Army vs. Air Force for Commander-in-Chief Trophy

**Air Force Seeks Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy Outright Against Army at Mile High**

DENVER, CO – The Air Force Falcons and Army Black Knights are set to clash this Saturday, November 4th, 2023, in a pivotal service academy football game with the coveted Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy on the line. Kicking off at 11:30 AM MT (1:30 PM ET) at Empower Field at Mile High, the game will be broadcast live on CBS Sports Network, drawing national attention to this storied rivalry.

This matchup marks the second service academy showdown of the season, and for the undefeated Air Force Falcons (8-0), it presents a golden opportunity to clinch the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy outright. Air Force has already secured a dominant 31-21 victory over Navy earlier this season. A win against Army would give them a clean sweep of their academy rivals and their first outright trophy since 2020. The Falcons are currently ranked No. 17 in the AP Poll, reflecting their impressive season performance.

On the other side, the Army Black Knights (2-6) arrive in Denver looking to inject some unpredictability into the rivalry and potentially derail Air Force’s perfect season. While their record is a stark contrast to Air Force’s, service academy games often transcend typical season statistics, fueled by pride and tradition. Army head coach Jeff Monken and his team are coming off a bye week, which provided crucial time to prepare specifically for Air Force’s potent attack.

Air Force, under long-time head coach Troy Calhoun, has been a force on both sides of the ball this season. They boast the nation’s top rushing offense, averaging an astounding 317.8 yards per game, a testament to their disciplined triple-option attack. Their defense has been equally formidable, allowing a stingy 9.1 points per contest, ranking fourth nationally. This suffocating combination has been key to their perfect start.

Army, meanwhile, has been navigating an offensive transition, returning to a more traditional triple-option scheme after experimenting with a more pro-style offense. The bye week may have allowed them to further solidify their offensive rhythm and defensive strategy against a highly-ranked opponent. For Army, a victory would not only be a significant upset but would also prevent Air Force from clinching the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy outright, keeping the trophy’s fate in play until the Army-Navy game in December.

The Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy is awarded annually to the winner of the football competition among the United States Air Force Academy, the United States Military Academy (Army), and the United States Naval Academy (Navy). If no team sweeps the other two, the trophy is retained by the previous year’s winner. Air Force last claimed the trophy in 2020.

Historically, Air Force leads the all-time series against Army with a record of 38-19-1. The unique atmosphere of a service academy game, featuring cadets and midshipmen in attendance, adds an additional layer of patriotism and spirited competition to the contest. With high stakes and national bragging rights on the line, Saturday’s showdown at Empower Field at Mile High promises to be a memorable chapter in this enduring rivalry.