Date and Kickoff	Dec. 29, 2012 at 1:00 pm PT / 4:00 ET
Location	San Francisco, Calif. | AT&T Park (40,184)
Television	ESPN2
TV Talent	Dave Pasch (play-by-play), Brian Griese (analyst), Jenn Brown (sideline)

Setting the Stage
• Arizona State and Navy will meet on the gridiron for the first time when they square off at AT&T Park in San Francisco in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl.  Kickoff is set for 4:07 pm Eastern, 1:07 pm Pacific.
• Navy is 7-9-1 all-time in bowl games and 1-1-1 all-time against current Pac-12 schools in bowl games.  Navy tied Washington, 14-14, in the 1924 Rose Bowl; defeated California, 42-38, in the 1996 Aloha Bowl; and lost to Utah, 35-32, in the 2007 Poinsettia Bowl. This will be Navy’s ninth bowl game in the last 10 years.
•    Navy has lost four of its last five bowl games. The only win was a 35-13 pounding of Missouri in the 2009 Texas Bowl.  The Mids have lost to Boston College (25-24 in the 2006 Meineke Car Care Bowl); Utah (35-32 in the 2007 Poinsettia Bowl); Wake Forest (29-19 in the 2008 EagleBank Bowl) and San Diego State (35-14 in the 2010 Poinsettia Bowl) during that time span.  Niumatalolo is 1-3 in bowl games.
• ESPN2 will televise the game nationally with Dave Pasch, Brian Griese and Jenn Brown calling the action.
•    Touchdown Radio has the national radio call with Roxy Bernstein and Gino Toretta on the call.

Navy’s Last Trip to San Francisco … 
Navy 34, New Mexico 19    Dec. 30, 2004 | San Francisco, Calif.
•     Aaron Polanco accounted for four touchdowns and 237 yards of total offense as Navy defeated New Mexico, 34-19, in the 2004 Emerald Bowl.  The victory gave the Midshipmen a school-record tying 10 wins for the season and marked just the fifth bowl victory in school history.
• After the Lobos took a 7-0 lead on the first possesion of the game, the Mids answered with a touchdown drive of their own, moving 80 yards on just seven plays.  Polanco scored from 14 yards out to tie the game at seven.
• The game turned on the ensuing possession when safety Vaughn Kelley hit New Mexico’s DonTrell Moore just as he was catching a pitch.  The hit caused a fumble that was recovered by Lane Jackson and knocked Moore out of the game.
• Navy quickly took advantage of the turnover, as Polanco scored from one yard out five plays later to give Navy a 14-7 lead.  The touchdown was set up by a third-and-eight pass from slot back Frank Divis to Polanco for 17 yards
• Josh Smith stopped New Mexico’s next drive with an interception and the Mids made the Lobos pay dearly, as Polanco hit wide receiver Corey Dryden on the second play from scrimmage with a 61-yard touchdown pass to make the score 21-7.
• After the two teams punted on their initial possessions of the third quarter, Polanco ran for his third touchdown of the day, this one from 27 yards out, to make the score 31-19.
• New Mexico, however, marched right back down the field.  The Lobos had the ball first-and-goal at the Navy six, but on fourth-and-goal from the one Lobo running back D.D. Cox was stopped short of the goal line by Kelley and Bobby McClarin.
• The Navy offense would take over the game from there, mounting an epic 26-play, 94-yard, 14:26 drive that was capped off by a Geoff Blumenfeld 22-yard field goal to make the score 34-19.  The 26 plays and 14:26 time of possession were both NCAA records for a single drive.

Fourth Quarter Rally Leads Navy To 11th Straight Win Over Army
•    Freshman quarterback Keenan Reynolds extended Navy’s dominance against Army, scoring the winning touchdown late in the fourth quarter in a 17-13 victory in the 113th playing of America’s Game.
• Navy captured its 11th consecutive victory over Army and in doing so won the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy which is awarded to the team with the best record in games among the three service academies. Army and Navy each beat Air Force, putting the prestigious trophy up for grabs in the regular-season finale for the first time since 2005.
• In front of 69,607 fans and Vice President Joe Biden at Lincoln Financial Field, Navy caught a break when Army missed a late field goal attempt.
• Reynolds quickly found Brandon Turner down the sideline for a 49-yard gain. Reynolds then escaped a rush and followed with the eight-yard touchdown run with 4:41 left in the game.
• Unlike previous games over the last decade, the Black Knights were in this one until the final drive. Army had driven to the Navy 14 when fullback Larry Dixon fumbled on a sloppy exchange with quarterback Trent Steelman. Junior nose guard Barry Dabney recovered the fumble and the Mids’ sideline went wild as the CIC trophy was coming back to the Naval Academy for a record 13th time after a two-year stint at Air Force. Before Navy started its 11-game winning streak, the longest winning streak in a series that started in 1890 was only five games by either team.
• Late in the third quarter, Army’s James Kelly stripped the ball from Reynolds and linebacker Alex Meier recovered to give the Black Knights the ball at Navy’s 37. Eric Osteen kicked a 21-yard field goal 10 plays later for a 13-10 lead.
• Osteen, however, was wide left on a 37-yard attempt with 6:57 left in the game.
• Navy made them pay on Reynolds’ score. The Midshipmen now lead the series 57-49-7
• After a scoreless first quarter, Army and Navy swapped rushing TDs in the second. Navy fullback Noah Copeland plowed straight up the middle for a 12-yard score. Trent Steelman matched him with an 11-yarder for his program-tying 17th TD run of the season, then saluted the cadets after the score.
• Freshman kicker Nick Sloan put Navy up 10-7 with a 31-yard field goal late in the second, but Army answered when Osteen’s 41-yarder as the first half expired hit the upright and bounced in to tie the game at 10.
•    Reynolds was named the Philadelphia Sportswriters Most Valuable Player, rushing for 43 yards and a touchdown and completing 10 of his 17 passes for 130 yards.  Sophomore fullback Noah Copeland rushed for 99 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries, while senior slot back Gee Gee Greene caught three passes for 23 yards.
• Junior linebacker Cody Peterson led the Navy defense with a career-high 14 tackles, while senior outside linebacker Keegan Wetzel recorded 11 tackles, 1.5 tackles for a loss and one sack.  Senior Matt Warrick was also in on 11 stops, while sophomore outside linebacker Josh Tate, senior linebacker John Michael Nurthen and Dabney all recovered fumbles.

