ARMY, NAVY READY FOR NEW CONQUESTS : TEAMS MAY HAVE WINNING RECORDS WHEN THEY MEET.

Byline: Associated Press 

At Navy, coach Charlie Weatherbie's assistant answers the phone like this: ``Navy football, future home of the Commander-in-Chief's trophy.''

At Army, it's a little more subdued. Coach Bob Sutton's assistant simply says: ``Good morning, Army football.''

Army and Navy football indeed.

For the first time since 1979, both Army and Navy are 2-0. If the Cadets and Midshipmen win Saturday, both would be 3-0 for the first time since 1960, the year Navy's Joe Bellino won the Heisman Trophy. It's possible. Army is at North Texas (1-2); Navy at Boston College (1-2).

Air Force won its first two games, too, marking the first time since 1963 the three service academies opened 2-0. But the Falcons (2-1) have been consistent winners, while Navy last won the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy in 1981 and Army last took it in '88.

The military is not about to invade the Top 25 or infiltrate the bowl alliance, but winning seasons at West Point and Annapolis are about as rare as Nebraska losses, or USC wins over Notre Dame. Navy's last winning season was 1982; Army has two winning seasons in the 1990s - both at 6-5.

So what's up in the military? Basically, it's training. From toughening up in the weight room to better execution on the field. From instilling a winning attitude to providing a more favorable schedule.

``We're striving to get our program in position where we can beat a Notre Dame, an Ohio State, a Nebraska,'' Weatherbie, in his second season, said. ``You get what you expect in life, and they expect to win and are doing what's in their power to make it happen.''

Sutton, in his sixth season as coach, says Army's glory years of the 1940s send a message that anything is possible. And after last year's 5-5-1 season, which included last-minute losses to Notre Dame, Duke and Washington but a win over Navy, his players are buying into it.

``Whenever you have a tradition like we do, it becomes part of you,'' Sutton said. ``It tells you it can be done. Yes, it's changed here, but there are probably greater things that can be accomplished . . . greater than people can imagine.''

Let's imagine.

After North Texas, Army plays Yale, Rutgers, Tulane, Miami (Ohio), Lafayette, Air Force and Syracuse before the Dec. 7 Navy game. Give Army eight wins.

After Boston College, Navy has it tougher, with Duke, Air Force, Wake Forest, No. 5 Notre Dame, Delaware, Tulane and Georgia Tech. Generously, give Navy seven wins.

At least both should have winning records going into Army-Navy. The last time that happened was 33 years ago, when Navy's other Heisman winner, Roger Staubach, led the Midshipmen and Rollie Stichweh was the Cadets' quarterback.

``That would create tremendous public interest if we both went in with winning records and a bowl on the line,'' said Sutton, getting ready for his 14th Army-Navy game. ``But as a player, coach or participant, it can't get any higher than it is. The way it's played is so complete and whole, from both sides.''

It sure would add a new wrinkle if a bowl berth were at stake. Navy's last bowl game was a 31-28 loss to Ohio State in the 1981 Liberty Bowl. Army lost to Alabama 29-28 in the '88 Sun Bowl in its last postseason game.

Both teams are capable of playing with the big boys of college football.

Army's wishbone is directed by Ronnie McAda, who passed for 225 yards and ran for 88 more in a 35-17 win over Duke - the Cadets' first win over the Blue Devils after five straight losses.

The Cadets are third nationally in rushing at 314 yards per game and 13th in total offense at 460.5 yards.

Last season, Army was set for one of the season's biggest upsets but fell inches short of beating Notre Dame. After scoring with 39 seconds left to cut the margin to 28-27, McAda hit tight end Ron Leshinski at the 1, but Ivory Covington stopped him inches short of the goal line.

``I like our team, I like our attitude,'' Sutton said. ``A year ago, we were a pretty good team, but we didn't have it those last few seconds of some close games to validate that. We realize now that we have to finish things off.''

Navy, 5-6 in '95 after its last-minute 14-13 loss to Army, won two close games to start out '96, 10-6 against Rutgers and 19-17 against SMU on Tom Vanderhorst's 38-yard, last-play field goal. It was a big lift.

``It was important for us to get on top early and get some momentum,'' said quarterback Ben Fay, who rotates with Chris McCoy in Navy's spread offense. ``I love the fact that we're 2-0 and won two close ones because when you win, it's easier to expect you'll win again. It's helped the team realize that we're for real.''

Arizona State's 19-0 upset of Nebraska helped, too.

``Now they know,'' Weatherbie said, ``Nebraska, the unbeatable, can be beaten. That creates hope for everybody.''