PHILADELPHIA – He will soon be 70 and is still building a base. Still looking at the future through a long lens. Still striving to turn a blueprint into something tangible, something triumphant.
Bobby Ross has had to adjust his timetable at West Point but not his goals. His obstacles are evident, but his expectations are undiminished. Navy's 26-14 victory over Army yesterday completed a four-year sweep for the graduating seniors, extended Navy's streak to five wins and ended Ross's third season at 3-9.
Yet while the coach responsible for the Chargers' only Super Bowl appearance admits frustration at Army, he professes progress. If his task sometimes seems like pushing an armored tank uphill, Ross says the grade is growing more level. He claims to be closing the gap against Navy, and he appears intent on seeing the job through to its completion.
“I have really worked at getting this program right,” he said last night at Lincoln Financial Field. “I really have. I've put my heart and soul into this.”
Comparisons, however, are unflattering. When Paul Johnson took charge at Navy in 2002, the Midshipmen had won one game in two years. They have since overcome the inherent limitations of academy athletics and have qualified for their fourth straight bowl game. Yesterday's victory gave Navy a 51-49-7 advantage against its traditional rival. The combined score of the current five straight Navy wins: 202-68.
“We would like to get eventually to a level playing field with Navy,” Ross said. “That would be one of my biggest things in our program, to get to that point. This year, I didn't feel they were that much better.
“My personal feeling is that I think our program is closer. We were playing a lot of freshmen. We have a good (talent) base in our program right now, a good recruiting base, and we're very solid defensively. There's more development to be done offensively.”
Army's Jeremy Trimble scored the first points of yesterday's game with a 41-yard touchdown run on a double reverse, and Ross later authorized a fake punt to sustain another drive, but the Cadets' game plan was dominated by low-risk calls for freshman quarterback Carson Williams. Ross hoped to neutralize Navy's superior speed by playing field position, and the strategy worked reasonably well for a half.
But except for Trimble's touchdown run, Army averaged less than 2 yards per running play. Forced to ask more of his freshman quarterback as the game proceeded, Ross was rewarded with a fateful misreading of a sideline signal and two critical interceptions. Navy senior Keenan Little returned the second pickoff 40 yards for a touchdown and a 24-7 advantage.
“To make a play like that in this game is just something you always dream about,” Little said. “In practice every day, especially the past two weeks, you always think about making a big play like that to affect the game.”
From a national-rankings perspective, the Army-Navy game long ago receded from significance. Yet in a time of war, with so many academy graduates in harm's way, the rivalry continues to resonate for millions of Americans as a testing ground for leaders and an example of kinship in competition.
Though cameras panning the crowd yesterday provoked the same sort of spectator silliness seen on every campus in the country, an older observer could hardly look on these young men and women in uniform without considering their selflessness, their sacrifice and the uncertainty of their futures.
Two former Navy football players – Ron Winchester (Class of 2001) and J.P. Becksmith (2003) – have lost their lives in Iraq. Three recent West Point graduates (not football players) perished last month alone. When Bobby Ross speaks of the need for perseverance, he's preaching to the choir.
“The names on our jerseys – Army, Navy – that should explain it,” Navy linebacker Rob Caldwell said. “All the guys over there and all over the world fighting, for us to represent them here in Philadelphia to play a football game is an honor. There's no better way that we can (honor them), until we get out there and join them.”
Other college football games involve more ability. None, however, has more nobility. Maybe that's why, after the 27th move of his coaching career, Bobby Ross is so resolved to stay put and set things right.
“I never put a time frame with anything, I really don't,” Ross said. “Lord knows, I'm disappointed with our season. I was hoping for better. But I probably put myself on the same time framework that I put myself on at Georgia Tech, and I don't know if that's fair at West Point.
“At Georgia Tech, we were able to get it done in about three years. Here, when I look back and reflect on it and see it, it might take a little bit longer.”
Though Bobby Ross will soon be 70, he would like to think time is on his side.
Tim Sullivan: (619) 293-1033; tim.sullivan@uniontrib.com
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