2008 EagleBank Bowl Profiles
Wake Forest (7-5) vs. Navy (8-4)
Dec. 20, 11 a.m. ET, ESPN
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History
By
Richard Cirminiello
Best Middie Bowl
Moment:
Ben Fay will forever be a part of Navy football lore. He was the
backup quarterback, who came off the bench in the fourth quarter of
the 1996 Aloha Bowl to help upset Cal, 42-38. The senior led the
offense on touchdown drives of 80 and 84 yards over the final 10:38
as the Academy captured its first bowl win in 18 years.
Best Demon Deacon Moment: Given little chance for victory in
the 2002 Seattle Bowl, the Demon Deacons routed favored Oregon 38-17
behind a balanced offensive attack that featured 256 yards on the
ground and 241 yards through the air. Game MVP James MacPherson ran
for a score, and passed for two touchdowns and 241 yards on just
9-of-16 passing.
The Last Time You'll See ...
Wake Forest:
CB Alphonso
Smith. Smith will go down in the annals as one of the most exciting
defenders to ever play for the Demon Deacons. Although there won’t
be many chances to pad his school-record of 20 interceptions, he’s
got the opportunistic tendencies to make a few big plays in other
ways. A chance-taker, he’s got the instincts and catch-up speed to
make up for mistakes.
Navy: QB Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada. This final season
never panned out as expected for Kaheaku-Enhada. A persistent
hamstring injury took care of that. Healthy again, he was back
behind center for the Army game, helping the Midshipmen to their
third best game on the ground all year. Kaheaku-Enhada has one more
chance to run the Navy option before moving on to weightier causes.
Breakout Player ...
Wake Forest:
RB Josh Adams. The reigning ACC Rookie of the Year was never right
this season, battling an assortment of ailments, including a nagging
ankle injury. With almost a month to get right, he’ll be able to
recapture his freshman form at the expense of the Navy defense. When
healthy, Adams is a terrific back who’s capable of taking a game
over.
Navy: DE Jabaree Tuani. Not your average plebe, Tuani has been
quick to adjust to an expanded role since Michael Walsh was injured
in September. Just a few months removed from Brentwood (Tenn.)
Academy, he’s got 39 tackles and nine tackles for loss, flashing the
speed around the corner that could make him the Middies most
dangerous pass rusher in 2009.
Best Non-Game Event
While this is the inaugural EagleBank Bowl, there are several events
that will make this game compelling. Both teams will have the
opportunity to visit the Capitol and injured troops at The US Naval
Academy, which is unique to this part of the country. Each school will
also have an evening at the ESPN Sports Zone and there will be a
luncheon on Dec. 19 at the JW Marriott that will feature numerous
prestigious speakers.
Player Gift Package
Players from both schools will receive a Sony 8" portable DVD player
with carry case, a 50" x 60" custom woven afghan w/ logo, an autographed
football, and a wool hat w/ embroidered logo.
Charitable Component
The numerous charities associated with the game includes Positive
Choices, the Wounded EOD Warrior Foundation, the National Kidney
Foundation, Peaceholics, the D.C. Public Education Fund, and Title IX
Scholarships.
How Success is Measured
This is the first of what the committee hopes are many years of the
EagleBank Bowl. Success comes in different ways, but first and foremost
is creating a great experience for the two teams that come to Washington
DC. It wants the players, coaches and administrators to come away saying
that this was a first- class experience that reflects well on Washington
DC.
Another measure of success is how well the charitable causes are
supported. The game is not simply associating itself with these
different charities. It wants to contribute to each of them and help
each grow because they are all making great contributions both
regionally and nationally.
The EagleBank Bowl is also designed to drive revenues for local
businesses and thereby support the community in which the committee
works and lives.
Impact to the Community
The benefits to the local community will be numerous, however, the local
charities will feel the largest impact of the game. The charitable
impact on the local community is the biggest reason EagleBank got
involved. In addition to benefiting charities, the opportunity to bring
football back to RFK Stadium and show off the facility to a national
audience is tremendous.
Role of Volunteers
Volunteers will play a vital role in the success of the inaugural
EagleBank Bowl. The effort to get the game to Washington was initiated
by volunteers, and much of the work in planning and executing the lead
up to the game has been done by volunteers. The week and day of the game
will depend on several hundred volunteers to ensure the game is run in
an exceptional manner. A large portion of how people view the city and
game will come from the perception of the volunteers.
Wake Forest
Bowl History (5-3)
|
2008 |
Meineke Car Care |
Wake
Forest 24, Connecticut
10 |
|
2007 |
Orange |
Louisville 24, Wake
Forest 13 |
|
2002 |
Seattle |
Wake Forest 38, Oregon
17 |
|
1999 |
Aloha Classic |
Wake Forest 23, Arizona
State 3 |
|
1992 |
Independence |
Wake Forest 39, Oregon
35 |
|
1979 |
Tangerine |
LSU 34, Wake Forest 10 |
|
1948 |
Dixie |
Baylor 20, Wake Forest 7 |
|
1945 |
Gator |
Wake Forest 26, South
Carolina 14 |
|
Navy
Bowl History (6-7-1)
|
2006 |
Poinsettia |
Utah
35, Navy 32 |
|
2006 |
Meineke |
Boston Coll 25, Navy 24 |
|
2005 |
Poinsettia |
Navy 51, Colorado St 30 |
|
2004 |
Emerald |
Navy 34, New Mexico 19 |
|
2003 |
Houston |
Texas Tech 38, Navy 14 |
|
1996 |
Aloha |
Navy 42, California 38 |
|
1981 |
Liberty |
Ohio State 31, Navy 28 |
|
1980 |
Garden State |
Houston 35, Navy 0 |
|
1978 |
Holiday |
Navy 23, BYU 16 |
|
1964 |
Cotton |
Texas 28, Navy 6 |
|
1961 |
Orange |
Missouri 21, Navy 14 |
|
1958 |
Cotton |
Navy 20, Rice 7 |
|
1955 |
Sugar |
Navy 21, Ole Miss 0 |
|
1924 |
Rose |
Navy 14, Washington 14
|
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2008 CFN EagleBank Bowl Preview