College Football

Army and Navy have both had some struggles during the 2022 college football season. Neither is heading to a bowl game.

But the Black Knights and the Midshipmen still have one important contest to play. For the players on both teams, it's the biggest matchup of the year: the annual Army-Navy game.

The series marks one of the best rivalries in college football, and the 2022 edition is set to take place on Saturday at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Even though the Black Knights and Midshipmen each have a losing record, that doesn't matter when these programs face off.

Here's everything you need to know about this year's Army-Navy game.

2022 Army-Navy Game Information

Date: Saturday, Dec. 10

Start Time: 3 p.m. ET

TV: CBS

Preview, Predictions

This will be the 123rd edition of the Army-Navy game, a rivalry matchup that dates back to 1890. The Midshipmen lead the all-time series 62-53-7, and they notched a 17-13 victory in last year's contest.

However, the Black Knights have fared quite well in the series in recent years. After Navy won every meeting from 2002-15, Army won four of five from 2016-20 before losing last year.

The 2022 edition of the game should be a competitive one, as both teams seem to be fairly even. This series has sometimes resulted in lopsided contests, but that shouldn't be the case this year.

Army (5-6) has won four of its past six games and is coming off back-to-back victories over UConn and UMass. The Black Knights haven't beaten any ranked teams, but they took UTSA (the Conference USA champions) to overtime on Sept. 10, before falling 41-38.

Navy (4-7) hasn't played since Nov. 19, but it notched an impressive victory in its most recent action, as it defeated UCF (ranked No. 20 at the time) 17-14. The Midshipmen also lost by only three points to Notre Dame a week earlier.

Per usual, neither Army nor Navy has passed the ball often this season. The Midshipmen have had 122 passing attempts, while the Black Knights have 92. These programs keep the ball on the ground and run it nearly every play.

Among the most exciting players in this year's matchup is Army senior quarterback Tyhier Tyler. He leads the Black Knights in rushing with 601 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Navy's rushing attack has been powered by sophomore fullback Daba Fofana, who has compiled 749 yards and six touchdowns. He's coming off back-to-back games in which he ran for more than 100 yards.

Because of the style of play of both offenses, this should be a low-scoring matchup again this year, and it could be decided by what happens when Army has the ball.

The Black Knights are rushing for a whopping 304.4 yards per game, second most in the country. The Midshipmen are allowing only 85.6 rushing yards per game, which ranked first in the AAC and fourth in the nation.

But Navy should have a good bit of confidence after playing a close game against Notre Dame and then upsetting UCF. So expect the Midshipmen to ride that momentum to a close victory over their biggest rival.

Prediction: Navy 20, Army 16

North Carolina wide receiver Josh Downs confirmed to ESPN's Pete Thamel he's entering the 2023 NFL draft.

Downs caught 202 passes for 2,483 yards and 22 touchdowns in three years with the Tar Heels. He was a first-team All-ACC honoree in 2021 and 2022.

The 5'10", 175-pound wideout is the No. 60 overall player on Bleacher Report's 2023 big board. He's also the seventh-best receiver with an overall grade of 7.4 out of 10.

Downs told Thamel he believes he's the "best wide receiver in the draft."

"I just feel like when you turn on the tape, I consistently win over and over and make plays with the ball when it comes my way," he said.

Perhaps Downs could've improved his draft stock for 2024 by returning to North Carolina for one more year, but that was no guarantee.

Although starting quarterback Drake Maye announced his intention to return, the Tar Heels are losing their offensive coordinator. Phil Longo, the architect behind their prolific offense, is leaving to join Luke Fickell's staff at Wisconsin. Having to learn a new offense is never ideal for a college star hoping to impress NFL scouts.

Downs will have plenty of competition to be one of the first few receivers off the board this spring.

Ohio State's Jaxon Smith-Njigba didn't feature much this season because of a hamstring injury, but that did little to change how he's viewed as an NFL prospect. USC's Jordan Addison was the 2021 Biletnikoff Award winner, though his production (59 receptions, 875 yards and eight touchdowns) failed to match last year's.

Downs and his fellow pass-catchers did get a bit of a boost when LSU star Kayshon Boutte confirmed he will return to the Tigers for one more season. Boutte ranked sixth at the position on B/R's big board.

