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Army looks to end 14-game losing streak against banged up Navy

Navy has 14 straight wins in its series with Army. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Navy has 14 straight wins in its series with Army. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Army can put an end to two streaks on Saturday.

For one, the Black Knights can clinch a winning record for the first time since 2010. But more importantly, Army can put an end to its 14-game losing streak to rival Navy when the two square off for the 117th time in Baltimore.

[Related: Navy freshman to make debut vs. Army after father’s death]

After winning a combined six games in the first two years under Jeff Monken, Army is 6-5 this year and headed to the Heart of Dallas Bowl (its first since 2010) to play North Texas. But first, the Black Knights are looking to register their first win over the Midshipmen (9-3, AAC West champions) since 2002.

Army started the year 4-2, but lost three of five down the stretch. The Black Knights offense, which ranks second nationally in rushing yards per game, is led by junior quarterback Ahmad Bradshaw and sophomore back Andy Davidson. Bradshaw, who has thrown for 622 yards and rushed for 646 yards on the season, missed last year’s Navy game due to injury while the 6-foot-2, 220-pound Davidson (818 yards, 9 TDs) is a converted linebacker.

Defensively, the Black Knights are led by linebackers Andrew King and Jeremy Timpf, both of whom have 88 total tackles on the season. Those two and the rest of the Army defense have the challenge of defending a Navy offense (third in rushing offense) which has put up big numbers but has recently been depleted by injuries.

Both quarterback Will Worth (33 total TDs) and slotbacks Toneo Gulley (9.9 ypc) and Darryl Bonner (8.2 ypc) suffered season-ending injuries in Navy’s AAC title game loss to Temple. Worth, who became the starter after Tago Smith was injured in the opener, was replaced by sophomore Zach Abey, who will get his first career start. Abey completed 7-of-13 passes for 104 yards and two interceptions while adding 70 yards on 14 carries in the loss to the Owls.

Even without Worth and Gulley, the Midshipmen have three other players — Chris High, Shawn White and Dishan Romine — with more than 400 yards rushing. Senior Calvin Cass Jr. could also be in line for more carries.

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Army gives up fewer than 300 yards per game, including only 124.4 on the ground, and has the benefit of rest of its side. The Black Knights last played Nov. 19 — a 60-3 win over Morgan State. And per the Associated Press, this is the first time Navy hasn’t had more than a week to prepare for Army since 1941.

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Sam Cooper is a writer for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!