Military Bowl - Navy vs. Pitt Live Blog

We will be live blogging the Military Bowl from Annapolis, MD this afternoon. This year's contest features a match up between Navy (10-2) and Pitt (8-4). Navy is looking for win number 11 which would be a school record. Pitt is looking for win number 9 that would be the most wins by a Pitt team since 2009. Check in throughout the game for updates and game notes. 

Fourth quarter - 

0:00 - Navy runs out the clock and gets the 2015 Military Bowl win over Pitt, 44-28.

2:02 - Navy's EK Binns is shaken up on the play. Navy faces a 3rd and 4 on their own 32.

3:29 - Clements picks off Peterman's pass at the Navy 15. That's Clements' second INT today.

3:44 - Pitt drives into Navy territory.

4:19 - Keenan Reynolds with a 9 yard TD run. The PAT is blocked and Navy leads 44-28 over the Panthers. The Navy scoring drive was 9-75-5:16. The TD is Reynolds' 88th career TD, an NCAA career TD record. Navy has 395 rushing yards in today's game.

4:24 - Navy calls their second timeout of the second half facing a 3rd and 7 at the Pitt 9.

5:31 - Navy forces Pitt to jump on a 4th and 3. Navy has a 1st and 10 from the Pitt 12.

8:00 - Romine with a 43 yard run to the Pitt 24 yard line.

9:35 - Ollison carries the ball 45 yards for a Pitt TD. Following Blewitt's PAT, Navy leads 38-28. Pitt's scoring drive was 4-73-1:23.

9:58 - Nate Peterman runs for 15 yards to the Navy 45 yard line.

10:58 - Gulley with a 15 yard TD run to give Navy a 38-21 lead. Navy's drive was 14-68-6:59.

11:52 - Chris Swain converts the fourth down with a 2 yard carry to the Pitt 15. The rush gives Swain 1000 yards rushing this season.

12:02 - Demond Brown is shaken up on the play. Navy faces another 4th down conversion attempt.

14:05 - Keenan Reynolds converts a 4th and 2 with a 13 yard carry to the Pitt 26.

Third quarter - 

0:00 - At the end of the third quarter, Navy leads 31-21. Navy has the ball 3rd and 7 on the Pitt 44. Today's attendance is 36,352 - the second largest in Military Bowl history. It's also the 10th largest at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.

2:57 - Chris Swain fumbles and the ball is picked up by Jordan Whitehead who returns the ball 22 yards for a Pitt touchdown. Navy now leads Pitt by just 10, 31-21.

3:14 - Peterson completes a four yard TD pass to Ollison. Blewitt's PAT cuts Navy's lead to 31-14. Pitt's scoring drive was 10-85-4:57. 

4:57 - Peterman completes a 10 yard pass to Ollison to the Navy 9 yard line.

6:51 - Whitehead with a 28 yard carry down to the Navy 3 yard line.

8:11 - Austin Grebe kicks a 35 yard field goal to give Navy a 31-7 lead over Pitt. Navy's scoring drive was 6-59-2:42.

8:16 - Navy calls their first timeout of the second half facing a 4th down and 3 on the Pitt 17.

10:00 - Reynolds breaks off a 44 yard run to the Pitt 24. With that run Reynolds becomes the all-time leading rusher for a QB in FBS history. Currently, Reynolds is Navy's leading passer, rusher, and receiver.

11:04 - Pitt is forced to punt with a 4th and 2 in their own territory. Navy takes over at their own 34.

12:28 - Demond Brown carries the ball 26 yards off the right side for a Navy TD. Navy leads Pitt 28-7. Navy's scoring drive was 5-75-2:32.

14:12 - Shawn White completes a 47 yard pass to Keenan Reynolds to the Pitt 29 yard line. The catch is Reynolds' first career reception.

14:54 - Navy takes the second half kickoff to their own 25 yard line.

Notable first half stats - 

Navy leads the time of possession battle 20:50 to 9:10. 

Pitt has two turnovers in the first half (both INTs in the end zone), Navy has none. 

Navy has 287 yards (180 rushing, 107 passing). Pitt has 144 yards (72 rushing and 72 passing).

Second quarter - 

0:00 - At the half, Navy leads Pitt 21-7. Navy will receive the second half kickoff.

0:36 - Peterman is picked off in the end zone by Brendon Clements who returns the ball to the Navy 15.

1:35 - Dontez Ford returns the kickoff 17 yards to the Pitt 42 yard line then catches a 20 yard pass from Peterman.

