<p>Anyone have idea about how to go about garnering some tix for this game?</p>
<p>WP,</p>
<p>Single Game Prices (Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium): Sideline: $28
End Zone: $28
GA/Hill: $20
Billy the Kid Hill (12 and under): $10 </p>
<p>Purchase tickets online at:</p>
<p>Thanks very much.</p>
<p>*Third-Straight year a member of the 7th Company is selected *</p>
<p>Nov. 9, 2006</p>
<p>ANNAPOLIS, Md.-Navy head football coach Paul Johnson announced Thursday that Rich Lippincott (Sr./Whittier, Calif.) of the 7th Company has been selected to be the 12th Mid for next Saturday's game against Temple (12:30 p.m., CSTV). Lippincott will be a member of the kickoff team when Navy kicks off for the first time in next Saturday's game. Clint Desjarlais (Anchorage, Alaska) of the 2nd Company was selected as the alternate. </p>
<p>This is the third year that Johnson has invited a member of the Brigade to be on the kickoff team and the previous two selections also came from the 7th Company. John McLaughlin participated in two kickoffs against Delaware in 2004, while Brad Bowlin ran down for the opening kickoff against Temple in 2005. </p>
<p>"I was very impressed with all the young men that came forward to try out," said Johnson. "It was a very tough decision, but in the end the staff determined that Rich would be the guy that we would go with." </p>
<p>Lippincott will also have the honor of wearing No. 12, as 1963 Heisman Trophy winner Roger Staubach has given his permission for his number to be unretired once per year for the 12th Mid. </p>
<p>Lippincott, who stands 6-0 and weighs 225 pounds, came to the Naval Academy to play baseball and was a pitcher for two seasons. At California High School he was a four-year letterwinner in baseball and lettered three times in football as a cornerback. Lippincott's father, Jack, is an engineer for NASA and his mother, Merrilea, is a teacher.</p>
<p>Published in today's BS:</p>
<p>
[quote]
In his debut as a starter Oct. 28, he drove Navy to two touchdowns during the first half of a 38-14 loss to Notre Dame, and sophomore quarterback Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada looked and felt as if he belonged in the role. </p>
<p>After running Navy's offense in lopsided, back-to-back victories since then, Kaheaku-Enhada has put a firm grip on the starting job and infused the Midshipmen with more confidence as they gear up for the season's final stretch....
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Hampton still leading Navy football team after injury</p>
<p>Nov. 13, 2006</p>
<p>Brian Hampton: Play Every Play Like It's Your Last</p>
<p>No season should end this way, especially when it's your last. </p>
<p>Not when you've worked so hard, waited so long, performed so well. </p>
<p>Those throws you made as a kid in the backyard, tossing one football after another into the tire your father had hung to help you master the art of a tight spiral. </p>
<p>That unwavering belief in your potential - always convinced you were cut out to be a Division I-A quarterback - even as you bided your time, bouncing from one position to the next. </p>
<p>Days such as this are supposed to validate all of that. </p>
<p>To stand under center before a record crowd soaked in sunshine, looking across the line at an unbeaten and nationally-ranked opponent. It's the kind of stage you dreamed about. </p>
<p>Only, fate doesn't always see fit to allow an outcome to equal the opportunity. </p>
<p>Sadly, sometimes as little as a single step can suck the life out of a vibrant Saturday and silence an entire stadium. </p>
<p>As it did this time, on a mid-October afternoon, when the great majority of the 36,918 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium gathered with the belief that Brian Hampton could lead his Midshipmen over Rutgers. </p>
<p>Based on the season to date, their faith was justified. </p>
<p>A senior who'd once returned kickoffs and briefly resided at slot back, Hampton helped Navy win five of its first six games. He'd gained at least 100 yards on the ground four times and was ranked among the national leaders in rushing (13th) and scoring (8th). </p>
<p>Within the previous two weeks, Hampton amassed more than 320 yards of total offense in a rout of Connecticut and scored two touchdowns in an always-emotional victory over Air Force. </p>
<p>But on the Mids' 11th play against the Scarlet Knights, Hampton reached Navy's 33-yard line with his sixth and final carry of the day. </p>
<p>"I saw Brian get tackled, but I didn't see anything too (extraordinary)," recalled slot back Trey Hines, who wound up among the players closest to Hampton after he was tackled by Rutgers' Ramel Meekins. "I heard this screaming and I tried to figure out who was screaming. I looked down and saw Brian holding his knee." </p>
<p>For athletic trainer Dr. Jeff Fair, it was that very same sound - rather than sight of the play as it unfolded - that prompted his quick attention to Hampton as he lay on the turf, not far from the Navy bench. </p>
<p>"If the play comes close to the sidelines, you're usually blocked by the other plays," Fair explained. "I heard Brian yell and I recognized his voice. That's when I took off."