Liam Coen is leaving his gig as offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams to go back to the University of Kentucky.

Per ESPN's Chris Mortensen, Coen is taking the same position with the Wildcats on head coach Mark Stoops' staff.

Mortensen noted Coen helped assists in Baker Mayfield's rushed preparation for the Rams' game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday night. Mayfield didn't officially join the team until Tuesday when he was claimed off waivers.

Despite the short week and quick turnaround time, Mayfield took over at quarterback for the Rams' second offensive possession of the game. He turned in one of his best performances of the season, finishing 22-of-35 for 230 yards and one touchdown.

The touchdown pass was a 23-yard toss to Van Jefferson with nine seconds remaining that gave Los Angeles a 17-16 victory.

Thursday's win snapped a six-game losing streak for the defending Super Bowl champions.

Coen returns to Kentucky after leaving the program following the 2021 season. He was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Wildcats during his first stint.

Stoops fired Rich Scangarello as offensive coordinator on Nov. 29 after one season with the Wildcats. Their 22.1 points per game ranked 106th out of 131 FBS programs.

This marks the sixth time in Stoops' 10 seasons as Kentucky head coach he has made a change at offensive coordinator.

Kentucky's offense ranked 36th in the nation with 32.3 points per game with Coen as coordinator in 2021.

Rams head coach Sean McVay brought Coen back to the NFL after Kevin O'Connell, the team's offensive coordinator from 2020-21, was hired as head coach of the Minnesota Vikings.

This was Coen's second run with the Rams. He was originally hired by McVay in 2018 as assistant wide receivers coach. The 37-year-old served in that role for two seasons before being taking over as assistant quarterbacks coach in 2020.

Despite receiving strong consideration for the Stanford head-coaching job, Jason Garrett will remain in his current position with NBC Sports.

Garrett announced on Twitter he won't be replacing David Shaw:

On Thursday, Stewart Mandel of The Athletic reported Garrett and Sacramento State's Troy Taylor were among the finalists to get the Stanford job.

Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman was also among the candidates Stanford's athletic department met with. Mandel noted Roman, Bronco Mendenhall and Vic Fangio are no longer in the mix for the position.

Shaw made the surprise announcement that he was stepping down immediately following Stanford's 36-25 loss to BYU on Nov. 26.

"A week ago, 10 days ago, I was gung-ho to be the person to lead us there, and over the last few days I realized it was time," Shaw told reporters. "It was time for me to step aside, time for the next group to come in, and hopefully whoever they hire next wins more games than I do. That would be awesome."

The decision came as the Cardinal finished with a 3-9 record for the second consecutive season. They are 14-28 in the past four seasons and haven't made a bowl appearance since 2018.

Garrett joined NBC Sports as an analyst for NFL games and Notre Dame football in April. He spent the previous two years as offensive coordinator for the New York Giants.

The Giants hired Garrett in January 2020 after he was fired as head coach of the Dallas Cowboys. The 56-year-old former quarterback had an 85-67 record in 10 seasons with the Cowboys.

The College Football Awards doled out its annual collection of distinctions on Thursday night. Below, we'll go through the night's big winners.

Maxwell Award (college player of the year): Caleb Williams, USC

Quite the day for Williams, who also won the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award and AP Player of the Year award:

The USC gunslinger threw for 4,075 yards, 37 touchdowns and just four interceptions while completing 66.1 percent of his passes. He was a threat on the ground as well, rushing for 367 yards and an additional 10 scores.

Williams is arguably the front-runner for the Heisman, so winning the Maxwell didn't come as a major surprise.

Chuck Bednarik Award (defensive player of the year): Will Anderson Jr., Edge, Alabama

No surprises here.

Anderson is a force of nature off the edge, accumulating 51 tackles (17 for loss), 10 sacks, 12 quarterback hurries and an interception on the season. And that was despite facing regular double-teams this season after registering 17.5 sacks in 2021.

Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award (best quarterback): Max Duggan, TCU

This was a loaded category, with Ohio State's C.J. Stroud and USC's Williams also presenting strong cases. Both are Heisman finalists.

But Duggan, also a Heisman finalist along with Georgia's Stetson Bennett, has torched defenses all season, throwing for 3,321 yards, 30 touchdowns and just four interceptions while completing 64.9 percent of his passes. He also rushed for 404 yards and six scores.

