Nov. 30, 2005

Q. You will do anything to get out of the Annapolis Touchdown Club cocktail party won't you?

A. That's the only thing I could think of.

Q. That's pretty extreme.

A. Trust me, with what I did yesterday I would much rather go to a Touchdown Club event.

Q. Coach, the big story is that the Commander-In-Chief's Trophy came up missing. Your thoughts on it?

A. I haven't thought much about it. These two schools play pranks on one another. We are going to try and win the thing on Saturday.

Q. What does that trophy mean in the tradition of the game in the series between the Service Academies?

A. Well, I think it's probably the No. 1 goal for all the programs. Certainly this year to have the trophy up for grabs just adds to the excitement. We are looking forward to it. We always look forward to playing Army anyway?

Q. How are you feeling?

A. I'm fine. I feel good.

Q. What was it?

A. They don't really know yet. It could have been a pinched nerve, I may have passed a kidney stone, I don't know. It was painful is what it was, but I will be all right.

Q. Are you in pain now?

A. I'm all right now.

Q. Where was the pain? In the back?

A. It was all over. I'm all right now. I should be good to go.

Q. What are going to be the keys for Saturday?

A. Probably the team that runs the ball the best, takes care of the ball and is sound in the kicking game is going to win the game. That's usually the team that wins.

Q. What was the reason for bringing the trophy from Bancroft to Ricketts?

A. Because I was hoping they would steal it.

Q. Laughter

A. We just moved it into the locker room so our guys could see it every day. So they knew what we were playing for.

Q. It's under lock and key in there isn't it?

A. The locker room was locked. As much as this building is secure.

Q. Apparently this building isn't very secure.

A. I can't handle security. I just have to coach the team.

Q. That trophy weighs about 70 pounds. How do you think they got away with it?

A. If it was West Point it probably took three or four of them to carry it.

Q. How many of your guys did it take? Two?

A. One guy put it in there I think. One Marine.

Q. When you look at the last three games and the fact it has been lopsided do you have any reason why you've been able to handle them?

A. I don't know. We've probably just played better in the game. Every year is different. Unfortunately we don't get to carry any points over from last year.

Q. Can you talk about Lamar starting his first Army-Navy game at quarterback, especially with the historical significance attached to this game if you would happen to win?

A. I'm sure he's going to be excited about it. He's really in the same boat that Aaron (Polanco) was in a year ago. I'm sure he will be excited. Lamar has done a good job all year of controlling his emotions and I expect him to do the same this week.

Q. Is Marco all right?

A. Yeah I think so. I mean I miss one day of practice and they hurt him. No, he's okay.