1:41 - Reynolds completes an 11-yard TD pass to Carmona. Following Austin Grebe's PAT, Navy leads Pitt 21-7. The TD catch is just Carmona's third career reception. Navy's scoring drive was 12-84-4:23.

2:39 - Reynolds completes a 14 yard pass to DeBrandon Sanders to the Pitt 18.

3:10 - Reynolds carries again for 14 yards to the Pitt 32. Pitt's Reggie Mitchell is banged up on the play. Navy has attempted 10 passes in the first half today which is the fourth most that they've attempted in a game this year.

3:45 - Rreynolds runs for 10 yards to the Pitt 46 yard line.

6:04 - Lorentez Barber picked off Nate Peterman's pass at the Navy 16 yard line. It's the games first turnover.

8:05 - Navy takes a delay of game (the first of the game) and will punt from the Pitt 46. The punt was shanked and is placed at the Pitt 33.

9:07 - Reynolds completes a 16 yard pass to Toneo Gulley to the Pitt 45.

11:43 - Pitt's kicker Chris Blewitt misses a 29 yard field goal wide left. Navy takes over at their own 20 yard line.

12:29 - Navy calls their second timeout with Pitt at the Navy 13.

13:25 - Strong safety Jordan Whitehead, who also plays on the offensive side of the ball, runs 22 yards to the Navy 14 yard line. Whitehead was the ACC Freshman Defensive Player of the Year this season.

13:47 - OL Alex Officer is banged up for Pitt after injuring his leg on a Qadree Ollison run to the Navy 36.

First quarter - 

0:00 - Navy leads Pitt 14-7 at the end of the first quarter. Navy's time of possession in the first quarter was 12:07 to Pitt's 2:53. Navy also out gained Pitt in total offense 161-44. Pitt ran just seven plays in the first quarter.

0:21 - Nate Peterson completes a 12 yard pass to Tyler Boyd to the Navy 37.

0:41 - Reynolds scores from 5 yards out and Navy leads Pitt, 14-7. The TD is Reynolds' 87th career TD that ties him for the FBS career TD record with Kenneth Dixon from Louisiana Tech. Navy's scoring drive was 14-86-6:47.

1:23 - Navy calls their first timeout with a 1st and goal at the Pitt 7 yard line.

3:26 - Reynolds completes an 16-yard pass to DeBrandon Sanders for a Navy first down at the Pitt 18.

3:35 - Pitt calls their first timeout with Navy on the Pitt 34 facing a 3rd and 8.

7:15 - Reynolds completes a 26-yard pass to Demnond Brown to the Navy 40.

7:38 - Pitt is forced to punt with a 4th and 7 on the Navy 47 yard line. The ball is downed on the Navy 14.

8:44 - Tyler Boyd, Pitt's WR runs for 21 yards to the 50 yard line.

9:10 - Navy's DE Amos Mason is banged up on the play and helped off the field.

9:26 - Keenan Reynolds runs in his 86th career TD from one yard out. The TD was set up by a nine yard run by Chris Swain to the Pitt 2 yard line. Navy and Pitt are tied at 7-7. Navy's scoring drive was 10-75-5:26.

12:33 - Dishan Romine takes the pitch on the left side for 31 yards to the Pitt 16 yard line.

13:38 - Keenan Reynolds completes his first pass to Jamir Tillman for 12 yards to the Navy 49 yard line for a Navy first down.

14:46 - Pitt return man Quadree Henderson takes the opening kickoff 99 yards for a Pitt touchdown. Pitt leads 7-0.

Pre-game -  

2:35 PM - Navy wins the coin toss and elects to defer to the second half.  Pitt will receive to start the game.

2:30 PM - Miss America, Betty Cantrell sings the National Anthem. Her microphone had some technical difficulties and the crowd assisted by singing the National Anthem with her until a new microphone was found.  During the Anthem a field-sized flag was displayed.

2:15 PM - 20 minutes till kickoff and Team Fastrax Parachute Jump Team just landed in the stadium.

2:00 PM - A win by the Midshipmen would give this year's senior class 36 career wins which would tie a school record held by the class of 1909.

1:45 - Keenan Reynolds has 85 rushing touchdowns this season and needs two more to tie and three more to break the all-time FBS career touchdown record currently held by Kenneth Dixon, a senior at Louisiana Tech.

1:30 PM - Pitt is wearing their all white pants and jerseys and gold helmets. The Midshipmen are wearing their uniforms from the Army-Navy game with helmets featuring hand painted Navy ships based on the player's position.

