Eckel

When Navy's football season begins at M&T Bank Stadium on Sept. 3 with the renewal of the long-dormant Maryland series, the Midshipmen's starting lineups on both major units will be barely recognizable. But there is no doubt that the most conspicuous absence will be that of No. 32, Kyle Eckel. How do you replace the fulcrum of coach Paul Johnson's triple-option offense, a battering fullback who churned out nearly 2,400 yards the last two seasons, lost yardage on only five of 471 carries and scored 25 career touchdowns rushing, fourth in academy history?

On Tuesday, June 7, 2005, KENNETH C. ECKELS, age 48, beloved companion of Christine Bell, devoted father of Jennifer Merritt, Meghan and Katie Eckels, loving son of Connie and Norman L. Eckels, Sr, brother of Norman L. Eckels, Jr., Susan Yori, Donald Eckels and Richard Eckels; also survived by five grandchildren. Friends may call at the family owned Peaceful Alternatives Funeral and Cremation Center P.A., 2325 York Rd, Timonium, on Saturday, June 11, from 1 to 2:30 P.M., with a Memorial Service beginning at 2:30 P.M. Interment private.

SAN FRANCISCO - Navy fullback Kyle Eckel has been a cornerstone of the team's offensive resurgence under coach Paul Johnson, but he fell short yesterday in several statistical quests. Eckel gained 85 yards on 24 tough carries in the Emerald Bowl to complete his career with 2,906 yards and finished fourth on the school's career list. "We all contributed every game this season," said Eckel, sloughing off the numbers. "Aaron [Polanco] can get 100 yards, Frank [Divis]. It's a team game and we won. That's what matters."

PHILADELPHIA - When the psychological sparring before the 105th Army-Navy game began, Army coach Bobby Ross suggested it was bigger for the Black Knights because the Midshipmen still had the Emerald Bowl coming. Navy coach Paul Johnson responded by saying Ross was "setting the trap" that he wasn't going to fall into it, and he hoped that nobody associated with his program would either. His wish was granted. Navy's players ignored the inference and trampled Army for the third straight season, 42-13, yesterday before a sellout crowd of 67,882 at Lincoln Financial Field that included President Bush and a radio and television audience that spanned the globe.

PHILADELPHIA - First, quarterback Aaron Polanco rolled to his left, spun away from a would-be Army tackle and sprinted 10 yards for the game's first touchdown. A few minutes later, fullback Kyle Eckel shed an arm tackle at the line of scrimmage, then bolted 23 yards up the middle and into the end zone. Five minutes later, safety Josh Smith leaped high to make an interception, then sprinted 67 yards untouched for the score that demoralized the Black Knights. With that third unanswered touchdown, Navy had set the tone for its 42-13 rout at Lincoln Financial Field.

Josh Smith vividly remembers the misery of it all. On the television screen in front of him, his teammates were playing Army in the snow and mud at Lincoln Financial Field and Navy's leading tackler was longing to be with them - out of the toasty room. "I was just laying in a hotel bed up there watching the game," said Smith, referring to Philadelphia. "It hurt a lot. I had the mentality of getting myself ready to play and, three days before, I got appendicitis. It was a crushing blow.

Navy fullback Kyle Eckel has been selected to play in the Hula Bowl All-Star game, which will take place Jan. 22 in Maui, Hawaii. Eckel is the 24th player in school history to be selected for the Hula Bowl All-Star game and the first since tackle Derek Jaskowiak in 2002. Eckel, who has also been selected to play in the East-West Shrine Game and the Gridiron Classic, is one of just six players in school history to be selected to three or more all-star games. Originally published November 14, 2004, 5:59 PM EST

Notice to bowl committees: Navy has about 85 young men who would love to accept an invitation to your game. The Midshipmen made themselves eligible to issue that call for postseason action for the second straight year yesterday, barely holding onto a 14-13 victory at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium when Rice kicker Brennan Landry missed an extra-point attempt with 4:41 left in the game. After Landry's miss, Navy (6-1) killed the clock, with quarterback Aaron Polanco carrying seven times on the final possession to complete a career-best, 33-rush, 179-yard performance.

The cherished Commander in Chief's Trophy is still resting in another case. Tonight, when the two bitter rivals collide at Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colo., Air Force (2-2) is bent on returning it to more familiar territory while Navy (4-0) is just as determined to make Annapolis its permanent station. Both schools still have to deal with rebuilding Army in the football series among the three major service academies, but this is the game that will probably decide the destination of the trophy named in honor of the nation's president.

The two primary units rescued Navy's ineffective kicking game from a potentially disastrous performance yesterday as the Midshipmen remained unbeaten by staving off Vanderbilt, 29-26, at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Senior co-captains Aaron Polanco and Josh Smith were particularly instrumental in Navy's fourth straight victory in a seesaw game witnessed by 32,809, who also saw the Mids' Eric Roberts become the first in school history to eclipse 1,000 yards in both rushing and receiving.