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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, December 7, 2008

Navy still Commander-in-Chief

By DAN GELSTON
Associated Press

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Quarterback Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada, a Kapolei High alum, guided Navy past Army in the 109th meeting between the two.

TOM MIHALEK | Associated Press

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PHILADELPHIA — The president flipped the coin, Navy's Leap Frogs parachuted onto the field, and Army unveiled its cool new dress code.

Air Force One flew over the stadium and patriotism stretched from end zone to end zone. Then came what's become another tradition: a Navy rout.

With President George W. Bush in attendance, Shun White ran for 148 yards and scored two touchdowns to lead bowl-bound Navy over Army, 34-0, yesterday for its seventh straight win in the storied rivalry between service academies.

"We know what those guys go through. They go through the same things we do," Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo said. "For this one game, we're trying to beat each other's brains in. After it's all said and done, we know we'll be standing shoulder-to-shoulder to serve our country."

Army (3-9) debuted camouflage helmets, pants and uniform numbers, and the backs of their jerseys had the words "Duty. Honor. Country."

The Black Knights' makeover was sharper than their play. Navy (8-4) got a 65-yard TD run from White on the third play of the game and improved to 53-49-7 overall against Army for its biggest lead in a series that began in 1890.

"You don't want to be the class that drops the ball," White said.

Navy has won 13 straight times against Air Force and Army since 2002, outscoring the programs 441-205 during the streak. The Commander-in-Chief's Trophy remains docked with Navy.

Navy quarterback Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada said there was a simple explanation why the Mids have been able to separate themselves from the other two academies.

"I think it's work ethic," said the Kapolei High alum from Hawai'i. "Not to take anything away from them, but we pride ourselves on being the hardest working team out there. It's the only thing that gives us a chance."

Eric Kettani rushed for 125 yards and a TD for Navy and linebacker Ram Vela returned an interception 68 yards for a touchdown with 31 seconds left.

The Mids have already accepted a bid to play in the inaugural EagleBank Bowl on Dec. 20 in Washington, their sixth straight bowl game.

Niumatalolo, a Radford High and University of Hawai'i alum, didn't skip a beat in his first year leading the Mids since Paul Johnson left for Georgia Tech. Niumatalolo became the second service academy coach to win the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy in his first year, joining Navy's George Welsh in 1973.

Some Navy fans held a sign that read: "Congress, bail out Army!"

Army's Collin Mooney gained 1 yard on the final carry of the game to finish with 54 yards rushing and set the program's single-season rushing record with 1,339 yards.

"It hurts too much losing to Navy. I didn't care about the record," he said.

Army struggled in last year's 38-3 loss in Baltimore and was shut out in the patriotic series for the first time since a 28-0 loss in 1978.

The series has become increasingly lopsided, often making the pregame pageantry the most memorable part of the day.

Bush was mostly cheered by the crowd of 69,144 at Lincoln Financial Field and heard chants of "USA! USA! USA!" as he walked to midfield for the ceremonial coin toss. On his way, he stopped to kick a football on a tee. The playful boot went about 15 yards.

Bush, attending his third Army-Navy game, gave both teams pep talks and watched each half from a different side in support of both service academies.

He left before the fourth quarter, and told CBS that he appreciated the chance "to come and be with people who will be joining the finest military in the history of the world."