEx Field in 2014

By Kevin Lilley on December 13, 2012 Football, Navy, Uncategorized

It’s not Ireland. It’s not even scenic. But it’s much closer to home. The Mids will host Navy at FedEx Field, home of the NFL’s Washington Redskins, on Nov. 1, 2014, the Naval Academy announced Thursday. It’ll be the first time Navy’s played at FedEx since defeating Army there in 2011, and the first time the Mids have met the Irish at FedEx since 1998, when they were on the wrong end of a 30-0 shutout. Next year’s game is set for Nov. 2 in South Bend, Ind. The 2014 Mids will have four games in NFL stadiums — two…

Monday links roundup (hoops edition): Carrier condensation, photo gallery, Midway notes, more

By Kevin Lilley on November 12, 2012 Basketball

Ten quick hits to recap a busy weekend aboard two decommissioned aircraft carriers and a damp gator. 1. The games that finished: To minimal fanfare and with a relatively dry court, Notre Dame’s women’s team defeated the Ohio State women 57-51 on the decommissioned aircraft carrier Yorktown in Charleston, S.C., on Friday afternoon to begin what was supposed to be a four-game weekend shipboard slate. On Sunday in San Diego, the Syracuse men easily dispatched San Diego State 62-49 aboard the decommissioned carrier Yorktown. Between those games, things got interesting. 2. The first washout: The Ohio State and Marquette men…

Week 1 recap: Notre Dame-Navy notes, key Air Force injury, updates from Michigan

By Kevin Lilley on September 4, 2012 Air Force, Army, Football, Navy, Uncategorized

Ten quick hits after a two-continent service academy football opening weekend (events on some continents ended better than others): 1. Despite the on-field outcome, the Navy flight home came with a pleasant surprise: a “water salute” from the workers at Washington Dulles International Airport. Click the link for a picture and to read a few positive comments in the wake of a less-than-positive final score. 2. Not every airport tale is a good one. Check out this horror story from Philly.com about fans headed to Dublin who had their flight delayed, then canceled, then rescheduled for the day of the…

1 day until kickoff: AA’s picture-a-day countdown

By Kevin Lilley on August 31, 2012 Football, Navy, Uncategorized

We’re at the end of the countdown. Let’s celebrate: A day before Notre Dame takes on Navy, here’s a picture all Annapolis fans can appreciate. Quarterback Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada, center, leads the celebration after Navy’s 46-44 triple-overtime win over Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind., on Nov. 3, 2007. The victory broke a Notre Dame win streak stretching back to 1963 (and this guy). The 2007 season would be head coach Paul Johnson’s last in Annapolis, with assistant coach Ken Niumatalolo taking over for the season-ending loss to Utah in the Poinsettia Bowl and holding the job ever since. Navy and…

Navy football preview: Hosting the Irish in Ireland

By Kevin Lilley on August 30, 2012 Football, Navy, Uncategorized

Enough with the suspensions, travel pictures and other off-field issues — here’s what you need to know for Navy football’s season-opening clash with rival Notre Dame: When and where: Saturday, 2 p.m. local time (9 a.m. Eastern), Aviva Stadium, Dublin. TV: CBS (U.S. broadcast), ESPN America (Europe and other international rights), American Forces Network. More details in second item here. Gambling is illegal in most states (but not in Ireland): Notre Dame is a 16-point favorite. Option assessment: Junior Trey Miller has one career start — a 56-14 thrashing at the hands of the Irish last season. With his top…

2 days until kickoff: AA’s picture-a-day countdown

By Kevin Lilley on August 30, 2012 Air Force, Army, Uncategorized

Our last black-and-white photo of the countdown. And what a way to go out: As 66-year-old action shots go, it’s tough to get much better. Somewhere in that melee are two Army Heisman Trophy winners, struggling to a scoreless tie against Notre Dame at Yankee Stadium in “The Game of the Century” on Nov. 9, 1946, at Yankee Stadium. Army fullback Felix “Doc” Blanchard fumbled the ball you see floating midframe; it would be recovered by Army’s Glenn Davis. Blanchard, Army’s first Heisman winner, took the trophy the previous year. Davis won it for the 1946 season — Army’s third-straight…

Navy wideout Turner out for Notre Dame game

By Kevin Lilley on August 29, 2012 Football, Navy

First, Navy senior wideout Brandon Turner was out for failing the academy’s fitness test. Then he was back in. Now, according to multiple reports, he’ll miss the season opener against Notre Dame in Dublin on Saturday. Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo announced the one-game suspension of last year’s leading wideout, calling it an “in-house deal, a family deal” and offering no further information. Niumatalolo previously had said Turner wouldn’t start against the Irish; he’s listed third on the most recent Navy depth chart, released Aug. 23. Junior Matt Aiken, another projected starter at wideout, went down during the annual Blue-Gold…

Tuesday football roundup: Even more Navy links, Dublin TV coverage basics, bowl projections

By Kevin Lilley on August 28, 2012 Air Force, Army, Army-Navy game, Football, Navy

Your Tuesday morning reading list, in three parts, as we come closer to kickoff: 1. Navy in the news. A big week for the Mids continues as the team prepares to fly to Ireland tomorrow. The season-opening Dublin tilt against Notre Dame has drawn extensive media coverage. Among the highlights: The Washington Times looks at Navy starting quarterback Trey Miller’s growth into a leadership role; CBSSports.com examines the Notre Dame running back situation after Cierre Wood’s suspension; and The Associated Press offers its preview — get that, and all your Navy news, here. 2. Navy on the tube. CBS will…

Midweek football links: Garland's gift, academy preseason roundup, uniform news and more

By Kevin Lilley on August 8, 2012 Air Force, Army, Football, Navy, nfl, Uncategorized

Eight quick gridiron hits (four here and four after the jump) as we begin the slow transition from Olympic fever to football frenzy. If symptoms persist, we suggest frequent check-ins with After Action’s picture-a-day countdown to kickoff. 1. Garland’s sabre surprise. Denver Broncos players have been active in charity efforts geared toward healing a community devastated by wildfires. But when it came to Air Force 1st Lt. Ben Garland, who is attempting to earn a roster spot on Denver’s defensive line, the giving was personal. Garland’s teammates gave him two silver sabres and an Air Force football helmet lost to…

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