Yes, We're Showing Yale Highlights...

((HT: WTNH-TV))

This wasn't really one of those games that comes up and bites you as a reason to be shown under a normal circumstance

But, it turned out to be one of the games of the day
John Pierson has the context


The HQ has always been one of those groups that enjoys telling the story of the underdog- and when a Division I-AA squad knocks off a Division I squad... doesn't matter who, where, or when... we'll show it...

It's also the 100th anniversary of the Yale Bowl, so it gives us another reason to tell the story of Coach Reno and what he and the Elis pulled off yesterday.

BASTA: Army Cannot Keep Pace With High Flying Cardinal in 35-0 Romp

((HT: BASTA/Ben Leonard))

After a heart-wrenching loss to USC, Stanford needed a morale booster. The Army Black Knights certainly provided that. Despite weak play from the offense in the first half, the defense locked down the Black Knight’s triple option attack, holding them to 207 total yards, 198 of which were on the ground. Stanford punted on four of its first six possessions, a troubling sign for a team that should have physically overwhelmed Army.

Kevin Hogan struggled in the first half, missing several open receivers. The overall numbers in the first half, 12 of 19 passes for two touchdowns, doesn’t seem to be too troubling. However, missing targets against an Army secondary that surrendered 401 yards through the air to a weak Buffalo team is a cause for concern. Hogan tightened it up in the second half, making his final line 20 for 28, with 216 yards and four touchdowns.

Devon Cajuste man-handled the Army secondary, hauling in three touchdown passes from Kevin Hogan. His 23 yard-touchdown capped a 65-yard drive on the opening drive of the game, giving Stanford the early 7-0 lead. No one was in the vicinity of Cajuste, scoring easily on a fade pass from Hogan. Stanford’s offense scuffled after this first drive, crossing midfield only twice on their next four drives. After Alex Carter forced running back Larry Dixon to fumble, linebacker Kevin Anderson recovered it at the Army 15 yard line. Stanford now had a golden opportunity to score with a minute and a half left in the half. Hogan and the offense worked down to the two yard line. On third and goal from the two, Hogan threw a jump ball to Cajuste in the back right corner of the end zone, and Cajuste hauled it in to extend Stanford’s halftime lead to 14-0.

Stanford’s defense had no problems with Army’s unconventional triple option offense, only allowing them to cross midfield three times in nine drives before the starters gave way to the backups in the fourth. Holding Army to nine passing yards may seem impressive, but the Black Knight offense is built to run, and scarcely passes. Army only threw five passes, completing three and throwing one interception. A.J. Tarpley picked off backup quarterback A.J. Shurr early in the fourth quarter, ending an Army drive that had reached the Stanford 42 yard line. Stanford’s defense has now allowed fewer than 30 points in 26 straight games, dating back to a 54-48 overtime shootout win over Arizona in 2012.

Here's the recap from The Farm
((HT: Pac-12 Network))


Notes: Stanford will have a bye next Saturday, and take on Washington on September 27th at a time to be determined. The Cardinal moved to 8-0 under coach David Shaw following a loss, and hasn’t lost consecutive games since 2009, Andrew Luck’s first season starting for the Cardinal. Running back Remound Wright did not play Saturday because of an undisclosed reason, likely a disciplinary suspension.

Eagles Giving 6-9 Army Vet A Shot At DE

((HT: ESPN))

As well they should...

Alejandro Villanueva was a 6-9 tight end for Army who then went to serve his country in Afghanistan...

Ashley Fox chronicles his story hyah along with a hopeful next step- catching on with the Philadelphia Eagles as a converted defensive lineman.

Prim Siripipat catches up with Villanueva for an update


And the HQ hopes he makes it...

Former Canes Hoops Star Now ATL Firefighter

((HT: WSB-TV))

For those of you who really remember your college hoops, you remember Tim James and his physical presence at the University of Miami (FL). He had a cup of coffee with the Knicks in the NBA before enlisting in the army.