Senior Salute
•    Navy’s 28 seniors have compiled a 32-19 record (.627), qualified for three bowl games, won a bowl game (2009 Texas Bowl against Missouri) and won the Commander-In-Chief’s Trophy twice in their four years. The seniors were 4-0 against their biggest rival, Army, and 6-2 in Service Academy games (2-2 against Air Force).
•    The 28 seniors are:  offensive tackle Andrew Barker (High Point, N.C.), linebacker Matt Brewer (Wildwood, Mo.), safety Tra’ves Bush (Johnston, S.C.), guard Josh Cabral(Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.), tackle Evan Campbell (Pasadena, Md.), fullbackPrentice Christian (Bowie, Md.), long snapper Billy Coats (Minden, Nev.), guard Matt Couch (Enola, Pa.), defensive end Josh Dowling-Fitzpatrick (Westerville, Ohio), safetyJerad Fehr (Draper, Utah), linebacker Brye French (Deatsville, Ala.), wide receiverJonathan Gazaille (Grand Prairie, Texas), slot back Gee Gee Greene (Columbia, S.C.), guard Beau Haworth (Annapolis, Md.), defensive end Wes Henderson (Wexford, Pa.), slot back John Howell (Hatfield, Pa.), wide receiver Tyler Lynch (Irving, Texas), linebacker John Michael Nurthern (Phoenixville, Pa.), wide receiver John O’Boyle (Charlotte, N.C.), tackle Ryan Paulson (Broomfield, Colo.), center Kahikolu Pescaia (Kailua, Hawai’i), tackleJoe Ryan (Tucson, Ariz.), wide receiver Matt Shibata (Honolulu, Hawai’i), slot back Bo Snelson (Pasadena, Texas), defensive end Collin Sturdivant (High Point, N.C.), wide receiver Brandon Turner (Renton, Wash.), linebacker Matt Warrick (Chesterfield, Mo.), outside linebacker Keegan Wetzel (Palos Heights, Ill.).

Scouting Arizona State
•    The Sun Devils enter the bowl game with a 7-5 record against an extremely difficult schedule.
•    ASU has defeated Northern Arizona (63-6), Illinois (45-14), Utah (37-7), California (27-17), Colorado (51-17), Washington State (46-7) and Arizona (41-34).  Meanwhile, its losses have come at the hands of Missouri (24-20), Oregon (43-21), UCLA (45-43), Oregon State (36-26) and USC (38-17).
• ASU is one of the most balanced teams in the country ranking 38th in the country in rushing offense (190.8 yds/gm), 46th in passing offense (258.5 yds/gm), 31st in total offense (449.3 yds/gm) and 21st in scoring offense (36.4 pts/gm).
• Defensively, ASU ranks 75th in rushing defense (172.0 yds/gm), 12th in pass defense (178.8 yds/gm), 26th in total defense (350.8 yds/gm) and 41st in scoring defense (24.0 pts/gm).
•    Quarterback Taylor Kelly ranks 23rd nationally in passing efficiency (153.3). He has completed 224 of his 340 pass attempts for 2,772 yards with 25 touchdowns and just nine interceptions.  Chris Coyle is Kelly’s favorite target, with 53 catches for 659 yards and five touchdowns.  Running back Marion Grice has 39 catches for 406 yards and eight touchdowns, while running back D.J. Foster has 36 catches for 522 yards and four touchdowns.
• Cameron Marshall is the Sun Devils’ leading rusher with 524 yards and seven touchdowns on 127 carries, while Grice has 520 yards and nine touchdowns on just 89 carries.
• Arizona State’s defense has been terrific this year, ranking second in the country in sacks and tackles for a loss.  All-American defensive tackle Will Sutton ranks fifth nationally in tackles for a loss (1.82) and 13th in sacks (0.95).
• Safety Keelan Johnson ranks 11th in the country in interceptions (0.11 per game), while linebacker Brandon Magee is 29th in tackles (9.5 per game).
• Punter Josh Hubner ranks third in the country (47.1 yards per punt), while ASU is sixth in the nation in net punting (40.7 yards per punt).

