Saturday, September 21, 2024
Finally, after two intense days of air travel and visits to three Civil War battle sites, it was GAME DAY!
We left our hotel in Bowie for the 20 minute drive to Maryland's capital city of Annapolis.
Annapolis is home to the
United States Naval Academy
This Academy's main purpose is to produce men of quality, honor and integrity that will graduate as either Ensigns in the U.S. Navy or as Second Lieutenants in the U.S. Marine Corps.
Upon graduation, these new officers are committed to serving their country for a minimum of five years.
DB Rayuan Lane III,
seen here, was destined to make
a HUGE play at the end of the game
While our main goal was attending the football game today, we also scheduled a 90 minute campus tour starting at 10:00 a.m.
We were quickly and politely informed that the Academy refers to their beautiful grounds simply as The Yard.
Before we chronicle our tour of The Yard, let's set up our game that was set to kickoff at 3:30 p.m. in the Academy's Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.
Memphis Tigers
3 Wins - 0 Losses overall,
0 Wins - 0 Losses in
American Athletic Conference games
Ranked #23
at
Navy Midshipmen
2 Wins - 0 Losses overall,
1 Win - 0 Losses in
American Athletic Conference games
Unranked
An aerial view of
Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium
At the Entrance Gate to The Yard,
Jacob was fired up for another
awesome experience
The only negatives were the quickly rising weather duo of heat and HUMIDITY!
FEAR THE GOAT!
Bill the Goat has been Navy's mascot since 1890.
At the football game there would be
both a live goat mascot and a costumed
Midshipman version of the Goat
As we entered the Visitors Center, we immediately felt the pride and history that is at the core fabric of The Yard.
Fleet Admiral William "Bull" Halsey
U.S.N.A. Class of 1904
Halsey was one of America's great leaders in the Pacific Theater during World War II.
An indoor athletic facility in
Halsey Field House
During his time at Annapolis, Halsey lettered in football.
This now stuffed Bill the Goat was
the Navy mascot at about the time
that Bull Halsey was playing fullback
Discussing Artillery tactics while
awaiting our tour's start
Finally, we joined about 15 other visitors for our tour that was led by a well informed and enthusiastic guide.
We walked by these homes that
are used by the families Academy's
Administrative leaders
NICE!
The home of the Academy's
Superintendent is behind that fence
The position of Superintendent is the equivalent of the President at other colleges and universities.
The Superintendents serve in this position for only four years and is scheduled to retire from the service at the conclusion of their term in office.
The Superintendents must have achieved the rank of Admiral before they are appointed.
The Vice Admiral Yvette M. Davids is the Academy's 65th Superintendent serving in the first year of her final tour of duty. A 1989 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, she is the first female to hold this position in the Academy's history.
Dahlgren Hall
We were informed that this hall was built in the Beaux-Arts architectural style as were several of the Academy's buildings.
The interior of Dahlgren Hall
was spectacular and . . .
. . . chock full of naval history reminders
Of course their is a WWII torpedo
on The Yard . . .
. . . it was right next to this statue
honoring those who serve on submarines
The faces represent those who are
forever on duty beneath the waves
Native American Chief Tamanend
Midshipmen traditionally try to toss coins at him for good luck.
If you can get your coin to land in his quiver, you are guaranteed of getting at least a "C" on a critical, upcoming exam.
Bancroft Hall
This is the home of the 4,400 members of the Navy's Brigade of Midshipmen for their four years at The Yard.
It is the largest college dormitory in the United States.
Entering Bancroft Hall is
SPECTACULAR!
So much rich history everywhere
you walk in The Yard
Navy Captain James Lawrence commanding the USS Chesapeake during the War of 1812. While engaged in a battle with a British ship, HMS Shannon, Lawrence was mortally wounded but while grappling with death imminent, he uttred one command to his crew,
"DON'T GIVE UP THE SHIP!"
Lawrence's friend and fellow naval officer, Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, would turn these heroic words into legend.
Of course it's a naval battle scene
The Academy's Main Chapel
Catholic and Protestant services are held here regularly.
A peaceful setting was to be
found once inside the Main Chapel
Stain glass is always a good touch
Our tour guide now led is into the Main Chapel's underground crypt which house the remains of America's greatest Revolutionary War naval leaders.
This ornate sarcophagus holds the
remains of . . .