Immediately accompanied by two of the team's doctors - as Hines frantically waved them to Hampton's aid - Fair discovered something he's never seen before in more than 30 years ministering to football players. </p>
<p>Not only was Hampton's left knee separated, his lower leg was rotated to the inside, causing what Cmdr. Mike Battaglia termed a "very catastrophic" injury. </p>
<p>Battaglia, one of the team's orthopedic surgeons, reset the leg, before Hampton was placed on a stretcher, carted off the field and taken to Anne Arundel Medical Center. The latter, according to Fair, to make sure Brian still had blood circulation. </p>
<p>Nearly 10 minutes after he'd gone down under the weight of the 275-pound Meekins, Hampton was driven away to the sound of his name being chanted by about 4,000 Midshipmen in attendance. </p>
<p>It was like a Bronx chorus of Yankees' fans serenading their favorite player by chanting "Der-ek Jeter, De-rek Jeter..." Instead, as the injured quarterback lifted his index finger to the Brigade, what he heard was, "Bri-an Hampton, Bri-an Hampton..." </p>
<p>The rhythmic sound of those syllables had ended the eerie silence that suddenly reflected the mood of his teammates. </p>
<p>"I was scared," says Hines. "I knew right away that he was done and would be hurt for a long time, so it upset me a lot." </p>
<p>"It kind of took the life out of us a little bit," said classmate Matt Pritchett, a starting offensive tackle. </p>
<p>"It was a hard thing to see and you could tell it in everybody's face," center and co-captain James Rossi says. "Some of the guys were getting tears from it." </p>
<p>In the few hours they remained on the field against the Scarlet Knights, the Mids never recovered, losing by a 34-0 final. But in the few weeks since, they've rebounded extremely well. </p>
<p>A primary reason is the one player who never shed a tear.</p>
<p>"I don't cry over spilled milk," Hampton said at practice the following Monday, when - despite hobbling around on crutches - he was already in his de facto role of coach and confidant for successor Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada. "(Injuries) happen in football. </p>
<p>"I think you have to expect it every time you walk onto the field. We're not out here to play patty cake with each other, we're actually hitting each other. What we have on our goal board is to, 'Play every play like it's your last.' I don't have any regrets with the way I played. I played like every play was going to be my last." </p>
<p>As it turned out, he saved his best for last. </p>
<p>Making his first career start in the season opener opposite East Caroina, Hampton rushed for 149 yards and a touchdown. He went on to score at least once each of the next five games as well. </p>
<p>At Connecticut, before running for 182 yards and three touchdowns, Hampton delivered a 77-yard pass to Reggie Campbell for the game's first points. Then, a week later, he surpassed the century mark yet again and scored twice at Air Force. </p>
<p>Hampton shrugs off the mention of numbers putting him on pace for one of the greatest seasons by any option quarterback in Navy history. He's much more interested in making an impression that can't be quantified in a box score - but can only be felt on the field. </p>
<p>"(I'd like to be remembered as) a hard worker and a team player," Hampton says. "That I was a good leader. Hopefully, that shined through." </p>
<p>Without question, it did. </p>
<p>"Brian had a great field presence and could really lead all the other 10 positions and get them going in the same direction," says Pritchett. "If someone was down, Brian was there to pick him up." </p>
<p>Often that someone, it seems, was the very sophomore who's taken his place at quarterback. </p>
<p>In the immediate aftermath of Hampton's injury, no one appeared more emotionally affected than Kaheaku-Enhada. </p>
<p>"I didn't know what to think," Kaipo-Noa said in the press conference after the Rutgers game, described in some reports as fighting back tears. "I was in awe. It's hard to see someone like your brother ... When he went down, I didn't know what to do." </p>
<p>What Hampton decided on revealed remarkable selflessness and maturity for a young man injured less than two weeks before his 22nd birthday.</p>
<p>"I really just want to do two things, either get back on the field as quickly as I possibly can or get my coach's whistle," he told reporters. "Right now, I'm more or less trying to help get Kaipo ready for the next game." </p>
<p>Which - at the time - meant playing Notre Dame on national television and in front of roughly 70,000 fans in Baltimore. </p>
<p>Of course, Hampton would have been there in person, had he not spent the previous Thursday undergoing surgery performed by Cmdr. Battaglia and Dr. John Wilckens. Unable to attend M&T Bank Stadium, he remained in Annapolis. </p>
<p>At his side was older brother, Brad, while - at Brian's urging - his parents, Charles and Tonie, and another brother, Shawn, took their seats in the crowd. Brian never saw any reason for them not to go. It was important, he believed, for his parents to show their support of his teammates. </p>
<p>There were occasional phone calls throughout the game, checking on their son and inquiring about the replays on television. At the same time, Hampton could only imagine dialing up a direct line to Keheaku-Enhada. </p>
<p>"I wish he and I had a hotline, where he could get the red phone and I could let him know what I'm seeing," Hampton said with a chuckle, admitting that in his mind he managed the game against the Irish from the living room of his sponsors' home. </p>
<p>But as much as overhead cameras and slow motion replays might make reading the defense a bit less complicated, there's no doubt where Hampton would prefer to be. </p>