Navy Quick Hitters
• Since 2003, Navy has won 19 games against schools from a BCS conference.  The 19 wins against BCS schools during that time period, which have come against 10 different teams, are the most in the country by a non-BCS school.
• Navy has played six bowl eligible teams this year (counting Penn State, which is not going to a bowl due to NCAA sanctions) and compiled a 3-3 record against the six programs.  The Mids defeated Air Force (6-6), Central Michigan (6-6) and East Carolina (8-4) and lost to Notre Dame (12-0), Penn State (8-4) and San Jose State (10-2).
• Navy head football coach Ken Niumatalolo is just the third coach in school history to start his coaching career at Navy with a 5-0 record against Army.  Paul Johnson turned in a 6-0 mark against West Point (2002-07), while Wayne Hardin won his first five games (1959-63) before losing.
• Navy has been the dominant Service Academy over the last decade, posting a 19-2 record (.905) against Army (11-0) and Air Force (8-2) in the last 21 meetings, winning eight Commander-In-Chief’s Trophies in the last 10 years and going to nine bowl games in the last 10 years.  Navy has amassed an 83-44 (.654) overall record in the last 10 years, while Air Force is 68-55 (.553) and Army is 32-88 (.267).  The 83 wins are the 21st most in the country over the last decade.
• Navy is 4-0 this year in games decided by eight points or less after going 2-5 last year in such games.
• Ken Niumatalolo has led the Midshipmen to a 40-25 (.615) record in this his fifth season as head coach.  He is fourth all-time at Navy in career wins.  Niumatalolo holds Navy coaching records for most wins in the first two (18), three (27), four (32) and five seasons (40) of a career.
• Navy’s four losses this season (Notre Dame, Penn State, San Jose State and Troy) have come at the hands of opponents who are a combined 35-13 (.729).  Notre Dame (12-0) is ranked No. 1 in the country and will play in the BCS National Championship Game, while San Jose State (10-2) is ranked 24th and will play Bowling Green in the Northrop Grumman Military Bowl in Washington, D.C.
• Over the last 10 games (8-2), Navy has outscored the opposition in the second half, 153-83.  The Navy defense has allowed just eight touchdowns in the second half of the last 10 games.
• The Mids have turned the ball over 12 times in their four losses and six times in their eight wins.
•     Senior outside linebacker Keegan Wetzel scored a perfect 1600 on his SAT and is believed to be the only current FBS player in the country to accomplish such a feat.  He carries a 3.89 GPA in systems engineering and was named a Capital One First-Team Academic All-American by the College Sports Information Directors of America.  Wetzel has also been a force on the field for the Midshipmen, recording 74 tackles (tied for third on the team), a team-high 15 tackles for a loss, a team-high seven sacks, has forced a fumble and recovered a fumble.  He is just one sack away from third on Navy’s single-season sacks list.
• Keenan Reynolds is the first freshman to start at quarterback for Navy since Jim Kubiak started five games in 1991.  Meanwhile, he is just the third freshman in school history to start at quarterback (the other was Alton Grizzard in 1987). Reynolds is 6-1 as a starting quarterback with wins over Central Michigan, Indiana, East Carolina, Florida Atlantic, Texas State and Army and a loss to Troy.  He also came off the bench with Navy down eight points to Air Force in the fourth quarter to lead the Mids to an overtime victory.  Kubiak won just one game as a freshman starter (beat a 5-5 Army team) and Grizzard won two games (lost to Army).  Reynolds is the first Navy quarterback to win his first four career starts since senior Bob Powers, who won his first six career starts in 1979.
• Sophomore punter Pablo Beltran is averaging 43.9 yards per punt (40 punts) this season, which is the second-best single-season average in school history. John Skaggs currently holds the single-season punting record at 44.8 yards per punt in 2001.  Beltran would stand 16th nationally if he qualified (must average 3.6 punts per game).
• Navy was 4-0 during the month of October after going 0-5 last year in October. It is the first time Navy went undefeated in the month of October since 1996.  That Navy team finished 9-3 and defeated California in the Aloha Bowl.
• Navy owns a 6-3 record all-time in overtime games, winning six of its last seven.
• Navy owns an 83-44 (.654) record over the last 10 years after posting a 3-30 (.091) mark from 2000-02.  The 83 wins are the 21st most in the country over the last decade.
• Navy is trying to finish No. 1 in fewest penalties and penalty yards per game for the second consecutive year and for the third time in the last four seasons.  The Mids are currently tied for second in penalties (3.5 /gm) and in penalty yards per game (27.9).
• Navy is 4-0 this year and 31-4 (.886) under Niumatalolo when scoring first and 4-4 this year and 9-21 (.300) under Niumatalolo when the opponent scores first.
• The Mids are 3-0 ths year and 24-3 (.889) under Niumatalolo when leading after the first quarter and 5-4 this year and 16-22 (.421) under Niumatalolo when trailing or tied after the first stanza.
• Navy is 6-0 this year and 27-4 (.871) under Niumatalolo when leading at the half and 2-4 this year and 12-22 (.353) under Niumatalolo when tied or trailing at the half.
• Navy is 5-0 this year and 31-3 (.912) under Niumatalolo when leading after three quarters and 3-4 this year and 8-23 (.258) under Niumatalolo when tied or trailing after three quarters.
•    Navy owns a 19-7 (.731) record in games played at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium under Niumatalolo and is 21-18 (.538) away from home.