Navy faces Pitt in the Military Bowl

Navy (10-2) will take on Pitt (8-4) in the Military Bowl presented by Northrop Grumman on Monday, December 28.  The game will be played at Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, MD, the home field of Navy.

The Military Bowl will be a matchup of a great rushing team against a great run defense.  The Mids are ranked number three in the country in rushing, averaging 319 yards per game.  The Panthers counter with the number 20 ranked run defense giving up a mere 126 yards per game.  This battle should ultimately decide the outcome of the game.

Pitt holds a 22-14-3 record against Navy dating back to 1912.  The two teams have split the last four meetings with the Mids winning the last time the two teams met in Annapolis in 2013.

The Military Bowl will be Navy’s 12th bowl appearance in the last 13 seasons.  Before the current streak, the Midshipmen had gone to just nine bowl games in its history.  Navy comes into the game looking for a school-record 11^th victory.  A win over the Panthers would give the Navy senior class 36 wins and tie the school record with the class of 1909.  They would also be the first class in school history to win three bowl games.

The #21 ranked Midshipmen are led by prolific senior quarterback, Keenan Reynolds who finished fifth in this year’s Heisman Trophy voting.  Reynolds has scored 85 career rushing touchdowns, the most rushing touchdowns in Division I history and the second-most total touchdowns in FBS history.

Reynolds needs two touchdowns to tie and three touchdowns to break the FBS record for total touchdowns held by Kenneth Dixon of Louisiana Tech (87) and two rushing touchdowns to become the first player in NCAA history to have three seasons of scoring 23 or more rushing touchdowns in a season.

Reynolds has rushed for a school-record 4,415 yards in his career and has the third-most rushing yards in NCAA history for a quarterback. He is 65 yards behind West Virginia’s Pat White for second and 80 yards behind record-holder Denard Robinson from Michigan.

For Pitt to be in the game they will need to contain Navy’s triple option offense led by Reynolds and fullbacks Chris Swain and Quinton Ezell.  The three ball carriers have accounted for 37 rushing TDs this season.  Pitt faced a triple option team in Georgia Tech earlier this year and won 31-28 on a 56-yard field goal by Chris Blewitt with 1:11 left in the game.

Navy’s offense is more polished and quicker version than the one run by Georgia Tech.

The Pitt defenders will have to play a disciplined defense to not get beat by a surprisingly effective Navy passing game.  Reynolds has thrown for 1077 yards and seven touchdowns this season – five of them to junior wide receiver, Jamir Tillman. 

Pitt’s offense is led by junior quarterback Nate Peterman.  Peterman has thrown for 2150 yards and 19 touchdowns and his favorite receiver is junior Tyler Boyd.

Boyd leads the team with 85 receptions and six touchdowns.  The Military Bowl could be Boyd’s last game in a Panther uniform as he’s debating declaring for the NFL draft after the season.  Only a junior, Boyd has become Pitt’s career leader in both receptions (248) and receiving yards (3,308).

Tight end J.P. Holtz has 24 catches for 350 yards and four touchdowns.

Freshman running back Qadree Ollison has been the surprise contributor on the offensive side of the ball this season.  Ollison got his first action of the season in the season opener when James Connor and Chris James both went down with injuries.  Ollison ran for 207 yards and a touchdown on just 16 carries in that game against Youngstown State.

Ollison leads the Pitt rushing attack with 1084 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Pitt became the first school in ACC history to sweep the league Rookie of the Year awards. The media voted redshirt freshman tailback Qadree Ollison Offensive Rookie of the Year while freshman safety Jordan Whitehead was voted Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Navy’s rush defense is ranked number 34 nationally, giving up just 138 yards per game.  Defensive Coordinator Dale Pehrson’s defense has forced 24 turnovers this year.  With the offense’s efficiency in protecting the football, the Mids have the best turnover ratio in the nation.

Navy has five players with 60 plus tackles this season including senior Will Anthony who also has 7.5 of the team’s 22 sacks and three forced fumbles.

Pitt has three players with 60 or more tackles, led by Jordan Whitehead with 99.  Ejuan Price leads the Panthers with 11.5 sacks and Avonte Maddox has three of the team’s 10 interceptions. 

Both teams like to run the football and will shorten the game with their ball control offenses.  That means that every possession will be important in this game.

The keys to winning the game for both teams are simple – control the opponent’s ground game, avoid turnovers, and don’t give away yards with penalties.  The team that is most successful in these three areas will win this very even matchup.