<p>"Your first instinct, being a ballplayer, is to want to get out on the field and contribute," he says. "It stinks, but I'm happy for my teammates and happy I can contribute in a way that possibly may give them an edge on winning a game." </p>
<p>Pritchett believes that edge exists, primarily though Hampton's influence on an understudy who's rushed for six touchdowns and passed for three more in Navy's last two wins over Duke and Eastern Michigan. </p>
<p>"I think he's helped (Kaipo-Noa) a lot," Pritchett observes. "You can tell since the Notre Dame game (on October 28) that Kaipo's calmed down a lot. I think Brian's had a lot to do with that - always in his ear, telling him he's doing a 'good job' and calming him down a lot." </p>
<p>Really, it's part of Hampton's new role, making the best out of what was a bad break. </p>
<p>"My team's still playing," he says. "I'm still part of this team. I just contribute in a different fashion."</p>
<p>"You see (Brian) out here at practice almost every day," says Pritchett. "He's in the locker room and he's got a smile on his face." </p>
<p>"Brian's spirits are all together," adds Hines, who notes that when Hampton isn't propping teammates up, he's cutting them down. "He comes out here and he's still cracking jokes and making fun of everybody. You know, the same old, same old." </p>
<p>That Hampton remains upbeat - far more likely to clean up than cry over spilled milk - reflects the depth of someone who won't be concealed by the uniform or helmet he's worn the last four years.</p>
<p>"You have to look at the bigger picture," Hampton said. "This is just a small portion of my life. Don't get me wrong, football has guided me in every single direction I've wanted to go and it's gotten me to places I didn't even think I could be at. But it was a means to an end. </p>
<p>"My career is with the Navy or Marine Corps - I really want to be a Marine Corps officer. But my career will just begin in a few years, it's not begun yet. I look toward the bigger picture and try to focus on that." </p>
<p>Claiming that he considers physical training to be - brace yourself - "fun" and that he actually enjoys running before the sun rises, Hampton figures life in the Corps is better suited to his personality. But while many of his teammates are interested in the infantry, Hampton's eyes are on aviation. </p>
<p>"I don't think there's one kid who hasn't dreamed of soaring above the ground," Hampton says. "This has been a dream since I was a child." </p>
<p>And while the severity of Hampton's injury caused initial concern that his could be a dream denied - or at least delayed - he has seemingly removed any sliver of doubt. </p>
<p>Thanks to the condition of his body and state of his mind. </p>
<p>After surgery, doctors told Hampton the procedure went better than expected - in large part because he went into the operating room in such great shape. He has since come out of it - having had his lateral collateral ligament (LCL) reattached - in an advanced state of recovery. </p>
<p>"You see him walking around here and if you don't look real closely, he doesn't even limp a whole lot," says Fair, pointing out in his experience that LCL injuries are almost exclusive to wrestlers and not football players. "(Brian's) progressing way above or way beyond what we expected right now. </p>
<p>"I expect him to be in good shape for commissioning." </p>
<p>Hampton spends close to three hours a day on a continuous passive motion (CPM) machine, designed to increase one's range of motion. There again, his development is accelerated well beyond the norm. </p>
<p>The time invested and pain that accompanies Hampton's effort to recuperate have made any academic challenges much more strenuous - whether caused by missed classroom lectures, labs or exams. </p>
<p>"I've always been a serious student because I know this is what's going to help me further down the line," he says, reminding one that mechanical engineering textbooks aren't necessarily written to be easily understood. "The only way you really start to understand is being in class and getting the lecture from teachers." </p>
<p>If putting in overtime is what it takes to get caught up, so it will be done for someone who hasn't enjoyed many - if any - shortcuts in his football career. </p>
<p>When he came to Annapolis, Hampton spent the fall of his freshman year returning kickoffs, before taking a detour to the slot back position and getting his shot at being a quarterback. </p>
<p>So intent on proving himself worthy of the position, Hampton spent most of the 2004 season as the last one off the practice field. As reporters assembled to talk to teammates, Hampton constantly refined his throwing motion, throwing footballs well into the darkness of November and December weeknights. </p>
<p>Reminded of his extra passing recently, Hampton harkened back to his youth as the son of a career Air Force man who'd played football at North Carolina. Charles Hampton eventually retired as a master sergeant. </p>
<p>He remains a mentor to his youngest son, having helped Brian build structure into his life at an early age. </p>
<p>"My parents were fair," Hampton says of Charles and his wife, Tonie. "(My dad) let you know your bounds and let you do whatever you wanted in between those...He just kept it real." </p>
<p>In the family's back yard, Charles set up a tire in front of a screen and gave Brian a handful of footballs to take aim - on the tire, and on the goals in his life. </p>
<p>A self-described "pee wee", Hampton kept practicing his passing motion, much as he would do years later as a sophomore at the Navy Academy. </p>