California Dreaming
•    Navy has 10 players on its travel roster from the state of California.
•    Senior starting offensive guard Josh Cabral hails from Rancho Santa Margarita, sophomore starting long snapper Joe Cardona is from El Cajon, freshman center Brandon Greene is from Highland, freshman punter Gavin Jernigan is from Lawndale, freshman safety Mike Markovsky is from Costa Mesa, sophomore wide receiver James King is from Orinda, sophomore defensive end Paul Quessenberry is from Carlsbad, freshman starting kicker Nick Sloan is from San Diego, junior linebacker Michael Tuimavave is from Daly City and junior starting offensive tackle Graham Vickers is from Diamond Bar.

Playing Against The Home State
•    Senior guard Joe Ryan hails from Tucson, while junior wide receiver Casey Bolena is from Phoenix.

Balanced Attack
• Navy’s slot backs have rushed for 1,467 yards and six touchdowns on 200 carries (7.3 yards per carry), the fullbacks have ran for 943 yards and seven touchdowns on 202 carries (4.7 yards per carry) and the quarterbacks have rushed for 921 yards and 13 touchdowns on 230 carries (4.0 yards per carry).

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — St. Anthony Foundation readies to roll out the navy blue and gold carpet for 100 players, coaches, and staff from the Navy Football Team on Christmas Day.  The Navy Midshipmen, in town for the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl, will be joined by 100 community volunteers to prepare and serve 4,000 meals of honey glazed ham to San Francisco’s poorest residents.

Homeless and isolated veterans comprise 20% of the meals served in St. Anthony’s Dining Room.  For many of these veterans, the anticipation of sharing Christmas dinner with 100 football players from the Naval Academy is a gift that cannot be described in words.

Michael Rempfer, a formerly homeless military veteran who is part of St. Anthony’s year-long drug and alcohol recovery program said, “In my advance military training unit in Aberdeen, MD, my favorite motto was ‘with deeds, not words.’ The Navy Football players who serve food to the homeless on Christmas Day captures the deed of the season.”

Navy football players serving at St. Anthony’s represent a continuum of service and a stark reminder of the sacrifices people make for our country.  Like every day of the year, St. Anthony’s brings together a collage of people who are willing to serve one another and their community through time, talent, and resources.  It is precisely this expression of community that embodies the dignity of the human experience throughout the holiday season.

In addition to veterans, St. Anthony’s serves up to 3,000 meals daily to seniors living on fixed incomes, people struggling with mental illness, and the working poor.  Eighty-eight percent of people who eat at St. Anthony’s live alone.

St. Anthony’s Interim Executive Director Barry Stenger notes that opening the doors on Christmas day is about more than meals.  “The holiday season is a difficult time for many of the guests who eat in our Dining Room.  With the rise of people who look to St. Anthony’s to meet their basic needs along with the economic uncertainty of the impending fiscal cliff, people are feeling the stress of the holidays now more than ever.”  He added that “while it is a stressful time, Christmas is a day of abundance.  This year, like the past 62 years, people around the Bay Area have come to know they can always count on St. Anthony’s Dining Room as a place to call home.”

This is the 3rd year in a row St. Anthony’s has played host to a collegiate football team as part of the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl, the only bowl game that includes  a philanthropic mission.  To date, the bowl has generated 200,000 meals to support hungry people in San Francisco. This year, Navy will play Arizona State in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl game on December 29th at AT & T Park.

For more than 60 years, St. Anthony’s has offered a gateway out of poverty through a network of life-sustaining services. By addressing immediate needs such as hunger and clothing, as well as long term needs such as employment, drug and alcohol recovery, and physical and mental health, St. Anthony’s supports people in need as they pursue training, work, sobriety, and purpose. St. Anthony’s does not rely on federal, state, or local government support. We are entirely funded by private donations.  For more information, visit www.stanthonysf.org or like St. Anthony Foundation on Facebook.

Honorable Mention: Women’s College Basketball-Terrapin Classic: Brown @ Maryland (Friday 12pm Comcast Center), UMES/Hartford @ Maryland (Saturday 4:30pm Comcast Center)

10. Killswitch Engage (Thursday 7:30pm Rams Head Live), Kix (Saturday 9pm Rams Head Live); Crack The Sky (Saturday 8pm Recher Theatre); Colouring Lesson (Friday 8pm 8×10 Club); Halestorm (Monday 9pm Baltimore Soundstage); Stephen Kellogg (Wednesday 8pm Rams Head on Stage), O’Malley’s March (Thursday 6:30pm & 9:30pm Rams Head on Stage); The Roots (Monday 9pm Fillmore Silver Spring); Clutch (Wednesday 7pm 9:30 Club), Rebirth Brass Band (Thursday 7pm 9:30 Club), Jane’s Addiction (Friday 8pm 9:30 Club), Drive-By Truckers (Saturday 8pm Sunday & Monday 7pm 9:30 Club); Martha Reeves & The Vandellas (Saturday 8pm Howard Theatre); G. Love & Special Sauce/Grouplove (Monday 9pm Washington Hilton Hotel & Towers)

I heart everything about The Roots…

Is this the real Martha Reeves? Holy cow!

