Service Academy Rivalry: Air Force Sees Trophy Hopes Hinge on Quarterback Injury
A turf toe injury to the Falcons' starter forces a shuffle in the offense, while Army relies on a dynamic dual-threat quarterback to secure the Commander in Chief's trophy.
By Abigail Brooks ·
The Commander in Chief's trophy will change hands if the Air Force Falcons defeat the Army Black Knights at West Point on Saturday.
Air Force enters the matchup at 6-2 after a recent victory over UConn secured bowl eligibility. The Falcons currently hold the trophy, having defeated Navy 14-9 earlier in the season. A win over the Black Knights would mark the first time Air Force has reclaimed the award since 2022. The game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET on CBS.
The Falcons face uncertainty at the quarterback position. Starter Evan Medders is dealing with a turf toe injury and missed the UConn game. He had previously replaced Liam Szarka, who is also sidelined. If Medders cannot play, freshman Howard Fisher, the season-opening third-string option, will start. The passing game has taken a backseat to the option run attack, with Medders and Fisher combining for only 23 pass attempts, 128 yards, and two touchdowns this season.
Army does not face the same personnel dilemma. Their offense centers on Cale Hellums, who leads the team in both rushing and passing. The Black Knights' primary struggles have occurred on defense. In their three losses, including a recent game against Memphis, the unit has ranked 83rd nationally in scoring defense and 80th against the run. Hellums provides a threat in the open field and downfield, offering a potential break in a game that typically features few explosive plays.
Special teams play a decisive role when two option offenses meet. Both programs field punters who average more than 47 yards per kick. Air Force's punt coverage has improved, allowing only three returns for six yards in its last five games. Army has surrendered 33 yards on six returns all season. In a low-scoring contest, a mistake in the punt game can shift field position and momentum as effectively as a turnover.
Historical trends suggest these matchups often defy high-scoring expectations. Air Force has played only two games against FBS opponents this season that ended under 40 total points, one of which was the close contest against Navy. Army has exceeded the total in all but two of its games. The final outcome will likely depend on which team can manufacture a small number of decisive plays over 60 minutes of play at Blaik Field.
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