. . . Captain John Paul Jones
Jones was only 5'6" tall, we were told, and when this bust of his likeness was put in place, the top of its head is exactly 5'6" off the floor.
Jones famously commanded the American flagship Bonhomme Richard during the Revolutionary War.
On September 23, 1779, his flagship engaged in a bloody battle with the 44-gun British Royal Navy frigate Serapis.
With the Bonhomme Richard ablaze, the Serapis' Captain Richard Pearson asked Jones to surrender.
Jones's response is another phrase etched deeply in the Naval Academy's spirit. His defiant answer was simply "I have not yet begun to fight!"
A scant three hours later, it was the Serapis' Captain Pearson that surrendered to Jones.
Our worthwhile tour was now over and we were left on our own to explore The Yard to our hearts content.
We were right next to the Academy's Naval Museum inside of Preble Hall.
First, let it be known that the three of us LOVE military museums but we ADORE air conditioning on a hot and humid day even more!
We entered Preble Hall
The Academy's Goals in a nutshell
when it first opened in 1845
Now, THAT'S a football team!
All sports, including an Indian Club
swinging athlete on the far right
More weapons, more awe
President John Adams is
IN THE HOUSE!
So are Benjamin Franklin and
President George Washington
Yet another great naval quote, this time
from Rear Admiral David G. Farragut
Farragut was involved in a Civil War land and naval engagement known as the Battle of Mobile Bay in Alabama on August 5, 1864.
The bay was protected by a series of mines that were called torpedos back in those days. Apparently stymied, Farragut gave the somewhat rash but eventually successful order to
"DAMN THE TORPEDOS!
FULL SPEED AHEAD!"
And the rest, as they say, is history and now part of the Academy's lore.
Jacob's awe . . .
. . . continued
Fear the Goat!
Old school sea plane
The U.S. Navy's Air Corps
was key to victory in the
Pacific during WWII
U.S. Marines famously raising the
flag on Iwo Jima's Mt. Suribachi
Hey, we are going to a game
in just a few hours
"Old Denver" was born, bred and
died in Annapolis
Although Andrew Denver never actually attended the Academy he did hold various jobs at the Academy throughout his life including being the U.S.N.A.'s Band's Drum Major in the 1880s as seen here.
I think that he qualifies as a local "character" in the Academy's history books.
Nice cannon near Bancroft Hall
French made or at least influenced, I believe.
This U.S.N.A. crest is located
near the statue of Chief Tamanend
Should a Midshipman set foot on this crest, he is in DEEP trouble.
The U.S.N.A.'s Athletic Hall of Fame
is located in this building
Of course, we went in but we did not drink the water for obvious reasons.
Lots of great names on . . .
. . . both of these old plaques
Football, Flag Football, Basketball,
Soccer and Track last school year
Was Jacob thinking about joining yet another sport?
Nice Wrestling Room
Wonderful words to live by
Two Midshipman grapplers
on a Saturday morning
Luminaries from Navy's past
Some from football, too
Make that LOTS from football's history
RB Joe Bellino was Navy's first
Heisman Trophy winner in 1960
On a side note, Bellino's Navy team (9-2) beat the Washington Huskies (10-1) in the third game of the season on October 1st. The Final Score had Navy edging Washington 15-14.
In 1963, QB Roger Staubach became
the second and, until now, last
Midshipman to win the Heisman Trophy
A huge pool complex lies inside
Lejuene Hall
Each gold football signifies
a Navy win over Army
1890
Navy 24 - Army 0
Laurie and I were at this game
played in the Rose Bowl
We had a wonderful time watching the game with Michael and Susan D'Antuono.
Wait, 1983 was FORTY-ONE years ago?
How the heck did that happen?
Jacob by the Navy's two
Heisman Trophies
Great Helmet!
Real men do not use face masks.
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Smackover?
What a fabulous nickname!
Joe Bellino again
Roger Staubach too
One of many Lambert Trophies earned
by Navy football teams, this one from 1954
The Lambert Trophy is awarded annualy to the team deemed to be the best collegiate squad in the East.
Lejuene Hall was top-notch!
Jacob enjoying the view of Spa Creek
flowing into the Severn River next
to The Yard
We would all like to Return With Honor
to The Yard some day
We wanted to get something eat in old town Annapolis before starting our one mile walk to the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.