I don’t think I’ve ever heard the phrase “I really don’t like G. Love” in my life…

Nice little 2012 for the Grouplove gang…

9. Cedric The Entertainer (Saturday 8pm D.A.R. Constitution Hall); Louis C.K. (Friday 7pm & 10pm Meyerhoff Symphony Hall); Robert Kelly (Monday 6:30pm & 10:15pm Magooby’s Joke House); “Django Unchained” out in theaters (Friday); Baltimore New Year’s Eve Spectacular (Monday 9pm Inner Harbor); Glenn Clark’s Christmas plans (Tuesday)

There couldn’t possibly be enough Tarentino in this world. In fact, I almost wish Django was just Inglorious Basterds II…

Glenn’s Christmas plans always include one important thing since my family is Italian…

Big pressure in the Glenn Clark household though, as my girlfriend made the shells for the first time ever. Will they live up to mom’s? Story at 11.

(Continued on Page 2…)

Navy To Play Arizona State In The Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl

 

ANNAPOLIS, Md.—Navy and Arizona State will meet on the gridiron for the first time at the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl on Dec. 29 at AT&T Park in San Francisco it was announced today by Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl Executive Director and co-founder Gary Cavalli.  The game will kick at 1:00 PM in San Francisco (4:00 PM ET) and will be televised by ESPN2.

“We are excited to have the opportunity to select Arizona State to meet Navy in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl on Dec. 29,” Cavalli said. “It promises to be an intriguing matchup between two high-scoring, high-profile teams. Navy has won six of its last seven games, and ASU also finished strong with a come-from-behind win over Arizona in the Territorial Cup.  We look forward to welcoming the Midshipmen and Sun Devil players and coaches, as well as thousands of their fans, and providing them with a memorable experience in San Francisco.”

The Sun Devils finished the regular season 7-5, with a 5-4 record in the Pac-12, including a 41-34 victory over in-state rival Arizona.  Arizona State scored 24 fourth quarter points to rally from a 10-point deficit in that game as running back Marion Grice carried 18 times for a career-high 156 yards and three touchdowns.

“Arizona State is an outstanding football team with great players on both sides of the ball,” said Navy head football coach Ken Niumatalolo.  “We have played a very tough schedule this year and there is no doubt that Arizona State will be as talented as any team we’ve faced.  However, right now our only focus is on Saturday’s game against Army.  It’s the biggest game of the year and this year it has added significance with the Commander-In-Chief’s Trophy on the line. We will worry about Arizona State after the Army game.”

“The annual goal for every college football team is to have a successful season and play in a Bowl game,” said Arizona State head coach Todd Graham.  “We are very proud to have reached that goal by participating in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl against a worthy opponent such as the U.S. Naval Academy.   It will be an honor to travel to and participate in this wonderful Bowl experience in one of America’s great cities.”

Led by junior QB Taylor Kelly, Arizona State was third in the Pac-12 in scoring offense, averaging 36.4 points per game.   The Sun Devils were also formidable defensively, ranking second [to Pac-12 champion Stanford] in allowing only 350.8 yards per contest.

Kelly (224-340-2,772-25 TD-9 INT) completed 65.9% of his pass attempts while throwing for an average 231 yards per game.   Five receivers caught 33 or more passes on the year, led by WR Chris Coyle (53-659-5 TD).

Arizona State ranked first overall against the pass, permitting just 178.8 yards per game through the air in the passing-conscious Pac-12 Conference.

The Sun Devils additionally picked off 20 passes in 12 games, returning three for touchdowns.    Part of that success is attributed to a front seven that ranked second in the Pac-12 with 48 sacks.

Junior defensive tackle Will Sutton was named the Pat Tillman Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year despite missing a portion of the season due to injury.   He had a team-leading 10.5 sacks while totaling 58 stops.

Senior DE Brandon Magee was the Pac-12’s second-leading tackler, with 104 stops that also featured 6.5 sacks.   He had 17 tackles against Arizona.

“Based on our visit in 2004, we have seen first hand that the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl is a magnificent overall environment and event,” said Naval Academy Director of Athletics Chet Gladchuk.  “The city of San Francisco, the stadium, the hospitality from the community, the bowl administration and the beauty of Northern California present as fine a postseason experience as we could possibly enjoy.  The Academy is sincerely grateful to Gary Cavalli and his staff for inviting us back and setting the stage for our team to earn an enjoyable trip to the West Coast and an inspiring matchup against a great Arizona State team.”

Tickets for the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl are on sale now at www.navysports.com.

Tickets can also be purchased starting Monday morning at 9 a.m. by calling 1-800-US4-NAVY or at the Ricketts Hall Box Office.