Festivities for the Military Bowl will kick off at 11:30 with a parade from Annapolis City Dock to Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.  The F-18 Hornets from Oceana, VA will perform the fly-by and Miss America Betty Cantrell will sing the National Anthem.

Game time is set for 2:30 and will be televised on ESPN.

Army - Navy Live Blog

We will be live blogging today's Army-Navy game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Navy (9-2) comes into today's game against Army (2-9) as a heavy favorite. History tells us to throw the records out the window when these two teams play each other. Although the Midshipmen have won fourteen straight against the Black Knights, expect a competitive game this afternoon in the 116th meeting between these two service academies. 

6:28 - Navy with an INT at the goal line. 

6:27 - Army with a pass into Navy territory. 

6:26 - Navy punts for the 10th time. Army ball on their own 20. 

6:18 - Lorentez Barber picks off the Army pass and Navy has the ball at the Army 35 with 3:27 left in the game.

6:16 - Navy's punt goes into the end zone and it's Army's ball with 3:36 left in the game.

6:13 - Navy has a fourth down and six on the Army 40 yard line.  Navy runs the play clock down to 0 and calls a time out.  With 3:43 left in the game, Navy holds on to a 4 point lead.

6:09 - Reynolds completes a pass to Demond Brown for a Navy first down.

6:05 - Army fumbles and Navy's Ted Colburn recovers at the Navy 34.  8:33 left in the game and Navy leads by 4.

6:04 - Carter completes a 39 yard pass to DeAndre Bell.  Army with a first down at the Navy 33.

6:00 - Navy is forced to punt for the eighth time tonight.  Army takes over at their own 28.

5:53 - Army misses a 29-yard field goal wide left and Navy leads 21-17 with 12:19 left in the game.

5:46 - The third quarter ends with the score, Navy 21, Army 17. Army has the ball on the Navy 22, 3rd and 1.

5:42 - Carte completes a 30 yard pass to Poe to the Navy 49.  Poe has 5 catches for 121 yards, both career highs for the Army junior.

5:41 - Navy will punt again also.  The MVP may be a punter tonight. Army takes over at their own 21.

5:39 - Time for another Army punt following a Will Anthony sack. Navy fair catch at their own 36.

5:36 - Jamir Tillman has 5 catches for 102 yards.  Reynolds now has 30 career TD passes, a school record.

5:34 - There's the big play - Keenan Reynolds completes a 50 yard TD pass to Jamir Tillman. Navy takes the lead, 21-17 with 5:51 left in the third quarter.

5:33 - Navy with a sack on third down forces an Army punt. Both defenses are playing very well tonight. One big play could decide this game.

5:30 - Navy has punted more times tonight (6) than they have in any game this season.  They punted 5 times against Air Force.

5:27 - Army's defense is stout again forcing another 3-and-out for the Mids. Navy's punter, Alex Barta has punted 6 times in the game.  His last punt traveled 66 yards.

5:22 - Navy's defense comes up big and forces Army to punt again. Navy will start on their own 29 yard line. Navy has only 20 carries in the game so far - Reynolds and Chris Swain each have nine carries.

5:19 - Today's attendance is 69, 722.

5:16 - Army forces a 3-and-out of their own and Navy punts from their own 37.  Army fair catches at the Army 26 with 11:52 left in the third quarter.

5:11- Navy forces a 3-and-out and Army punts from their own 21. Navy calls a fair catch at the Navy 32.

5:08 - Army starts the second half on their 25 yard line.

5:00 - Army leads the time of possession in the first half - 17:26 to 12:34.  The Black Knights also lead in total offense - 206-190.  Neither team has turned the ball over in the half.  Navy has punted 4 times to Army's 2.

4:55 - Chris Carter leads Army in rushing with 33 yards on 11 carries.  Tyler Campbell has 31 yards rushing and a TD.  Edgar Poe has 4 receptions and 91 yards receiving with a TD.  Keenan Reynolds leads the Mids rushing attack with 114 yards on 9 carries and 2 TDs.  Jamir Tillman has 4 receptions and 52 yards.  Jeremy Timpf leads Army with 6 tackles and and Daniel Gonzaez has 6 tackles for Navy.

4:44 - It's halftime and Army leads Navy, 17-14 in a shocker.

4:43 - Navy's DE Amos Mason is shaken up on the play.  Freshman Jarvis Polu is his backup.

4:41 - Navy's punt is downed inside the 1 yard line.  Army takes over with 0:18 left in the half.