Cool old homes in Annapolis
Maryland's State House
Again, Annapolis is Maryland's capital city.
Irish Pub food got the call
We still had time, so we opted
to visit the State House
We had to educate Jacob as to the
reason for this strange contraption
The House of Delegates Chamber
The Senate Chamber
Charles Carroll of Carrollton, Maryland
(lower right) was the only Roman Catholic
to sign the Declaration of Independence
Interesting
Frederick Douglass
Harriet Tubman
This letter from Douglass to
Tubman is phenomenal!
George Washington
made a famous speech here
In this room, on December 23, 1783, Washington addressed the assembled legislature to officially resign his commission as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army.
I wonder whatever happened
to Washington after that?
What the . . .
This can't be good
The Maryland State House was well worth the visit but we had to keep moving towards the stadium.
Right next to The Yard, St. John's College
is 149 years older than the Academy
It was a nice walk to the game
Arriving at the Navy tailgate scene
Jacob's back is officially healed if this
abortive slide down a stadium hill on a
piece of cardboard is any indication
The Mantra
Navy Alums and Families
enjoying the day
The Brigade of Midshipmen marching to
the game with the Band leading the way
It was a lovely day for a parade
We had bagpipers too!
It was time to . . .
. . . make our last approach . . .
. . . and enter . . .
. . . the stadium
The Brigade was on the field . . .
. . . the jets did a fly by . . .
. . . parachutists were landing . . .
. . . now all we were missing was . . .
. . . the cheerleaders and . . .
. . . the TEAM!
We were ready for the kickoff
Navy on Defense supported
fully by the Brigade!
At the end of the highly entertaining First Quarter, it was Memphis 14 - Navy 7.
After every TD the Plebes, a.k.a. Freshmen,
do one pushup for each Navy point
They would get a workout today.
My goodness, look at the schedule
Navy up on that wall is TOUGH!
A frenetic Second Quarter saw the Midshipmen take the lead. At the Half it was Navy 28 - Memphis 17.
The Band at Halftime
We took advantage of the intermission to take a lasp around the stadium.
I was born in 1947
Great sight lines
Bill the Goat
Navy running what they call their
updated Wing-T Option Offense
Are you not entertained?
Jacob switched to his Camarillo
Stingers jersey for the Second Half
I just love these shots of the
Brigade in the stands
Jacob on the End Zone hill
awaiting a PAT landing here
in a minute or two
There is no net behind the goal posts at this end of the stadium.
Big Plays were a constant
Having fun, Jacob?
Lining up to receive a Memphis
Onside Kick
The Midshipmen recovered the Memphis attempt easily.
GO NAVY!
At the end of the Third Quarter, Navy still led 35-30.
It was a wild one that was about to get wilder!
The Midshipmen about to score again
The Tigers scored again too
This time Memphis recovered their
Onside Kick
The Tigers trailed 49-44 with a potent passing game and 1:20 left in the game.
Memphis kept completing passes and then it happened.
Navy DB Rayuan Lane III picked off a Tigers pass and returned it 86 yards for the much needed Navy insurance TD.
FINAL SCORE
Navy (3-0) - 56
Memphis (3-1) - 44
ONE HUNDRED TOTAL POINTS!
It was one of the best games that I've seen in a long, long time.
Celebrating on the field
The solemn singing of the
Navy Alma Mater
Note the Memphis players respectfully stand to the left until the
Alma Mater was finished.
As to the Player of the Game, that was EASY . . .
Navy's #11 Blake Horvath
QB, 6-2, 195 lbs.
from Hilliard, Ohio
Horvath rushed 11 times for 211 yards, an average of 19.2 yards per carry and four TDs of, in order, 5, 3, 7 and 90 yards.
Horvarth was not done yet
He also completed nine of 12 passes for 192 yards, no interceptions and two TDs of 39 and 46 yards.
Oh, he also caught one pass for an additional 13 yards.
Blake Horvath had a AMAZING day!
His Total Offense line for the day amounted to:
24 plays
416 all-purpose yards
17.3 yards per play
Accounted for 6 TDs
WHAT A GAME!
Our last day on the road tomorrow will see us return to the Civil War theme of our journey with a final stop in Manassas, Virginia to view the scene of the two Battles of Bull Run in 1861 and again in 1862.
Please stay tuned . . .
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