Navy Game Represents A Big Step For Mean Green Football

[MeanGreen61]

Navy game represents big step for Mean Green football

Richard White

Issue date: 11/8/07 Section: SPORTS

The scenario is a familiar one for NT football fans. Each year, NT travels throughout the country to play several premier, historic programs.

The Mean Green traveled to Norman, Okla., to play the University of Oklahoma. In 2006 they traveled to Austin to play the University of Texas and in 2005 they went to Manhattan, Kan., to play Kansas State University. They lost all three games by a combined score 189-24.

However, this Saturday there will be a pivotal change to the formula.

Instead of picking up a paycheck by agreeing to be an out-of-conference game for the more prominent teams, NT will have its turn hosting one of football's most illustrious programs. This Saturday at 3 p.m., NT will oppose Navy at Fouts Field in what is seen as one of the biggest football games ever played in Denton.

"It's great that we get those kinds of teams on to our campus," said Athletic Director Rick Villarreal. "Navy is a name that sparks the tradition of college football."

The game, which will be the first ever meeting between the two teams, also marks the first time a service academy has ever traveled to Denton.

The day itself, Nov. 10, holds special meaning for the Midshipmen since it will be the United States Marine Corp'' 232nd birthday.

NT has planned numerous events, full of pageantry and patriotism, to commemorate this historic game.

"There will be a flyover prior to kickoff and then we'll have the military colors presented at the beginning of the game," Villarreal said. "We'll also have a ceremonial birthday cake for the Marines and then we're going to honor those veterans here that most recently have been injured in the war in Iraq."

Senior linebacker Maurice Holman said he and his teammates are thrilled to get this chance to play in one of the most anticipated home games in NT history.

"This is a huge game and I'm glad I get to play in it before I leave here," Holman said. "We want to hook the fans right now so they can come back next year. We're going to play really well and put on a great show."

Head Coach Todd Dodge said he believes that an NT win will go a long way in convincing other teams to schedule a road game in Denton.

"We're expecting one of the biggest crowds in Fouts Field history," Dodge said. "This is an opportunity to go out and get a great upset. If we can get a win then it's a feather in our cap to get some more of those big games here in the future."

Unlike most collegiate athletic programs, service academies operate in a different manner. The athletes who play sports for Navy, Army or Air Force, do so with the ultimate goal of serving their country. Every Navy player graduates as either a naval officer or a Marine Corps officer.

This greatly affects their recruiting efforts since service academies look for personnel to represent the United States Armed Services more so than individuals who only want to play football. As a result, service academies have higher academic standards and a tougher curriculum compared to other prominent athletic programs.

Freshman quarterback Giovanni Vizza said he believes that, because of their military training, service academy teams have a tougher tenacity to their style of play.

"Navy's just like Air Force and Army in that they come hard every down," Vizza said.

Looking long term, Villarreal said this game is the beginning of what will become the norm in that prominent programs come to NT instead of it always being the other way around. Specifically, NT is currently working on an arrangement to have Army travel to Denton in 2009.

"Our goal is to get a schedule where we have great teams from across the country coming to play on our field," Villarreal said.

Dodge said he believes this historic game will usher in an unforgettable dominant final stretch to the season.

"We've had some disappointments, but the one thing that we're talking about is making this November a very special month so that our seniors and our team can look back 10 years from now, saying we finished out our season the right way."

[GreenN'walinsVet]

nice article and i like that were looking to bring in army in 2009. Thinking about it, if what we have been hearing about future home schedules holds, then the next couple years are going to see some BIG Home field crowds in either Fouts or accross the highway.

[RETSO]

nice article and i like that were looking to bring in army in 2009. Thinking about it, if what we have been hearing about future home schedules holds, then the next couple years are going to see some BIG Home field crowds in either Fouts or accross the highway.

any idea about who's on next year schedule?

[NT80]

nice article and i like that were looking to bring in army in 2009. Thinking about it, if what we have been hearing about future home schedules holds, then the next couple years are going to see some BIG Home field crowds in either Fouts or accross the highway.

I'd prefer to be across the highway in 2009. It would be easier to attract a quality opponent again when their fans enjoy a modern facility.