Ticket prices are $25 (Upper Level End Zone), $40 (Upper Level Corner), $50 (Upper Level Sideline and Lower Level End Zone and Corner), $60 (Lower Level Sideline and Sideline Bleacher behind the team bench) and $75 (Club).  The only way to sit with the Navy contingent is to buy your tickets through the Navy ticket office.

Fans can also purchase tickets to sponsor midshipmen and enlisted personnel and their families for $50 per ticket. Donated tickets are 100% tax deductible.

“We strongly encourage Navy fans to buy their bowl tickets directly from the Naval Academy Athletic Association,” said Gladchuk. “It is very important for this game and for future Navy bowl considerations for our fans to purchase tickets through the NAAA. If you can’t make it to the game we ask that Navy fans buy tickets for our midshipmen and enlisted personnel, which will allow us to create the usual pageantry of Navy football.”

This will be Navy’s 18^th bowl appearance in school history and the ninth in the last 10 years.

With future Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis inching closer to the end of his career, the subject of the Ravens finding his eventual replacement is nothing new.

One of the most recent names to be discussed this offseason was Arizona State linebacker Vontaze Burfict. However, character issues, a subpar junior season, and poor workout numbers have caused his draft stock to plummet from a potential first-round pick to a prospect some teams may remove from their boards entirely.

It’s a position similar to what current Ravens linebacker Dannell Ellerbe faced three years ago. After being a second-team all-SEC selection as a junior at Georgia, a knee injury in his senior season and off-the-field questions dramatically changed Ellerbe’s draft fate.

“It went from starting out [projected to go in the] first round and getting hurt [as a senior],” Ellerbe said on AM 1570 WNST on Tuesday. “[I was] going into the draft having to work my way back up.”

Signed by the Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2009, Ellerbe made the 53-man roster and eventually grabbed the starting inside linebacker job next to Lewis by the end of his rookie year. Replacing an injured Tavares Gooden, Ellerbe started the final three games of the regular season and two playoff games. He finished his rookie campaign with 41 tackles and a critical interception in the regular-season finale that helped clinch a playoff spot.

His future appeared bright as it looked like the hard-hitting linebacker was realizing the potential scouts saw prior to his senior season in college.

But instead of building on his rookie success, Ellerbe showed up to his second training camp out of shape and lost his starting job to Jameel McClain. To make matters worse, an embarrassing showboating incident on an interception return for a touchdown in a preseason game in St. Louis carved out an even bigger spot in coach John Harbaugh’s doghouse.

Ellerbe has been trying to climb back up the ladder ever since as a backup. Injuries limited Ellerbe to nine games last season as he dealt with several ailments, including a sprained foot that left him on crutches following the AFC Championship game in New England.

His ability to play the run effectively has never been questioned, but, much like McClain, his pass coverage remains underwhelming.

Now entering his fourth season, the 26-year-old is looking to establish himself in Baltimore for the long haul.

“I still haven’t felt that yet,” Ellerbe said. “I still work year to year, and I’m still pushing myself every day. I don’t think I’ve ever felt that way. I just want to go out there and do my business and show that I belong in the league.”

Entering free agency with the threat of losing McClain, the Ravens placed the second-round tender on Ellerbe, who was a restricted free agent. He appeared to be in line as the favorite to start next to Lewis before a slow market for inside linebackers allowed the Ravens to re-sign McClain to a three-year deal last week.

The turn of events appears to have left Ellerbe in a familiar position as the primary backup and fighting to simply get on the field. With inside linebacker still a position the Ravens are likely to target in the draft, the end result of that final weekend in April could dramatically change Ellerbe’s fate in Baltimore.

Drafting an inside linebacker in the first few rounds would not only threaten Ellerbe’s standing on the depth chart, but it could push him off the roster entirely. With Ellerbe scheduled to make $1.92 million this season, the addition of a rookie inside linebacker could prompt general manager Ozzie Newsome to consider withdrawing the second-round tender to clear some cap room to address other needs — and make Ellerbe a free agent.

No matter how the offseason plays out, the 2012 season will be a big one for Ellerbe in trying to carve out a more prominent role for the future — in Baltimore or somewhere else. Planning to begin training with Lewis in a few weeks, Ellerbe would still like to realize that potential with the team that took a chance on him after watching his once-promising draft stock disintegrate.

“I love the fans and just love the atmosphere in Baltimore,” Ellerbe said. “So I’m definitely ready to get back and ink my deal. At the end of the day, it’s a business.  I understand that, but I love the Ravens. I would love to end my career in Baltimore.”

To hear Dannell Ellerbe’s entire conversation with WNST.net’s Thyrl Nelson, click HERE.

At the end-of-season press conference a few weeks ago, it looked like the Ravens’ offensive line would undergo significant changes in 2012.

That doesn’t appear to be a foregone conclusion anymore.

With general manager Ozzie Newsome expressing a more positive outlook on free-agent Pro Bowl guard Ben Grubbs on Friday and veteran center Matt Birk intending to come back for a 15th NFL season, the Ravens could ultimately field the same starting offensive line when it kicks off the 2012 season in September. Before that can happen, however, Newsome and the front office must make difficult decisions regarding each player.

