There were no fans and there were no midshipmen — aside from those wearing gold helmets and Navy blue jerseys spread out across 70 yards on the west sideline. The white sea of the 4,400-strong Brigade of Midshipmen was nowhere to be found on this Labor Day night that signaled the start of the most unusual college football season in recent Navy history because of the coronavirus pandemic.
There was no march-on, no street closures, no candy thrown to litter Taylor Avenue. Midshipmen are currently confined to the Yard, many struggling with their mental health and low morale.