Here are a couple notes and tidbits from the Navy football luncheon featuring head coach Ken Niumatalolo, which was held Tuesday at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.

   With regard to the upcoming Army-Navy game, Niumatalolo believes the key to success in the game is putting aside all the hype, hoopla and festivities and focusing on the football game -- or what happens between the white lines in coach-speak.

    "We have to make sure our minds are clear. We have to take out any clutter. There's going to be a lot of pressure, a lot of emotion and a lot of adrenalin. If your mind is clear and you are focused, it's easier to deal with those things," he said.

    Niumatalolo said Navy should have learned a valuable lesson from its loss to Hawaii, which was playing to become bowl eligible and wound up turning in its best performance of the season. Army is also playing to become bowl eligible and Niumatalolo said Navy players can expect an effort as great or greater than Hawaii put forth.

    "When you're going against a team that's playing for a bowl berth, which is playing for a cause, you hhvae to know they are going to play over their heads," Niumatalolo said.

    Niumatalolo dispelled any questions regarding Navy's motivation. Some have said suggested that because the Midshipmen have already clinched a winning season and a bowl berth that they might not be as motivated as the Black Knights.

     "Our season comes down to this game. I'm not going to make light of that fact. For all the good things we've done... everything will be judged off this game," Niumatalolo said.

     Niumatalolo had high praise for Army freshman quarterback Trent Steelman, calling him "heady and tough" and stating that the youngster makes good decisions and is hard to tackle.

     Pete Medhurst of the Navy Radio Network conducted the interview with Niumatalolo and asked about the Texas Bowl matchup with Missouri. Naturally, Niumatalolo did not want to talk about Missouri, but said the bowl experience would not be nearly as fun if Navy loses to Army.

     "The bowl game is a reward for a successful season. I don't want to tarnish that. This one game with Army is everything. We want to send our seniors out on a high note," Niumatalolo said.

     Niumatalolo was asked about the fact Army will have enjoyed a three-week layoff between its last game and Saturday's 2:30 p.m. kickoff. "That's an awfully long time. I'm not sure how they managed that. Hopefully, they won't be as polished or dialed in after three weeks."