<p>Injury may have caused Brian Hampton to throw his final pass for the Mishipmen. But as he said, football is just a means to an end. </p>
<p>And the way he's handled himself since - revealing much more about the person than the player - the end justifies the means. </p>
<p>"I don't like to disappoint people I really care about," Hampton says. "That's one big driving factor in me."</p>
<p>Mids play host to Temple in a 12:30 p.m. contest at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium</p>
<p>Nov. 13, 2006</p>
<p>Game Day Data. Coming off a 49-21 rout of Eastern Michigan, Navy (7-3) plays host to Temple (1-10) on Senior Day Saturday afternoon at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium (34,000). Kickoff is set for 12:30 p.m. and the game will be televised nationally by College Sports Television (CSTV). Pete Medhurst and Scott Zolak will serve as the game announcers, while Sheehan Stanwick-Burch will handle the sideline reports. </p>
<p>Bob Socci and Omar Nelson will call the game on the Navy Football Radio Network which includes WBAL in Baltimore (1090 AM, <a href="http://www.wbal.com)%5B/url%5D">www.wbal.com)</a>, WTWP in Washington (1500 AM and 107.7 FM), WNAV in Annapolis (1430 WNAV, <a href="http://www.wnav.com)%5B/url%5D">www.wnav.com)</a>, WFED in Washington (1050 AM, <a href="http://www.federalnewsradio.com)%5B/url%5D">www.federalnewsradio.com)</a>, WLRT in Norfolk (1490 AM, <a href="http://www.1490theoutlaw.com)%5B/url%5D">www.1490theoutlaw.com)</a>, WTRI in Frederick, Md. (1520 AM, <a href="http://www.vegasradiowtri.com)%5B/url%5D">www.vegasradiowtri.com)</a>, ESPN Radio in Jacksonville, Fla. (1460 AM, <a href="http://www.espn1460.com)%5B/url%5D">www.espn1460.com)</a>, Sirius Satellite Radio (Channel 107) and navysports.com. Air time is 11:30 a.m. with the Navy Football Pregame Show. </p>
<p>Joe Miller and Pete Medhurst will host the Navy Football Tailgate Show on 1430 WNAV starting at 10:30 a.m. </p>
<p>Saturday's fly-by will feature two EA-6B *******s from Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 2 base at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C. Navy's 31 seniors will be honored in a pre-game ceremony.</p>
<p>Reserves help Navy forge ahead</p>
<p>Published in today's Annapolis Capital:</p>
<p>
[quote]
Starting quarterback Brian Hampton suffers a season-ending injury and backup Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada takes over and does not miss a beat directing the triple-option.</p>
<p>Starting fullback Adam Ballard leaves the game with an ankle injury early in the first quarter and backup Eric Kettani comes in to provide a similar inside running presence....
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Following Practice On Monday, Nov. 12 </p>
<p>Nov. 13, 2006</p>
<p>In Attendance: Bill Wagner (Annapolis Capital), Bob Socci (Navy Radio), Ron Snyder (Baltimore Examiner) </p>
<p>Wagner: Why don't you talk a little bit about Temple? </p>
<p>Johnson: I think they are a really young team. They are athletic and can run around a little bit. Certainly they have gotten better as the year has gone along. They have played a killer schedule and in games they haven't been overmatched, like Clemson, Louisville and Penn State, they've played very well. </p>
<p>Wagner: What kind of system is Al Golden trying to install? </p>
<p>Johnson: They are multiple on offense. They run the NCAA offense, they do a little bit of everything. Defensively we will probably get an eight-man front. </p>
<p>Snyder: Out of necessity, because of injuries, you have shown some depth this year. Can you talk about some of those guys like Kettani and Kaipo? </p>
<p>Johnson: We have had a lot of guys contribute. It started in the secondary early on when we got some guys hurt. We have had guys come in and play at almost every position. It's a positive anytime the young guys can step in and do a good job. It's good for the team and good for them. </p>
<p>Snyder: What does it say about where this program is now? </p>
<p>Johnson: I don't know. I think we have less numbers, but more quality which was what we were trying to shoot for to begin with. Hopefully we've made some progress that way. We are still not where we would like to be, but we've made progress. </p>
<p>Socci: How are Rossi and Sharp? </p>
<p>Johnson: They are going to be questionable. Curtis is probably the biggest reach. There's a chance that Rossi and Ballard will play. We will have to see. They are day-to-day. </p>
<p>Wagner: What happened to Sharp? </p>
<p>Johnson: Ankle. All those guys hurt their ankles. </p>
<p>Wagner: Was there something weird with the turf? </p>
<p>Johnson: It was the same turf we play on. It just happened that way. </p>
<p>Wagner: The seniors with all the great things they've done winning their final home game would be a nice touch wouldn't it? </p>
<p>Johnson: It sure would. I think that's a great goal to aspire too. We have played awfully well at home until this year and we let it slide a little bit and we need to get it back. We've lost two games at home this year and we haven't done that in a long time. </p>
<p>Socci: It seems strange, but it's been a month since you've played at Navy-Marine Corps. </p>
<p>Johnson: Yeah, it's been a long time. It sure has. It will be nice to get back home. </p>
<p>Socci: What do you think it says about the program that for a game in late November there have already been over 30,000 tickets sold and this game could be a sellout if all goes well this week? In years past you couldn't get this kind of turnout in November. </p>
<p>Johnson: I think it's great. Certainly winning some has helped and I think you have to give the administration some credit for promoting and marketing and all those kind of things, but we all know that winning is the biggest cure all to everything. Hopefully a lot of fans will show up for this senior class. They have done a lot for Navy football and it would be great to send them off the right way. </p>