Considered all but a foregone conclusion that Grubbs would depart via free agency when speaking about the 2007 first-round pick’s future a few weeks ago, Newsome and coach John Harbaugh revealed in Indianapolis that the Ravens have had contract discussions with Grubbs’ agent Pat Dye. The Ravens must still decide whether they can award another hefty contract to an interior lineman after signing Pro Bowl guard Marshal Yanda to a five-year, $32.5 million contract, a deal that would almost certainly need to be surpassed to keep Grubbs in Baltiimore.

Widely regarded as the Ravens’ best offensive lineman, Grubbs will be difficult to keep should he hit the open market on March 13, but the comments made by Newsome and Harbaugh suggest they may have enough salary cap room to keep the 2011 Pro Bowl selection. At the very least, the remarks served as a volley to Grubbs and Dye to show how serious they are about trying to reach an agreement before the start of free agency.

Meanwhile, the Ravens have different factors to weigh in deciding whether to re-sign Birk, who will be 36 years old next season. When asked about Birk on Friday before his agent Joe Linta revealed his client’s intentions to play again in 2012, Newsome was non-committal and previously said during the season-ending press conference the Ravens would add another center to the roster regardless of what happened with either Birk or fellow veteran Andre Gurode.

Working out a short-term contract for Birk that makes sense for both sides shouldn’t be an issue, but the veteran will want to know what the Ravens envision for his role next season. A cerebral player and a great teammate, Birk would be the ideal mentor for a potential draft pick such as Wisconsin’s Peter Konz, but he may not be as receptive should the Ravens ask him to be a reserve.

Speaking of Konz or a player of similar ability, he would be a valuable pick at the end of the first round if the Ravens elect to sign Birk but are unable to retain Grubb’s services. Considered physical enough to play guard in addition to center at the professional level, Konz could spend a season at left guard while learning from Birk at the center position before taking over the position full-time in 2013.

Regardless of what they ultimately decide with Grubbs and Birk, the Ravens will look to address the offensive line in April’s draft, especially when factoring in aging left tackle Bryant McKinnie and his contract that expires next season. Even if the Ravens decide against taking a guard or center in the early rounds, a talented but green left tackle such as Ohio State’s Mike Adams may be available at the end of the first round for Newsome and the front office to strongly consider.

Hill intriguing

One of the most pleasant surprises of the NFL Combine this weekend in Indianapolis was Georgia Tech wide receiver Stephen Hill, who joined WNST.net’s Glenn Clark last Friday, before showing impressive athleticism over the weekend.

Playing in Paul Johnson’s run-oriented triple-option offense, Hill’s stats (28 receptions and five touchdowns in 2011) don’t exactly scream premium talent, but his 6-foot-4, 215-pound frame and 4.36-second 40 time turned more than a few heads in Indianapolis. Though teams should proceed with caution while trying to learn more about Hill’s ability as a receiver other than the limited passing tree he ran with the Yellow Jackets, he certainly looks like the prototype the Ravens could use as a red-zone target as well as another speedy option to complement Torrey Smith.

Continue >>>

You know how it works. 15 positive football observations, 7 “not so” positive football observations and one “oh no” moment from outside the world of football.

(As a reminder, we don’t do Baltimore Ravens analysis here. We do PLENTY of that elsewhere. This is about the rest of the world of football.)

15 Positive Observations…

1. Jerome Simpson is HOLY CRAP THAT TOUCHDOWN WAS SO AMAZING I DON’T KNOW HOW TO FINISH THIS SENTENCE.

The ESPY Awards are an annual event put on by ESPN that you’ve never watched from start to finish despite the fact that the “Worldwide Leader in Sports” promotes them for about 6 months.

And since you likely won’t be watching next July, I’ll prevent the suspense. Jerome Simpson’s TD catch for the Cincinnati Bengals against the Arizona Cardinals Saturday wins SOMETHING.

As our own Brian Billick said on FOX, “you don’t get style points in the NFL but that oughtta be worth eight.”

Or more.

Oh, and don’t look now but Cincy is playing great football just before they welcome the Ravens to Paul Brown Stadium next Sunday with the fate of the AFC North hanging in the balance. I don’t want to talk about that right now though. Perhaps never.

2. You just can’t help but be thrilled for Jim Schwartz and the Detroit Lions.

As someone who roots for a baseball team that hasn’t made the playoffs since 1997, I know a thing or two about what it must have felt like for fans in the Music City to watch their team clinch a Wild Card spot in the final moments of their win over the San Diego Chargers Saturday night…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTwsmzTk7Lc

The Bolts were finally eliminated from the playoffs, which you would assume will lead to Norv Turner’s firing. They may or may not have already interviewed Bill Cowher for Turner’s job, and Jon Gruden may or may not be next.

In the meantime, if you’re going to lose at least do it with amazing hair like SD DE Antonio Garay…

3. Kellen Moore and Boise State deserved much better than blowing out an Arizona State team that didn’t bother to try before Christmas in Las Vegas.

