It Gets Worse for Army

Navy is heading to a bowl game. Army is facing an uncertain future.

Kyle Eckel ran for 152 yards and two touchdowns and Eric Roberts scored two touchdowns, leading Navy to a 34-6 victory Saturday in the 104th meeting between the service academies.

Army became the first team to finish 0-13 in major college history. The Black Knights have lost 15 in a row, the nation’s longest losing streak, and 24 of their last 25.

Army, which has lost four of the last five against Navy, still leads the overall series, 49-48-7.

“The record doesn’t matter,” Army senior linebacker Ryan Kent said. “Just to be part of the team and be named captain, it’s a great honor. I’m disappointed, but still it’s a source of pride for me.”

Navy (8-4), coming off a 2-10 season, is heading to the Houston Bowl on Dec. 30 -- its first bowl appearance since 1996. Army has a long way to go before it can think about the postseason.

The Black Knights fired coach Todd Berry after an 0-6 start and interim coach John Mumford won’t be considered after going 0-7. Published reports this week said Frank Solich, fired by Nebraska last Saturday, turned down the job.

“There’s a good team in there in those kids. I couldn’t get it out of them,” Mumford said. “They need confidence. They need to win. They are a great group of young men. It’s been an honor to work with them.”

Army kept it close early but fell apart in the second half. Navy scored 27 straight points, pulling away on touchdown runs of 12 and 16 yards by Eckel in the fourth quarter.

Navy quarterback Craig Candeto had 58 yards rushing to go over the 1,000-yard mark for the season. Candeto and Eckel, who has 1,178 yards rushing, became the first tandem in Navy history to each surpass 1,000 yards in the same season. Navy had 359 yards rushing.

Army quarterback Zac Dahman threw for 115 yards and had two passes intercepted.