<p>Snyder: It seems like the offense is starting to peek at the right time of the year, especially the passing game. </p>
<p>Johnson: We just happened to have a game where we hit some big plays on play-action. We only threw the ball nine times, but we completed seven of them. We've had some of that there all year. We just haven't been able to execute it. We haven't protected, or we didn't throw it where we could catch it or we didn't catch it. There are a lot of reasons. Saturday he did a nice job of throwing it where they could catch it and the receivers made some nice catches and for the most part we protected so he could throw. It was a positive and hopefully we can build on it. If people crowd the line of scrimmage against us we need to be able to throw play-action. It was a little disappointing that we had to throw it at the one-foot line to get it in the end zone. I wasn't real happy about that, but it was a play we've carried for a while and we hadn't run it all year. Luckily for us it was pretty much wide open. </p>
<p>Socci: On the first touchdown you scored Kaipo tried to dive in from the left side and didn't make it and then you sent a play in and he took it into the end zone, did you see something on the previous play? </p>
<p>Johnson: Yeah, he should have gone on the previous snap where he took the second one. That's where the play was called. I told the guy running in the play to tell him to get his ass over there where it belonged. The next time he followed the fullback and he got in. </p>
<p>Snyder: Let's talk about the 12th man and the competition for it. It's really been a nice thing the last couple of years. </p>
<p>Johnson: You know it's been a lot of fun and I will tell you what, we started out this year where we were only going to have one guy, like we've done the last couple of years, and an alternate in case he gets hurt. The kid that's the alternate came out here every day last week and ran and he's out here again today and I'm going to let them both cover a kick. That kid has worked his tail off. </p>
<p>Wagner: Will it be on the same kick? </p>
<p>Johnson: No, it won't be on the same one. </p>
<p>Wagner: They will each cover a kick? </p>
<p>Johnson: Yes, they will each cover a kick. </p>
<p>Wagner: Is the Sports Information Director going to announce the other guy? </p>
<p>Strasemeier: It was in the first press release if you would ever read a release. </p>
<p>Socci: Will they both wear 12? </p>
<p>Johnson: Yes. </p>
<p>Socci: Do they get to keep the jersey? </p>
<p>Johnson: We take them back. Come on Bob, that's an NCAA violation. </p>
<p>Wagner: You've talked about hitting your stride at the end of the year, are you seeing that? Do you think the offense is starting to click as well as it has in previous seasons? </p>
<p>Johnson: I don't know about all that stuff. I don't know. It's a good question. Historically our teams have always been decent at the end of the year. I think the more you do stuff and the more you rep it guys get experience. We could get shut out on Saturday. Who knows? Historically we've done better at the end of the year. It was the same way at Georgia Southern and Hawaii. </p>
<p>Wagner: Did you see that Rutgers jumped to No. 6? </p>
<p>Johnson: Yeah, it's great. It helps our strength of schedule. Everybody talks about our schedule and we should play a tougher schedule, but we've played two teams that are in the Top 10, East Carolina is winning Conference USA, UMass won the Atlantic 10 and Tulsa is second in Conference USA. People are crazy if they don't think that's a tough schedule. Who do they want us to play? People say we used to play Michigan and Penn State and my question to that is did you beat them? What good is it to play them if you don't beat them? I don't know what our strength of schedule is right now, but if you looked it would be pretty good and when the schedule was made nobody knew that Stanford was going to have a down year. Our schedule could have been brutal. UConn is having a little bit of an off year, but they may still finish .500. They just beat Pitt on Saturday and they gave Rutgers all they wanted. I think we've played a pretty tough schedule. </p>
<p>Socci: In those days when Michigan and Penn State played Navy, Ensigns made as much money as first round draft choices. </p>
<p>Johnson: I don't know about all that, I just know they didn't win. You can go back and look but I don't think they ever beat Michigan or Penn State. Maybe they did. </p>
<p>Socci: They beat Penn State in 1967.</p>
<p>Improving blocking becomes priority for slotback, possibly Navy's fastest player</p>
<p>Published in the BS:</p>
<p>
[quote]
That first year away was trying enough for Navy sophomore slotback Shun White. He had a hard time adjusting to the cold weather in Newport, R.I., home of the Naval Academy Prep School. He badly missed his family and friends, and for the first time, he could not indulge his craving for Memphis barbecued ribs.</p>
<p>Then came his plebe year in Annapolis, where White struggled at times adjusting to the ultra-orderly details imposed on him at Bancroft Hall, home of the Brigade of Midshipmen....
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Published in today's Annapolis Capital:</p>
<p>
[quote]
Fans in attendance at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on Saturday should stand up and cheer just a little bit louder during the annual "Senior Day" festivities.</p>
<p>This senior class, which entered the academy in 2003, has helped bring pride and glory back to the Navy football program while making history in numerous areas....