4:33 - Navy converts a fourth-and-one on the Army 49 when DeBrandon Sanders runs for three yards.  Navy calls a timeout with 0:43 left in the half.

4:31 - Dishan Romine returns the kickoff 42 yards to the Navy 42.

4:27 - Chris Carter hits Edgar Poe for a 39-yard TD pass to give Army the lead again, 17-14 with 2:08 left in the half.  The Black Knight drive lasted 40 seconds and covered 54 yards.  This is the 5th lead change in today's game.

4:22 - Reynolds third down pass falls incomplete and Navy is forced to punt on a 3-and-out.  Army returns the ball to the Army 46 with 2:48 remaining in the half.

4:20 - Navy fumbles on their first play of the drive and recover.  Brings up a second and fourteen.

4:16 - Army faces a 4th and 11 on the Navy 37.  The Black Knight's punt goes barely goes into the end zone and Navy takes over on their own 20 with 4:24 remaining in the half.

4:11 - Army's Freshman QB, Chris Carter is a good runner but takes some big hits.

4:00 - With that TD, Keenan Reynolds now has 7 TDs in an Army-Navy game which is a new record.  He also now has 85 career TDs which is a Division I record - both FBS and FCS.

3:58 - Reynolds punches the ball into the end zone from 1 yard out and Navy regains the lead over Army, 14-10.  Reynolds now has two rushing TDs in today's game.  Navy's scoring drive was 7-50-3:27.

3:56 - Reynolds with a 35 yard run down to the Army 4 yard line.  Reynolds now has 115 yards rushing on the afternoon.

3:51 - It's the end of the first quarter and Army leads Navy, 10-7.

3:49 - Army is forced to punt after a three-and-out from their own 10 yard line.  The punt is fair caught at midfield for the Midshipmen.

3:46 - Navy punts for the second time in the game and downs the ball at Army's six yard line.

3:45 - Keenany Reynolds is now the first QB in Navy history to run and pass for 1000 yards in two seasons.

3:43 - Navy starts on their own 25 for the third consecutive drive.  Reynolds completes a 35-yard pass to Jamir Tillman and Navy has the ball at the Army 40.

3:38 - Army's Tyler Campbell runs 29 yards down the Army sideline for a Black Knight TD.  Army now leads 10-7 with 4:10 remaining in the quarter.  Army's scoring drive was 7-82-3:43 capped off by Campbell's first career TD.  The score was set up by a 13 yard pass to Poe followed by a 15 yard personal foul by Navy.

3:29 - Navy's Keenan Reynolds carries two times for 17 yards and 58 yards (TD) and Navy now leads Army, 7-3 with 7:58 left in the 1st quarter.  Navy's scoring drive was 2 plays for 75 yards and took 33 seconds off the clock.  That was Reynolds' 84th career TD which is an FBS record for most rushing-receiving TDs.

3:27 - Two kickoffs for Army and both have been downed in the end zone.

3:24 - Daniel Grochowski kicks a 31-yard field goal for Army.  With 8:31 left in the 1st quarter, Army leads Navy, 3-0.

3:20 - An offensive penalty and an Army fumble makes a 3-20 for Army at midfield.  Chris Carter completes a 31 yard pass to Poe for a first down   at Navy's 19.

3:15 - Army forces a 4th and 5 on the Army 47 and Navy will punt.  Edgar Poe returns the punt 50 yards to the Navy 40 yard line.

3:11 - The kickoff is downed in the end zone and Navy will star on their 25 yard line.

3:05 - The fly overs have taken place, Army has won the toss and it's game time.  Navy will have the ball first.

3:01 - They just sang the National Anthem and displayed a huge American Flag on the field.

2:50 - The Navy Leap Frogs land perfectly on the Lincoln Financial Field.  Army's Golden Knights are now in the air.

2:33 - Both teams are on the field going through their pre game warmups in preparation for this afternoon's game.  You couldn't ask for better weather.  It's 68 degrees and mostly cloudy with just 35 minutes till kickoff.

Navy Football Week 15

Navy Football - Week 15
vs. Army West Point
December 12
3:00 (CBS)
Philadelphia, PA

Game Notes
Media Guide
Website





Navy (9-2)

Game Notes
Media Guide
Website





Army West Point (2-9)



Navy Interviews

Tuesday, December 8

Monday, December 7

Army-Navy Press Conference

Tuesday, December 1

The Battle for the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy

This Week

If Navy defeats Army West Point on Saturday in Philadelphia, the Mids will earn the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy by way of their victory over Air Force in October (33-11).  

