Air Force defeats Army 42-22 to lock up CIC trophy, bowl eligibility

<p>FRANK SCHWAB
THE GAZETTE</p>

<p>Air Force senior cornerback Reggie Rembert wondered aloud this week about the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy.</p>

<p>How heavy is it? Is it presented to the winning team at the White House or before the trip to Washington? What does it look like in person?</p>

<p>“I’ve never seen it,” Rembert said. “I’ve just seen the picture.”</p>

<p>Rembert will have his answers soon, and Barack Obama awaits the Falcons’ arrival. Air Force took back the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy for the first time since 2002 with a 42-22 win at Army at Michie Stadium on Saturday.</p>

<p>For the record, the trophy is 170 pounds and will arrive at Air Force sometime this week. Robbin Schellhous, the Falcons’ equipment truck driver, is driving the semi from West Point to Annapolis to pick up the trophy at 9 a.m. before heading back to the Springs.</p>

<p>Senior defensive end Rick Ricketts said winning the trophy is the highlight of his career. Like Rembert, he had no idea what to expect when the Falcons go to the White House.</p>

<p>“I don’t know what it’s like,” Ricketts said. “I never had seniors to tell me any stories.”</p>

<p>Indeed, the drought was long for the Falcons.</p>

<p>At 6-4, the Falcons are now bowl eligible. Athletics director Hans Mueh admitted that the Independence Bowl in Shreveport, La., on Dec. 27 looks like the obvious scenario.</p>

<p>“We would be honored and love to go to Shreveport,” Mueh said. “And they are ready to welcome us with open arms. But there’s no such thing as a bad bowl game so I don’t really care. We’ll see how that plays out.”</p>

<p>Before that, the Falcons will appreciate sweeping their service academy rivals.</p>

<p>“It’s good to come up here, and for our kids especially, to create a memory,” Falcons coach Troy Calhoun said. “That’s what they did, through their work and through their dedication. Hopefully what we’ve done is create something these guys can carry with them for quite some time.”</p>

<p>Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy
Originated: 1972</p>

<p>Air Force (17)
1982 1983
1985 1987
1989 1990
1991 1992
1994 1995
1997 1998
1999 2000
2001 2002
2010 </p>

<p>Navy (12)
1973 1975
1978 1979
1981 2003
2004 2005
2006 2007
2008 2009 </p>

<p>Army (6)
1972 1977
1984 1986
1988 1996</p>

<p>Shared Awards (4)
1974 1976 1980 1993</p>