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Following Practice On Tuesday, Nov. 14 </p>
<p>Navy head football coach Paul Johnson</p>
<p>Nov. 14, 2006</p>
<p>In Attendance: Bill Wagner (Annapolis Capital), Gary Lambrecht (Baltimore Sun) </p>
<p>Wagner: So what's your thought on Ballard? Is it too early to make a determination on his status? </p>
<p>Johnson: We'll see. I don't know. He will have to make a lot of improvement between now and Saturday to play. I would be surprised if all three of them (Ballard, Rossi, Sharp) played. </p>
<p>Lambrecht: Was Rossi in red today? </p>
<p>Johnson: Yeah, all three. </p>
<p>Wagner: If Ballard can't go are you comfortable with Kettani and Hall? </p>
<p>Johnson: Yeah. </p>
<p>Lambrecht: Is the strategy going to be to just let them get ready for Army and the bowl game and not play them against Temple? </p>
<p>Johnson: No. If they can play, they will play, and if they can't, they won't and we will play somebody else. That's just the way it is. There is no use stressing over something you can't control. </p>
<p>Lambrecht: You sell very well to the players the notion that they can't overlook anybody and they've pushed that through very impressively twice in a row and now you are staring at one more, the hapless Temple Owls. </p>
<p>Johnson: All our guys have to do is look at the tape. They have some good players. Just look back to last year. They pushed us to the limit. They were ahead of us at the half. We know who we are. We can't just show up and beat anybody? I think we've figured that out the last few years. </p>
<p>Wagner: Referring a little more to what we were talking about yesterday with the schedule, because I did read something somewhere that said the schedule jumps up dramatically next season. Do you see that? Do you see the schedule being all that tougher next season? </p>
<p>Johnson: I don't even know who we play next season. </p>
<p>Wagner: Pittsburgh, Wake. </p>
<p>Johnson: UConn just beat Pittsburgh so are they any tougher than UConn? I'm not even going to talk about the schedule anymore. It's ridiculous. It's a joke. </p>
<p>Lambrecht: But aren't you ranked something like 40th in schedule strength? I mean it's very respectable. </p>
<p>Johnson: I bet their have haven't been a lot of times where Navy has played two teams ranked in the Top 6. </p>
<p>Wagner: I think people probably look at the bottom end of it and don't look at it as a whole. </p>
<p>Johnson: You know what? You can look at Duke and it's just like I said when we were playing Duke. You can look at them all you want. They play in the ACC and their four non-conference games were two SEC teams, Navy and Richmond. That's a pretty good schedule. There are a lot of teams that wouldn't win many games with that schedule. Stanford's non-conference schedule was Navy, Notre Dame and San Jose State, who is going to a bowl game, and the rest are Pac-10 games. </p>
<p>Lambrecht: Not to disparage anybody but if you take out two or three of Notre Dame's opponents who have they played? </p>
<p>Johnson: You could say that about anybody. It's just something for people to talk about. </p>
<p>Wagner: Do you see Navy continuing the series with Rutgers? I know you are playing them next year. That was a relatively even series and all of a sudden with Rutgers jumping up that's a game you have to play up to win, as Chet likes to say. </p>
<p>Johnson: Cuz, let me tell you something. There are very few games that we don't have to play up to win. Tell me games that aren't playing up? Who are we going to play that we don't have to play up to other than the two Service Academies? </p>
<p>Wagner: Well when Chet explains the schedule he says it's 1/3 playing up, 1/3 even and 1/3 you should win. </p>
<p>Johnson: I don't care how he explains it. I'm asking you to explain it to me. I mean it sounds good, but explain it to me. Are we supposed to beat Duke and Stanford? Is that not playing up for us? I would think that's playing up. Any time we are playing a team from a BCS league, trust me brother that's playing up. </p>
<p>Wagner: I guess people could argue that Temple and Eastern Michigan aren't. </p>
<p>Johnson: The MAC teams are probably even. Ask Temple and Eastern Michigan if they think they are supposed to beat Navy. I guarantee you they would say yes. They won't tell you that playing Navy is playing up. For them playing up is Louisville and Clemson and those teams in the BCS. They don't look at us as playing up. The only team that I would venture to guess that judged us as playing up this year might have been UMass and they were one of the better teams we've played this year. Do you think those Conference USA teams look at us and think that's playing up? I guarantee you they don't. </p>
<p>Wagner: Along those lines do you think you should be ranked? Aren't you surprised that you haven't received any votes? </p>
<p>Johnson: No. We've lost too many games and we lost decidedly to the two teams that are ranked. </p>
<p>Wagner: A lot of people would lose big to Rutgers and Notre Dame. </p>
<p>Johnson: You know what? I don't worry about all that. I just try and play the next game, but I laugh when people talk about the schedule. We're Navy. How many winning seasons has Navy had the last 30 years? To say that anybody is playing up to play us is an exaggeration. </p>
<p>Wagner: But that opinion might change if you keep winning. </p>
<p>Johnson: I hope it does. It's always going to be a challenge here. </p>
<p>Lambrecht: Did you like the way Kettani went about his business on Saturday? </p>
<p>Johnson: I thought he had pretty good composure. He didn't get too excited. He went in and took care of the ball and ran hard. The speed of the game was probably a little fast with some of the blocking and he would probably be the first to tell you that he has to get better at blocking. </p>
<p>Wagner: What did you think about his analysis of himself? He said he was a little quicker than Adam and maybe had better hips. He really broke it down. </p>
<p>Johnson: Ask Adam what he thinks about it. He and Adam can sort that out. </p>
<p>Lambecht: Nothing like competition. </p>
<p>Wagner: Have you had a talk with Price? I know the kid wants to come back and play, but eventually do you tell him it's just not happening this year? </p>
