NAVAL PRESENCE IS FELT FAR BEYOND 4-0 MARK
The Tennessean 092604 (C9-27)
NAVAL PRESENCE IS FELT FAR BEYOND 4-0 MARK
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David Climer is a senior writer and columnist for The Tennessean. He can be
reached at (615) 259-8020 or dclimer@tennessean.com.
ANNAPOLIS, Md. ‹ The BCS will hardly take note, of course, but Navy's 4-0
record is somehow more significant than mere numbers, national rankings or
postseason aspirations.
Watching the way the Naval Academy went about business yesterday, be it on
the field, in the stands or on the campus grounds, is heartening for the
rest of us.
We're in good hands, folks.
In times like these, there's nothing quite like a visit to a service academy
to remind you of the commitment and resolve required by those who protect
and serve.
Even if you're anti-military or perhaps ambivalent to such things, it's
difficult to come away unimpressed by what you see.
It's not just another college football game.
Case in point: Amid all the statistical data distributed before the game was
a somber notation that two former members of the Navy football team ‹ Lt.
Cmdr. Scott Zellem (Class of '91) and First Lt. Ron Winchester (Class of
'01) ‹ were killed in the line of duty in the last two months.
How's that for perspective?
Many college football players dream of the NFL. At Navy, you prepare for
bigger things.
''They have great guys over there, great kids,'' said Vanderbilt Coach Bobby
Johnson, gracious after yet another loss. ''I've followed their program.
That's the cream of the crop of young people in America.''
And the cream rose to the top yet again yesterday, much to Vanderbilt's
disappointment
A half-hour before kickoff, the entire Brigade of Midshipmen, all in their
dress whites, began the march from the gates of the Academy to Jack Stephens
Field at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.
After the national anthem, four F-18 fighter jets buzzed low overhead.
And then there is the stadium itself. On the facades of each deck of seats
are the names of key battles involving the Navy and Marines ‹ everything
from Chateau-Thierry in World War I to Enduring Freedom, which is ongoing.
OK, so they offset God Bless America with a piped-in Welcome To The Jungle
by Guns 'N' Roses. I guess you've gotta balance all the patriotic standards
with something for the kids.
On the field, the Midshipmen are all about determination and perseverance.
Nothing comes easy. And they seem to like it that way.
''They're a very dedicated team,'' Vanderbilt linebacker Otis Washington
said. ''It's mind over matter sometimes. I just respect them period for the
way they play. Š
''They're persistent.''
How's this for persistent: After committing some uncharacteristic mistakes
to fall behind 19-14 less than five minutes into the second half, Navy drove
74 yards in 10 plays to reclaim the lead and impose their will.
From there, Navy's defense held the Commodores to successive three-and-outs.
On those two possessions, Vanderbilt's offense snapped the ball six times
and gained a grand total of 3 yards.
''That really changed the momentum in our favor,'' Navy defensive end Jeremy
Chase said. ''That was huge.''
Vanderbilt was on the ropes and everybody knew it. That's the difference
between a team that went to a bowl last year and got off to a fast start
this season and a team that hasn't been bowling in 22 years and was
0-for-September.
''We laid the foundation last year,'' Navy safety Josh Smith said. ''We
wanted to come out and start this season like we finished last year. We know
last year was no fluke. It gave us confidence.''
And after a visit to the Naval Academy, there's a lot of that going around.
© Copyright 2004 The Tennessean
A Gannett Co. Inc. newspaper
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