Qualifying for the Poinsettia Bowl is a landmark achievement for the football program as it marks the first time in school history that Navy has gone to eight-straight bowl games.
On another note here's a great article about Senior Quarterback Ricky Dobbs.
http://www.navysports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/110410aaa.html
Navy quarterback Ricky Dobbs is the weekly nominee for the 2010 Discover Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award, to be announced at the end of the season. Dobbs, a senior from Douglasville, Ga., has overcome a difficult family situation to thrive as a leader at the Naval Academy.
Dobbs, who is vice president of the senior class, has a goal of becoming President of the United States - after serving in the military. He came to Annapolis after being raised by an uncle. His mother battled addictions to drugs and alcohol, and nearly died during open-heart surgery. Dobbs credits faith and family for his success.
Last season, Dobbs broke Tim Tebow's record for touchdowns by a quarterback. He underwent surgery last January to repair a cracked kneecap but returned this season to lead the Midshipmen to a 5-3 record, including their third win over Notre Dame in four seasons. Dobbs scored three touchdowns in the win.
"In the bigger scheme of things, Ricky represents the outreach and the recruiting that, `Wow, I can go play football and get a good education. I can serve,'" Cmd. Master Chief Evelyn "Vonn" Banks told the Washington Post. "Part of our development is to develop good American citizens as well, so Ricky represents so many more things than the quarterback for football."
For the fifth straight year, the Football Writers Association of America and the Discover Orange Bowl will announce a weekly nominee each Wednesday during the season. A blue-ribbon panel will determine the winner from all of the nominees. The winner of the Discover Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award will be announced in December and be presented with the trophy.
The Courage Award was created by ESPN The Magazine's senior writer Gene Wojciechowski, also a FWAA member. A select group of writers from the FWAA vote on the winner each year. The requirements for nomination include displaying courage on or off the field, including overcoming an injury or physical handicap, preventing a disaster or living through hardship.
Previous winners of the FWAA's Courage Award are the University of Connecticut football team (2009), Tulsa's Wilson Holloway (2008), Navy's Zerbin Singleton (2007), Clemson's Ray Ray McElrathbey (2006), the Tulane football team (2005), Memphis' Haracio Colen (2004), San Jose State's Neil Parry (2003) and Toledo's William Bratton (2002).
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About the Orange Bowl Committee The Orange Bowl Committee is a not-for-profit, 333-member, primarily-volunteer organization. It is a self-sustaining, independent organization that supports and produces activities and events that enhance the image, economy and culture of South Florida. The Orange Bowl Festival features a year-round schedule of events culminating with the Discover Orange Bowl on January 3, 2011. Other OBC core events include the MetroPCS Orange Bowl Basketball Classic, Orange Bowl Youth Football Alliance presented by Sports Authority in association with community sponsor Wachovia A Wells Fargo Company, Orange Bowl International Tennis Championships and Orange Bowl Sailing Regatta Series. For more information on the 2010-11 Orange Bowl Festival and its events, including promotional and volunteer opportunities through the Ambassador Program, log on to
www.orangebowl.org .
The Football Writers Association of America, a non-profit organization founded in 1941, consists of more than 1,000 men and women across North America who cover college football for a living. The membership includes journalists, broadcasters and publicists, as well as key executives in all the areas that involve the game. The FWAA works to govern areas that include game day operations, major awards, a national poll and its annual All-America team.
2010 Discover Orange Bowl Courage Award Nominees • Sept. 29: Zac Etheridge, Auburn, and Rodney Scott, Ole Miss • Oct. 6: Jon Hoese, Minnesota • Oct. 13: Marquez Herrod, Colorado • Oct. 20: Matt Anderson, North Dakota State • Oct. 27: Jamie Hampton, Troy • Nov. 3: Ricky Dobbs, Navy
Navy beat East Carolina 76-35 on Saturday, setting a school single-game scoring record.
Haha that's how we roll. Too bad I won't be in San Diego for the bowl game as I will be home on leave. Would love to see them play.
Navy is a fun team to watch, very unorthodox offense to try and stop and contain