If Army would win the game, Air Force will retain the trophy for another year.

2015-16 College Football Bowl Schedule

The 2015-16 college football bowl schedule is set.  Here’s the complete list of games concluding with the College Football Playoff championship game.

DECEMBER 19

Celebration Bowl: Alcorn State (9-3) vs. North Carolina AT&T (9-2)

Atlanta | Georgia Dome

Noon, ABC

Cure Bowl: San Jose State (5-7) vs. Georgia State (6-6)

Orlando | Orlando Citrus Bowl

Noon, CBS Sports Network

New Mexico Bowl: New Mexico (7-5) vs. Arizona (6-6)

Albuquerque | University Stadium

2 p.m., ESPN

Las Vegas Bowl: BYU (9-3) vs. Utah (9-3)

Las Vegas | Sam Boyd Stadium

3:30 p.m., ABC

Camellia Bowl: Ohio (8-4) vs. Appalachian State (10-2)

Montgomery, Ala. | Cramton Bowl

5:30 p.m., ESPN

New Orleans Bowl: Arkansas State (9-3) vs. Louisiana Tech (8-4)

New Orleans | Superdome

9 p.m., ESPN

DECEMBER 21

Miami Beach Bowl: South Florida (8-4) vs. Western Kentucky (11-2)

Miami | Marlins Park

2:30 p.m. on ESPN

DECEMBER 22

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl: Akron (7-5) vs. Utah State (6-6)

Boise, Idaho | Albertsons Stadium

3:30 p.m., ESPN

Boca Raton Bowl: Temple (10-3) vs. Toledo (9-2)

Boca Raton, Fla. | FAU Stadium

7 p.m., ESPN

DECEMBER 23

Poinsettia Bowl: Boise State (8-4) vs. Northern Illinois (8-5)

San Diego | Qualcomm Stadium

4:30 p.m., ESPN

GoDaddy Bowl: Bowling Green (10-3) vs. Georgia Southern (8-4)

Mobile, Ala. | Ladd-Peebles Stadium

8 p.m., ESPN

DECEMBER 24

Bahamas Bowl: Middle Tennessee (7-5) vs. Western Michigan (7-5)

Nassau, Bahamas | Robinson National Stadium

Noon, ESPN

Hawaii Bowl: San Diego State (10-3) vs. Cincinnati (7-6)

Honolulu | Aloha Stadium

8 p.m., ESPN

DECEMBER 26

St. Petersburg Bowl: Connecticut (6-6) vs. Marshall (9-3)

St. Petersburg, Fla. | Tropicana Field

11 a.m., ESPN

Sun Bowl: Miami (8-4) vs. Washington State (8-4)

El Paso, Texas | Sun Bowl

2 p.m., CBS

Heart of Dallas Bowl: Washington (6-6) vs. Southern Mississippi (9-4)

Dallas | Cotton Bowl

2:20 p.m., ESPN

Pinstripe Bowl: Duke (7-5) vs. Indiana (6-6)

New York City | Yankee Stadium

3:30 p.m., ABC

Independence Bowl: Virginia Tech (6-6) vs. Tulsa (6-6)

Shreveport, La. | Independence Stadium

5:45 p.m. on ESPN

Foster Farms Bowl: Nebraska (5-7) vs. UCLA (8-4)

Santa Clara, Calif. | Levi's Stadium

9:15 p.m., ESPN

DECEMBER 28

Military Bowl: Pitt (8-4) vs. Navy (9-2)

Annapolis, Md. | Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium

2:30 p.m., ESPN

Quick Lane Bowl: Minnesota (5-7) vs. Central Michigan (7-5)

Detroit | Ford Field

5 p.m., ESPN2

DECEMBER 29

Armed Forces Bowl: Air Force (8-5) vs. California (7-5)

Fort Worth, Texas | Amon G. Carter Stadium

2 p.m., ESPN

Russell Athletic Bowl: North Carolina (11-2) vs. Baylor (9-3)

Orlando, Fla. | Citrus Bowl

5:30 p.m., ESPN

Arizona Bowl: Colorado State (7-5) vs. Nevada (6-6)

Tucson, Arizona | Arizona Stadium

7:30 p.m., campusinsiders.com

Texas Bowl: LSU (8-3) vs. Texas Tech (7-5)

Houston | NRG Stadium

9 p.m., ESPN

DECEMBER 30

Birmingham Bowl: Auburn (6-6) vs. Memphis (9-3)