<p>Johnson: I've talked to him a couple of times and he can't go. He also missed treatment this weekend. </p>
<p>Wagner: Do you think he's just getting a little discouraged about the whole thing? </p>
<p>Johnson: I'm sure he is. He wants to play and he comes out and he's tried a couple of times and he can't go. In my mind I've just kind of put it that he isn't going to play and I quit worrying about it. We have moved on. Jeromy Miles is playing well.</p>
<p>Lippincott and Desjarles to represent the Brigade of Midshipmen </p>
<p>Nov. 14, 2006</p>
<p>ANNAPOLIS, Md.-Navy head football coach Paul Johnson announced Monday night at his press briefing that he will use two different 12th Mids to cover a kick during Saturday's game against Temple. </p>
<p>Rich Lippincott (Sr./Whittier, Calif.) of the 7th Company was the original selection to be the 12th Mid and he will be a member of the kickoff team when Navy kicks off for the first time on Saturday. </p>
<p>Lippincott, who stands 6-0 and weighs 225 pounds, served three years in the United States Navy before going to the Naval Academy Prep School in Newport, R.I. While in the Navy he earned a Good Conduct Medal, a Global War on Terrorism Medal and an Expeditionary Global War on Terrorism Medal. </p>
<p>While at the Naval Academy he was a member of the baseball team for two seasons and was an exchange student to West Point during the fall of 2005. </p>
<p>At California High School he was a four-year letterwinner in baseball and lettered three times in football as a cornerback. Lippincott's father, Jack, is an engineer for NASA and his mother, Merrilea, is a teacher. </p>
<p>Clint Desjarlais (Sr./Anchorage, Alaska) of the 2nd Company was originally selected as an alternate, but after last night's practice Johnson announced that he would get an opportunity on Saturday as well. </p>
<p>Desjarlais, who stands 6-2 and weighs 190 pounds, was a volunteer firefighter in Anchorage before joining the United States Marine Corps. </p>
<p>After serving in the Marine Corps for three years, Desjarlais attended the Naval Academy Prep School in Newport, R.I. before going to the Naval Academy. </p>
<p>While in the Marines, Desjarlais served as part of the 7051 Crash Fire Rescue team in Okinawa, Japan. Desjarlais, who rose to the rank of Corporal E4, received the Navy Achievement Medal, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon and was a Marine Corps rifle expert. </p>
<p>Both players will also have the honor of wearing No. 12, as 1963 Heisman Trophy winner Roger Staubach has given his permission for his number to be unretired once per year for the 12th Mid.</p>
<p>Following Practice On Wednesday, Nov. 15 </p>
<p>Nov. 15, 2006</p>
<p>In Attendance: Bill Wagner (Annapolis Capital), Gary Lambrecht (Baltimore Sun), Christian Swezey (Washington Post), Corey Masisak (Washington Times), Ron Snyder (Baltimore Examiner), Bob Socci (Navy Radio) </p>
<p>Johnson: Corey, it looks like you wore your pajamas today. (Laughter) </p>
<p>Wagner: I think Gary pointed out in one of his articles that the Temple run defense isn't very highly rated, do you think you can get some yards on them? </p>
<p>Johnson: I don't pay any attention to that stuff. The NCAA rankings are more of a product of who you play sometimes. We are going to do what we do, regardless. If they were ranked No. 1 in the country against the run we would still try to do what we do. We know we have to play well. If we execute and play well we feel like we have a chance to move the ball on whomever and if we don't, we will struggle. </p>
<p>Wagner: Being that this is there last game, and they did have an uplifting win earlier in the year when they beat Bowling Green and that meant a lot to those kids, they will be pretty fired up to get another win. </p>
<p>Johnson: They came in here last year in the same situation and really played hard. They gave us all we wanted. We fully expect them to come in here and give us there best shot. I don't know why they wouldn't. I've been impressed watching them on tape. They've played hard all year and I think their new coaching staff is doing a good job. They have them energized and playing hard and I'm sure that's what we are going to get from them. </p>
<p>Lambrecht: Did Adam or James do anything today? </p>
<p>Johnson: Yeah, Adam practiced. I think he will probably dress and play. I think the jury is still out on James. </p>
<p>Snyder: Do you do anything differently at this point in the season with practice to try and stay healthy? </p>
<p>Johnson: We've cut practice back a bunch and we've been in shells for the last couple of weeks. I started doing that when I was at Georgia Southern because most years we would play 15 games and there was a point during the year, usually around game eight, where we would start to cut back and go in shells. </p>
<p>Lambrecht: Will Eric still be the starter with Ballard rotating in? </p>
<p>Johnson: If Adam can go then he's the starter. I don't generally take people out because of injuries. We will just evaluate and see how he can go. </p>
<p>Lambrecht: How about the way this team keeps bouncing back from all the injuries in the secondary, offensive, line and obviously at quarterback? </p>
<p>Johnson: It's a positive. Anytime guys can fill in and you can continue to have success it's great. You have to give the assistant coaches credit for getting those guys ready to play and you have to give the kids credit for being ready to play. Sometimes when you aren't the starter it's hard to get yourself geared up, but when guys have been called on they've been able to go in and produce for the most part. </p>
<p>Lambrecht: Does it also show the growth of the program? </p>
<p>Johnson: You hope so. You would like to think that if you have a program you are more than one-deep somewhere. </p>
<p>Snyder: Any additional thoughts on story that was in the Baltimore Sun today? </p>
<p>*Johnson: It was a serious thing when it happened, but it's a non-story. It has to be a slow news day if you dig something up from 2004. I think we answered all the questions. We handled the thing exactly by the book. Neither of the young men even played (on the varsity) the year (2004) it happened. Word came out that there might have been some other guys involved and everyone was tested and they tested negative. Unless someone is in for a bunch of lawsuits I don't know about dismissing guys if they test negative. They don't do that anywhere. *</p>
