2-1 Navy Midshipmen host the 2-1 Air Force Falcons in the first leg of the round-robin competition between the three Service Academies for the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy, which was won by the Falcons in 2010. The Midshipmen and Falcons have each won seven of the last 14 Commander-in-Chief's trophies, and prior to the Falcons' 14-6 win over the Midshipmen last season, Navy had won eight straight over the Falcons.
Both teams feature strong running attacks, combining to average 770 rushing yards per game. Air Force averages 411.7 on the ground, with running back Asher Clark leading the way with 291 yards on 33 attempts. Quarterback Tim Jefferson has 31 attempts for 150 yards and is tied for the team lead with two touchdown runs. Jefferson doesn't put the ball in the air much, with just 37 attempts on the season, but of those attempts, four have gone for touchdowns.
Quarterback Kriss Proctor guides Navy's triple-option offense, leading the team with 55 rushing attempts for 267 yards and four touchdowns. Running back Alexander Teich has added 260 yards, while junior slot back John Howell adds a big-play element, carrying the ball nine times for 158 yards and three scores.
Game date, time: 12pm ET, Saturday, October 1, 2011
Location: Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, Annapolis, Maryland
TV channel: CBS
Spread: Midshipmen are favored by three points
Series history: Falcons lead the series, 26-17
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