Birmingham, Alabama | Legion Field

Noon, ESPN

Belk Bowl: North Carolina State (7-5) vs. Mississippi State (8-4)

Charlotte, N.C. | Bank of America Stadium

3:30 p.m., ESPN

Music City Bowl: Louisville (7-5) vs. Texas A&M (8-4)

Nashville | LP Field

7 p.m., ESPN

Holiday Bowl: Southern Cal (8-5) vs. Wisconsin (9-3)

San Diego | Qualcomm Stadium

10:30 p.m., ESPN

DECEMBER 31

Peach Bowl: Houston (12-1) vs. Florida State (10-2)

Atlanta | Georgia Dome

Noon, ESPN

College Football Playoff, semifinals

Orange Bowl: No. 1 Clemson (13-0) vs. No. 4 Oklahoma (11-1)

Miami Gardens, Fla. | Sun Life Stadium

4 p.m., ESPN

College Football Playoff, semifinals

Cotton Bowl: No. 2 Alabama (12-1) vs. No. 3 Michigan State (12-1)

Arlington, Texas | AT&T Stadium

8 p.m., ESPN

JANUARY 1

Outback Bowl: Northwestern (10-2) vs. Tennessee (8-4)

Tampa | Raymond James Stadium

Noon, ESPN2

Citrus Bowl: Michigan (9-3) vs. Florida (10-3)

Orlando | Orlando Citrus Bowl

1 p.m., ABC

Fiesta Bowl: Notre Dame (10-2) vs. Ohio State (11-1)

Glendale, Ariz. | University of Phoenix Stadium

1 p.m., ESPN

Rose Bowl: Stanford (11-2) vs. Iowa (12-1)

Pasadena, Calif. | Rose Bowl

5 p.m., ESPN

Sugar Bowl: Oklahoma State (10-2) vs. Ole Miss (9-3)

New Orleans | Superdome

8:30 p.m., ESPN

JANUARY 2

TaxSlayer Bowl: Penn State (7-5) vs. Georgia (9-3)

Jacksonville, Fla. | EverBank Field

Noon, ESPN

Liberty Bowl: Kansas State (6-6) vs Arkansas (7-5)

Memphis | Liberty Bowl

3:20 p.m., ESPN

Alamo Bowl: Oregon (9-3) vs. TCU (10-2)

San Antonio, Texas | Alamodome

6:45 p.m., ESPN

Cactus Bowl: West Virginia (7-5) vs. Arizona State (6-6)

Phoenix | Chase Field

10:15 p.m., ESPN

JANUARY 11

College Football Playoff: Championship game

Clemson/Oklahoma winner vs. Alabama/Michigan State winner

Glendale, Ariz. | University of Phoenix Stadium

8:30 p.m., ESPN

Navy to Face Pitt in Military Bowl

WASHINGTON, D.C.— The Military Bowl presented by Northrop Grumman, benefiting the USO, today announced that the University of Pittsburgh has accepted an invitation to play in this year’s game. Kickoff is set for 2:30 PM on Monday, December 28 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Md. The game will be televised on ESPN.

The Panthers (8-4) will play 21st-ranked Navy (9-2). Both teams finished second in their respective conference divisions, Pittsburgh in the ACC Coastal and Navy in the American’s West Division.

“What an incredible matchup for our game,” Military Bowl President & Executive Director Steve Beck said. “We feel fortunate to have a team the caliber of Pittsburgh face off against Navy, which is in the midst of one of the greatest seasons in school history. The Panthers play an exciting brand of football and we are sure there will be a buzz in Annapolis on gameday.”

“Exposure to the great city of Washington with all of its historic attractions will be a wonderful experience for our Midshipmen,” said Naval Academy Director of Athletics Chet Gladchuk.  “Then with the main event on our home turf against a successful Pitt team from the ACC completes what I call the total post season package. Thanks to Steve Beck and his staff, it is easy to rate the Military Bowl as a highlight of the season for Navy Football.”
 
“Our players are excited about the opportunity to play one last game in what is hallowed ground at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium,” said Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo.  “Having the opportunity to represent the American Athletic Conference against a team from a Power Five conference like Pitt makes it that more exciting.  The 32 seniors that will be playing their last football game for Navy deserve to play in front of a full house at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium one final time.”

Pittsburgh leads the all-time series between the teams, 22-14-3. The teams last met in 2013, when Navy scored a 24-21 victory in Annapolis.