The result was a 12-1 record and a berth in the College Football Playoff. It likely won't be Duggan's last piece of hardware this winter.

Rimington Trophy (outstanding center): Olusegun Oluwatimi, Michigan

Oluwatimi didn't allow a sack all season and only two pressures, headlining an offensive line that helped Michigan win the Big Ten title and a berth in the CFP. The Wolverines rushed for 243 yards per game this year, sixth in the country. Oluwatimi aided that charge.

Doak Walker Award (premier running back): Bijan Robinson, Texas

Every team knew Texas was going to build its game plan around Robinson, and it didn't matter. He still rushed for 1,580 yards and 18 touchdowns, adding 19 catches for 314 yards and another two scores. He rushed for 200 or more yards twice on the season.

He was special.

Outland Trophy (most outstanding interior lineman): Oluwatimi

Make it two pieces of hardware for Oluwatimi on Thursday night.

John Mackey Award (outstanding tight end): Brock Bowers, Georgia

Bowers was a huge offensive weapon for the top-ranked team in the nation, catching 52 passes for 726 yards and six scores.

This was perhaps a touch of an upset, with Notre Dame's Michael Mayer posting superior stats (67 catches for 809 yards and nine touchdowns). But the award went to Bowers.

Biletnikoff Award (outstanding receiver): Jalin Hyatt, Tennessee

Another slight surprise, with Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr. often considered the top wideout in the nation after catching 72 passes for 1,157 yards and 12 scores.

But the Biletnikoff Award went to Hyatt, who did impress with 67 catches for 1,267 yards and 15 scores. It's fair to argue he had the better statistical season, though Harrison helped lead his team to another berth in the CFP.

Paycom Jim Thorpe Award (best defensive back): Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, TCU

Another award for TCU.

Hodges-Tomlinson has been excellent this season, with 42 tackles (two for loss), one forced fumble, three interceptions and 11 passes defensed.

Ray Guy Award (punter of the year): Adam Korsak, Rutgers

Korsak averaged 44 yards per punt on 75 total punts this year.

Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award (outstanding kicker): Christopher Dunn, NC State

Dunn was the picture of consistency this season, finishing 24-of-25 on field goals and 30-of-30 on extra points.

Home Depot Coach of the Year: Sonny Dykes, TCU

Dykes led TCU to a 12-1 record and a berth in the College Football Playoff, though the Horned Frogs fell short in the Big 12 title game against Kansas State. No matter—it was a superb season for TCU and a justified piece of hardware for its head coach.

In the wake of David Shaw's resignation as Stanford head football coach, the program is narrowing its list of potential replacements.

Per The Athletic's Stewart Mandel, former Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett is one of the finalists for the job.

Sacramento State head coach Troy Taylor is also a finalist.

Shaw told reporters after the Cardinal's 36-25 loss to BYU on Nov. 26 he was stepping down after 12 seasons with the program.

"A week ago, 10 days ago, I was gung-ho to be the person to lead us there, and over the last few days I realized it was time," he said. "It was time for me to step aside, time for the next group to come in, and hopefully whoever they hire next wins more games than I do. That would be awesome."

The decision came after Stanford finished 3-9 for the second consecutive season. Shaw began his tenure with eight straight winning records from 2011 to 2018, but the Cardinal have had losing records in three of the past four years.

Mandel noted other candidates, including Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman and former Denver Broncos head coach Vic Fangio, are no longer being considered for the job.

Taylor has a 30-7 record in three seasons at Sacramento State. The Hornets are getting set to play Incarnate Word in the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs on Friday.

Garrett is serving as an announcer for NBC Sports. He covers Notre Dame football and is an analyst for Sunday Night Football and Football Night in America.

Prior to his broadcasting career, Garrett most recently served as offensive coordinator for the New York Giants from 2020 to 2021. The 56-year-old had a 10-year run as Cowboys head coach from 2010 to 2019.

The Cowboys went 85-67 with three playoff appearances under Garrett. He spent six seasons as an assistant coach with the Cowboys and Miami Dolphins before becoming a head coach.

Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier headlines the 2023 Black College Football Hall of Fame class.