It was the final win of a record-setting career for the Broncos quarterback, it was just really unfortunate it happened in this venue instead of in a BCS bowl, as America would have enjoyed watching them play a team that actually gave a s**t…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIXqNJhQPww

The win came as rumors swirled that Penn State was interested in hiring BSU coach Chris Petersen. In a related story, I am interested in being hired by Saturday Night Live.

Petersen obviously is not interested in replacing Joe Paterno in State College. And if you were living as large as this dude is, why would you take ANY job?

4. Cam Newton totally Cam Newton’ed the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Saturday.

In the Carolina Panthers’ win over the Bucs Saturday, Newton broke National Football League records for rookie passing yards (Peyton Manning) and quarterback rushing touchdowns (Steve Grogan). He did it in pretty spectacular fashion…

Things couldn’t be worse for the Bucs. Head coach Raheem Morris apparently “sent home” DE Brian Price after getting a 15 yard personal foul call and the team’s freefall continued on toward what looks more and more likely to be Morris’ ultimate firing.

I kinda feel bad for them. Perhaps I should offer some of my mom (the great Karen Clark)’s holiday stuffed shells…

Kick rocks, ham.

5. I don’t know if David Akers’ record for the most field goals in a single season should be considered “significant”, but he owns it either way.

Akers broke the record with FIVE field goals in the San Francisco 49ers’ win over the Seattle Seahawks, moving the Niners a step closer to clinching the Number 2 seed in the NFC.

The Seahawks’ slim postseason hopes may have disappeared, but Marshawn Lynch HAS THE GREATEST PAIR OF KICKS I HAVE EVER SEEN…

Perhaps Foster the People has a follow up ready?

But as amazing as they are, perhaps Under Armour & Brandon Jennings did one better with their “Rudolph” inspired kicks…

Okay…synthetic fur? I HAVE to get back into the shoe game.

6. You might have survived the insanity to get the Air Jordan XI Concords, but USC fans still got a better Christmas gift than you.

Matt Barkley returning to Southern California is confusing because we know he would have been a potential Top 5 pick in the NFL Draft, but we also know what could be ahead. Heisman Trophy, Pac 12 & BCS Championship hopes and bevies of hot chicks.

I mean, the guy can play Jason Mraz on the guitar. He must be dodging panties every day he walks around Los Angeles. Tough life there…

Of course, he’s also been filmed doing this…

7. I’ll ask for the 8th time. Can everyone please stop telling me about the New England Patriots’ defense?

With the Pats trailing the Miami Dolphins 17-0 at halftime Saturday, Facebook and Twitter were alive in Charm City with hopes of the Ravens still having a shot at the #1 seed in the AFC.

I however looked at my executive producer Ryan Chell and said “when Tom Brady decides to start playing I think they’ll be fine.”

They were. The Pats charged back from the halftime deficit to beat the Fins and are now a win away from clinching the #1 seed in the AFC. Apparently none of that is enough for owner Robert Kraft to get a high five…

Also, this looks like a good holiday film/way to make sure you don’t struggle in the red zone…

Of note for Miami, Reggie Bush remarkably ran for 100+ yards AGAIN in the defeat and we learned this weekend his mom does not want him to get back together with Kim Kardashian. That’s fine, I think Catalina Otalvaro would be a better catch anyway…

(Continued on Page 2)

Honorable Mention: Women’s College Basketball-UMBC @ Navy (Tuesday 7pm Alumni Hall)

10. Kix (Friday 7pm Rams Head Live); Cinder Road (Friday 7pm Recher Theatre); Mint Condition (Thursday 7:30pm Baltimore Soundstage); Cris Jacobs Band (Friday 8pm 8×10 Club); Carbon Leaf (Thursday 8pm Friday 3pm & 8pm Rams Head on Stage), Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers (Monday 8pm Rams Head on Stage); Chuck Brown/Wale (Wednesday 6pm 9:30 Club); Common “The Dreamer, The Believer” available in stores/on iTunes (Tuesday)

Judge me all you want. I went to see Mint Condition (and Boyz II Men actually) on the 4th of July a few years ago in Phoenix. It was AWESOME.

Knowing CJB is playing in Federal Hill Friday night only makes me sad thinking about The Bridge…

I’m such a nerdy fan of Carbon Leaf…

Honestly, I don’t think much of Wale’s new record. But his first was a freaking JAM…

9. John Waters Christmas (Wednesday 8pm Modell Performing Arts Center-Lyric); “Warrior” available on DVD/Blu-Ray (Tuesday); “The Adventures of Tintin” (Wednesday) & “War Horse” (Sunday) out in theaters

If I can’t make it to The Lyric Wednesday night, I’d be willing to settle for watching old clips of John Waters talking to David Letterman…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRJ-CZAnQNs

“Warrior” was the best movie of the year you didn’t see. Did you enjoy “The Wrestler”? “The Fighter”? Yeah…that realm.

Oh, and “War Horse” is the movie your girlfriend REALLY wants to see but is also REALLY afraid might be very sad so she’s thinking about not seeing it.

Wait. Strike that.

“War Horse” is the movie MY girlfriend REALLY wants to see but is also REALLY afraid might be very sad so she’s thinking about not seeing it.

It’s confusing. Here’s this!