<p>Wagner: Corey and I are both writing something on Anthony Piccioni. It's senior day and here's a kid that's stuck it out. He's not the most talented guy and he's not the biggest guy. </p>
<p>Johnson: What Anthony does is he gets a lot out of his ability. He's got some ability. He's not without talent. He's tough, competitive and takes his role very seriously. He's been a really good special teams player and a leader on our football team. Certainly we are fortunate to have him playing here for us. He's brought a lot to the program. There's no question about that. </p>
<p>Wagner: Do you have respect for guys like that who are maybe not going to dent the depth chart but still come out here every day and work hard. </p>
<p>Johnson: I have the same respect for those guys than the ones that it comes easy for, the guys that are natural athletes that everything comes easy. I have a lot of respect for the guys that stick in there that are pluggers and fighters. I appreciate those guys. As an athlete I was a lot closer to those guys than the other guys. </p>
<p>Corey: At most places they put two kick returners and maybe a fullback in front of them, but you put Reggie back there with three guys like Anthony in front of them. What made you put two linebackers and a defensive end back in front of Reggie on kick returns? </p>
<p>Johnson: Because they are tough kids and that's part of their role on the team and they like doing it. Honestly, they are about as fast as any of the other guys we would put back there. If somebody kicks them the ball, knock on wood, they've handled it and they've done a good job. What you want back there are guys that aren't afraid to hit somebody and those guys will hit you. </p>
<p>Socci: Any chance you could set up a return for Anthony? He said when he put his knee down against Notre Dame that you gave him a hard time about ruining his average. </p>
<p>Johnson: We'll see. We'll see where they kick it. I hope he doesn't catch anymore, but he might. </p>
<p>Socci: At risk of leaving somebody out, who else among the seniors stand out as unsung heroes? </p>
<p>Johnson: If you ask me to name guys I'm going to leave somebody out so I will let you guys do that, but this senior class as a whole, I can't say enough good things about them. They have been the cornerstones of turning this thing around. Certainly the classes before them have had a big part of it and some of the underclassmen that are playing here now have had a part. They are going to accomplish some things as a class that hadn't been done here in a long long time and I think you have to give them credit for that.</p>
<p>In Annapolis finale, senior class hopes to end 2-game home skid</p>
<p>Published in today's BS:</p>
<p>
[quote]
The emotions will be flowing, particularly for the seniors, when Navy makes its final appearance of the season at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium against Temple on Saturday. </p>
<p>The Midshipmen (7-3) are determined to leave the crowd on a good note, after an unusually inconsistent, 2-2 showing at home in 2006....
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Published in yesterday's Philadelphia Daily News:</p>
<p>
[quote]
One game is left in Temple's football season, and first-year coach Al Golden was asked yesterday to critique the job he had done in trying to right a program that had been kicked around on the field, and ridiculed off it, for close to two decades.</p>
<p>Temple, which has not had a winning season since 1990, will take a 1-10 record into its season finale at Navy (7-3) on Saturday....
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Campbell, Knap and Johnson to join host Bob Socci</p>
<p>Nov. 16, 2006</p>
<p>ANNAPOLIS, Md.-The Navy Sports Magazine Show, presented by Comcast, will air tonight at 6 p.m. on 1430 WNAV (<a href="http://www.wnav.com%5B/url%5D">www.wnav.com</a>) in Annapolis. The weekly 30-minute show, hosted by Bob Socci, will feature interviews with Navy players and coaches. </p>
<p>The Navy Sports Magazine Show will also air on WLRT (1490 AM, <a href="http://www.1490theoutlaw.com%5B/url%5D">www.1490theoutlaw.com</a>) every Friday at 5 p.m. and on 1050 WFED (<a href="http://www.federalnewsradio.com%5B/url%5D">www.federalnewsradio.com</a>) in Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia each Saturday leading up to the football pre-game show. This week the show will air on WFED at 10:30 a.m. Navy All-Access will also archive the show and it will be available for subscribers every Friday. </p>
<p>Navy head football coach Paul Johnson, junior slot back Reggie Campbell and women's basketball guard Margaret Knap will be featured this week. </p>
<p>WBAL (1090 AM, <a href="http://www.wbal.com%5B/url%5D">www.wbal.com</a>) will air a segment on Navy Football each and every Friday night at approximately 8 p.m. The segment will feature audio from head coach Paul Johnson along with special visits from Bob Socci, Pete Medhurst and John Feinstein.</p>
<p>Former enlisted men take shot at football</p>
<p>Published in today's Annapolis Capital:</p>
<p>
[quote]
Eight years ago, the notion of serving as the 12th Mid for the Navy football program would have seemed ludicrous to Clint Desjarlais.</p>
<p>Desjarlais was living in a halfway house in Anchorage, Alaska, wondering what was going to become of his life. He was 16 years old at the time and had left home following the divorce of his parents....
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</p>
<p>Posted on GoMids.com:</p>
<p><a href="http://navy.scout.com/2/591265.html%5B/url%5D">http://navy.scout.com/2/591265.html</a></p>
<p>
[quote]
I had the opportunity to speak with both Rich Lippincott and Clint Desjarlais, arguably the two luckiest midshipmen in the world. The two seniors will be representing the Brigade of Midshipmen as part of the kick-off team when Navy faces Temple this Saturday at 12:30 p.m. The 12th Mids, as they are known as, spoke candidly about the opportunity to represent their fellow classmates....
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