Now, he's taking on his next life challenge- being a rookie firefighter with the city of Atlanta...

Wendy Corona did the story and looked up a lot...

DEVELOPING: Service Academies WiIl Play This Weekend

((HT: CFT/McGuire))

But for now, it looks like a one time only deal...

A senior defense official, who isn't going on record with his or her name, says Army will get to play Boston College and Air Force will play Navy after all...

Future games will be evaluated as the government continues to be in lockdown.

The games are paid for with non-appropriated funds, and have been long planned. The late review was coming from the lawyers of the service academies just to make sure that any appropriated funds were not going to be used in the process...

In a very classy move (and a very pee-ahr driven one, the HQ is sure), United Airlines stepped up and told Air Force that they could fly for free. And Boston College even told Army that they would pitch in on expenses...

Navy made it official on the Twitter machine:

#NavyFootball game on Saturday against Air Force is a GO. Kickoff 11:30 AM on CBS. No word on the rest of the sports this weekend.

Here was the original story from Denver when the thought that there wouldn't be any more game came to the fore...
((HT:TheDenverChannel.com))

Armed Services Games Might Be Played Regardless Of Shutdown

((HT: ESPN))

Through other sources of funding that have nothing to do with government dollars...

According to people who have talked to Brett McMurphy, all that's lacking ar ethe lawyers final sign off and the sign-off of Secretary of defense Chuck Hegel...

"The games (Air Force at Navy, Army at Boston College) have been approved to be played by everyone at the service academies, even the lawyers," the source told McMurphy. "Everyone is in. All the boxes are checked, just waiting for approval by the Secretary of Defense, who has final say, which would make it official."

The source also said that costs would be taken care of by "non-government funding."

"Not a dime of expenses: travel, game expenses, anything. Not one dime of government money will be spent."

The problem: Navy sports are all done through unappropriated funds while Army and Air Force have some appropriations...

Mark Schlabach discusses from his home...


There is an exception... Division III Coast Guard...

Their coaches are all staff and not on furlough- even as equipment staff, the sports information director and other civilian employees in the athletic department are.

The HQ would recommend showing some support for them with their home game against Western New England if you're around on Saturday...

Government Shutdown Effects Service Academy Football (As Of Right Now UPDATED)

Air Force Associate AD Troy Garnhart says it's possible Saturday's football game vs. Navy might not take place due to the government shutdown.

In addition, head coach Troy Calhoun's weekly press conference with selected players has been wiped away from today's rundown of events...

The game itself is sold out and is set for broadcast on CBS Sports Network...

Here was the message the Commander in Chief released early this morning related to the armed services and their duties as the government is shut down for the first time in 17 years...
((HT: White House Video))


The Army-Boston College game could also be in the swing...

AD Garnhart told the Capitol Gazette:

Garnhart explained that upper-class cadets at the Air Force Academy are considered military personnel, which means they could be subject to travel restrictions under the shutdown.

The final decision to decide whether or not the Air Force-Navy game will be wiped out will come no later than noon Thursday...

More as civilization as we know it grinds to a halt...

PM UPDATE: The Department of Defense released a statement about all of this at the Air Force...

At this time, travel for all intercollegiate athletics is cancelled – this includes the Air Force-Navy game on Saturday, 5 Oct.

The Air Force Academy Falcons will attempt to play all home intercollegiate athletic contests but those may be cancelled, as well. Academy officials are working with Mountain West Conference officials, those teams the Falcons were scheduled to play and officials at The Department of the Air Force to make up as many games as possible.

And from the Navy:

As a result of the government shutdown, the Department of Defense has suspended all intercollegiate athletic competitions at the Service Academies.

The Naval Academy will cancel contests as appropriate and notification on Saturday's football game against Air Force will be made public prior to 12 noon on Thursday.

Tonight's soccer game against Howard has been cancelled. It is not known at this time if the game will be made up or not.