The Black College Football Hall of Fame announced Frazier, Henry Lawrence, Albert Lewis, Jim Marsalis, Tyrone McGriff, Elijah Pitts, Johnie Walton and Pete Richardson were selected for induction among a group of 25 finalists.

Notable finalists who didn't make the cut this year include Antoine Bethea, Verlon Biggs, Joe Adams and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.

The class is determined from a vote by the 11-person selection committee, which is made up of journalists, historians, commentators and members of the Black College Football Hall of Fame.

"This Class is another representation of the immense football talent that has played at historically black colleges and universities," Black College Football Hall of Fame co-founder Doug Williams said of the 2023 class. "Several of these players were college All-Americans, high NFL draft picks and Pro Bowlers."

Frazier had a five-year playing career in the NFL with the Chicago Bears from 1981 to 1985. He won a Super Bowl in his final season as a player and as an assistant coach on Tony Dungy's staff with the Indianapolis Colts in the 2006 season.

Prior to entering the NFL, Frazier played college football at Alcorn State from 1978 to 1980. He recorded 20 interceptions and was named to the All-SWAC Defensive first team in 1979.

Lawrence was a standout player at Florida A&M before becoming a first-round draft pick by the Oakland Raiders in 1974. He was a two-time Pro Bowler and three-time Super Bowl champion during his 13-year NFL career.

Lewis played cornerback at Grambling State from 1979 to 1982. He had a successful 16-year NFL career that included stints with the Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs inducted him into their Hall of Fame in 2007.

Marsalis went to college at Tennessee A&I (now known as Tennessee State). The Chiefs selected him No. 23 overall in the 1969 NFL draft. He was named to the Pro Bowl and won a Super Bowl as a rookie.

McGriff was a three-time All-American offensive lineman at Florida A&M from 1977 to 1979. He also began his coaching career at his alma mater as an assistant in 1986 after his playing career came to an end.

McGriff died at the age of 42 due to a heart attack in December 2000.

Pitts played football at Philander Smith in Little Rock, Arkansas. He won five NFL championships and two Super Bowls as a player with the Green Bay Packers.

Walton played quarterback and served as head coach at Elizabeth City State College. He was named to the All-CIAA team as a player in 1968. The North Carolina native went 25-24-2 in two stints as head coach for the Vikings.

Richardson spent 22 seasons as a head coach from 1988 to 2009. He began his college coaching career at Winston-Salem State, going 41-14-1 with three playoff appearances.

After leaving Winston-Salem State to take the same position at Southern University, Richardson won 128 games in 17 years. He led the Jaguars to the Heritage Bowl six times, with four victories.

The 2023 Black College Football Hall of Fame class will be inducted at a ceremony at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta on June 10.

Wide receiver Chris Marshall was one of the most highly touted players in the 2022 recruiting class for Texas A&M, but he will have a new home next year.

According to 247Sports' Jeff Tarpley, Marshall plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal this winter. He is a former 5-star recruit who was ranked as the No. 3 wideout in 247Sports' composite coming out of Fort Bend Marshall High School in Missouri City, Texas, last year.

Marshall appeared in six games for the Aggies this season and recorded 11 catches for 108 yards. He didn't appear in the final five games of the year after he was one of three players to be suspended on Oct. 25 for their involvement in what was described as a "locker room incident" following Texas A&M's loss to South Carolina.

The Aggies' 2022 recruiting class was initially considered to be one of the greatest of all time. Marshall was one of eight 5-star recruits for Texas A&M, which set a new record for an incoming class. However, the team had a disappointing 2022 campaign in which it finished with a 5-7 record, leading to a mass exodus this offseason.

Per 247Sports, 22 Texas A&M players have entered the transfer portal so far. That list includes 5-star cornerback Denver Harris, 4-star offensive lineman PJ Williams, running back LJ Johnson, edge rusher Donnell Harris, defensive lineman Tunmise Adeleye and former starting quarterback Haynes King.

It appears that Texas A&M will be in transition next year. The 2023 recruiting class is ranked 18th overall by 247Sports and features just two 5-star prospects in defensive lineman David Hicks and running back Reuben Owens. Aggies head coach Jimbo Fisher faces a daunting road as he hopes to lead the team to a better showing next season.