Under first-year coach Pat Narduzzi, Pittsburgh is enjoying its best season in six years while playing a schedule that included eight teams that will play in bowl games. The Panthers went 6-2 in the Atlantic Coast Conference and featured both the ACC Offensive Rookie of the Year and Defensive Rookie of the Year in running back Qadree Ollison and strong safety Jordan Whitehead. Whitehead became the first defensive player to be named the ACC overall Rookie of the Year since Dre Bly of North Carolina in 1996.

The Panthers will be playing in a bowl game for the eighth consecutive season. This will be their first Military Bowl appearance.

Navy, which concludes its regular history on Saturday with its annual game against Army, is in the midst of a historic season. Led by record-setting quarterback Keenan Reynolds, the Midshipmen can tie the school single-season record for victories by beating Army and would set a new mark by winning that game along with a bowl victory. Reynolds has set a new NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision all-time record with 83 rushing touchdowns and also has tied the FBS all-time record with 83 total touchdowns.

The Midshipmen have spent the past five weeks in the national rankings, the longest stretch they have spent in the rankings since 1963

This will be Navy’s 12th bowl appearance in the past 13 years, including a 29-19 loss to Wake Forest in 2008 in the inaugural EagleBank Bowl, which was the predecessor to the Military Bowl. The Midshipmen have won their past two bowl games.

Navy fans can purchase tickets to attend the Military Bowl or donate tickets at: http://bit.ly/1MIDOQd or by calling 1-800-US4-NAVY.  Ticket prices are $80 for the lower level and $55 for the upper level.   Donated tickets are $55 and will be given to either midshipmen or enlisted personnel in the area. Fans are reminded that although the game will be played at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, it is not a Navy administered contest and some traditional accommodations will not be available for this contest.  All of Navy’s tickets will be on the blue or press box side of the stadium.

On game day, festivities begin with the Official Tailgate at 9 a.m. and the Military Bowl Parade at 11 a.m., traveling from City Dock to Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.

Navy Accepts Bid To Play In The 2015 Military Bowl

ANNAPOLIS, Md.—The Military Bowl presented by Northrop Grumman, benefiting the USO, announced today that No. 22 Navy (9-2) has accepted a bid to play in this year’s game against an opponent from the Atlantic Coast Conference.  Kickoff is set for 2:30 PM on Monday, December 28 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis and will be televised nationally by ESPN.

“What a great way for the Navy Midshipmen to conclude their sensational season playing an ACC team on their home field,” Military Bowl President and Executive Director Steve Beck said.  “We feel fortunate to have a team like Navy in our game and look forward to a great atmosphere on game day.”

“Exposure to the great city of Washington with all of its historic attractions will be a wonderful experience for our Midshipmen,” said Naval Academy Director of Athletics Chet Gladchuk.  “Then with the main event on our home turf against a successful team from the ACC completes what I call the total post season package. Thanks to Steve Beck and his staff, it is easy to rate the Military Bowl as a highlight of the season for Navy Football.”

“Our players are excited about the opportunity to play one last game in what is hallowed ground at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium,” said Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo.  “Having the opportunity to represent the American Athletic Conference against a team from a Power Five conference makes it that more exciting.  The 32 seniors that will be playing their last football game for Navy deserve to play in front of a full house at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium one final time.”

Navy fans can purchase tickets to attend the Military Bowl or donate tickets at: http://bit.ly/1MIDOQd or by calling 1-800-US4-NAVY.  Ticket prices are $80 for the lower level and $55 for the upper level.   Donated tickets are $55 and will be given to either midshipmen or enlisted personnel in the area. Fans are reminded that although the game will be played at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, it is not a Navy administered contest and some traditional accommodations will not be available for this contest.  All of Navy’s tickets will be on the blue or press box side of the stadium.

Navy’s ACC opponent will be announced on Sunday, December 6, after the pairings for the New Year’s Six bowl games are determined.

On game day, festivities begin with the Official Tailgate at 9:00 AM and the Military Bowl Parade at 11:00 AM, traveling from City Dock to Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.

This will be the Navy’s 12^th bowl game in the past 13 seasons. Navy will be looking to win a third-straight bowl game for the first time in school history.

Navy is in the midst of a season to remember. The Mids have been nationally ranked for four consecutive weeks, the first time that has happened since 1978. Navy plays its annual game against Army on December 12 in Philadelphia, where a victory will tie the school record for most victories in a season. Quarterback Keenan Reynolds, who is among the contenders for the Heisman Trophy, holds the Football Bowl Subdivision record with 83 career rushing touchdowns and is tied for the record with 83 career total touchdowns.