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Government Shutdown Won't Halt Navy/Air Force Football Game

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) -- Some of those hardest hit by the shutdown are military service academies. This weekend's big Navy/Air Force game had been in limbo...until Wednesday night! Military sources say the Midshipmen will take the field after all.

Kai Jackson has the latest.

This is exciting news for players and fans but it doesn't solve the problem of making sure students are educated, which is the purpose of being in college in the first place.

The setup for the big Navy/Air Force game in Annapolis went on as scheduled Wednesday, even though it was unclear at the time if the game would take place.

"I watched a few videos of how the shutdown would affect you and I never thought it would get anywhere near football," said Keenan Reynolds.

Yet the partisan bickering in Washington that led to the government shutdown is being heard loud and clear across the country. It affects a broad range of government workers and citizens.

Big news about the game broke Wednesday night. According to the Associated Press, a senior military official says the game will be played on Saturday and the Naval Academy has confirmed that.

"At this point, they said it's not gonna happen but we got prepared as if it's gonna happen," said Ken Niumatalolo, Navy head coach.

The government shutdown has affected academics at the Naval Academy: 930 civilian faculty and staff at the Naval Academy have been furloughed.

"Some of us showed up and just studied. Others were told not to go to class and just stayed in the rooms," said Cody Peterson.

You can watch the game Saturday on WJZ.

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