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Date change announced for Navy-Air Force game, will be played on 20th anniversary of 9/11 terrorist attacks
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Originally slated for October 2, the annual clash between the Air Force Falcons and Navy Midshipmen in Annapolis has been moved up three weeks to September 11, the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks.
The game will be broadcast nationally on CBS.
Navy-Air Force Football Game to be Played on the 20th Anniversary of the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks #GoNavy https://t.co/Eu9nXuCETC
— Navy Athletics (@NavyAthletics) December 22, 2020
“We will use this nationally televised opportunity to reflect on the meaning of our freedom and the competitive spirit of our nation,” Naval Academy Director of Athletics Chet Gladchuk said.
“Two Service Academies coming together to display our strength of unity and our determination to forever persevere.”
“This is an appropriate move for our country to have our Service Academies play on the 20th anniversary of 9/11 in celebration of our armed forces,” Air Force’s Director of Athletics, Nathan Pine, added.
“The game will be a fitting way to showcase the amazing future leaders of characters from both academies on national television on this solemn anniversary. I would like to thank everyone involved for their cooperation and willingness to help make this a reality.”
This will be just the third time these two schools have ever played in September, and the earliest meeting in series history.
Dating to 1960, the Falcons and Midshipmen have clashed on the football field 53 times, with Air Force holding a 31-22 edge.
The 2001 edition of the rivalry, which was played on October 6, just 26 days after the terrorist attacks, was won by the Falcons, 24-18.
A graduate of Bowling Green State University, Rydquist has been contributing to Saturday Down South and Saturday Tradition since 2019. He can be found on Twitter @TeddyRydquist.