AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AP) – Over the summer, Air Force built a trophy case in the locker room to house one thing and one thing only – the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy.
Right now, the space sits empty.
The Falcons (3-1) kick off the first leg of the annual round-robin competition between service academies against Navy (2-3) on Saturday at Falcon Stadium. The Midshipmen have captured the trophy the last two seasons.
Just how pivotal is this matchup?
Consider this: The winner of the contest has gone on to capture the last 17 trophies. Air Force plays Army on Nov. 1 and Navy faces the Black Knights on Dec. 13. If the three teams finish tied, the trophy stays with the previous winner, which would be Navy.
Home Navy gears up for surging Air Force squad