Remember When

I mentioned Jim Young the other day in such a positive light that I do not want his head to swell. And so 25 years after it happened, here is one of the more memorable recent Army-Navy clashes and a game that must still bother Young.

December 7, 1985

Navy 17 Army 7 (Philadelphia): On day he finished 7th in Heisman vote, Navy (4-7) TB Napoleon McCallum (in photo in other action) completed illustrious career with award-worthy show. McCallum rushed for 217y as Midshipmen outgained Army (8-3) on ground by 313y to 192y. Middies' finest moment was 58y drive on last possession that ate more than 5 mins of clock and ended with clinching 26y FG by K Todd Solomon. Navy's D highlight came late in 1st H with GLS that cost Army services of QB Rob Healy, who suffered separated shoulder on 4th-and-1 rush for no gain from Navy 2YL. GLS kept score tied at 7-7, where it stayed until 4th Q when Navy FB Chuck Smith scored winning 5y TD run with 8:26 left. Cadets FB Doug Black was held to 64y rushing to fall 50y short of consecutive 1,000y seasons. McCallum set NCAA records with 7,172y all-purpose and 1,137 plays all-purpose.

Army would go on to beat Illinois in the Peach Bowl to finish with nine wins for the first time since 1949. So Coach Young and his Cadets did gain some satisfaction that season--at least as much as you can get without beating Navy.

Remember When

While every Army-Navy game has great meaning, the ones played during time of war have extra poignancy. With the recent announcement that the number of troops committed to Afghanistan will increase, yesterday's game became important viewing.

Perhaps the most meaningful game in series history occurred in 1963. The Cold War was raging and the United States was about to increase its presence in one particular hot spot-Vietnam. Then the nation was stunned to learn that President John Kennedy (pictured before 1962 Army-Navy game) was shot and killed in Dallas one morning in late November. The Army-Navy game was played two weeks and a day later, one week after it was originally scheduled. Here is our recap from The USA Today Encyclopedia of College Football:

Navy 21 Army 15 (Philadelphia): Game was originally cancelled due to presidential assassination, but widow, Mrs. Jacqueline Kennedy, made special request that it be played. FB Pat Donnelly scored 3 TDs, last at end of 91y drive that gave Navy (9-1) 21-7 lead with less than 11 mins left and Tars appeared on their way to Cotton Bowl. But, unsung Army (7-3) QB Rollie Stichweh ignored his passing O and created all-infantry 52y TD march and added 2-pt run. Stichweh's TD run was shown by CBS as TV's 1^st-ever instant replay. Now back to live action: Stichweh immediately fell on K Dick Heydt's perfect on-side KO at Middies 49YL and Cadets were in business. After 5 meticulous runs and 11y pass to WB Don Parcells, Army used its last timeout with ball at 7YL and 1:38 left. After 2 runs to 4YL, and with 130,000 fans in uproar, ref called time to aid Army's signal-calling. Stichweh made mistake of re-huddling his team, while unaware clock was running. Cadets HB Ken Waldrop's plunge went to 2YL, but time expired with Stichweh hopelessly pleading for quiet so Army could run 4^th down play. No. 2 Navy won its 5^th in row over Army, but in barely surviving Middies might have left some of their zest for upcoming Cotton Bowl showdown with no. 1 Texas.