After the federal government shutdown briefly threatened to halt football games for the Army, Navy and Air Force academies, the U.S. Defense Department confirmed they will be played as scheduled.

The Associated Press reported everything else, except Saturday's games, will be on hold. That means Army will be able to travel to face Boston College and Navy will host Air Force.

The Defense Department previously stated all travel for service academies' athletic programs would be halted due to the federal government shutdown. Because a bill has yet to be passed allowing federal funds to be allocated, there was speculation that travel expenses for Army, Navy and Air Force would not be available in time to travel to their next games.

The Defense Department announced Thursday that team travel and other related expenses are not funded by Congressionally allocated money. An inter-service-academy rivalry, a sell out crowd is expected Saturday to watch Navy host Air Force.

Boston College (BC) was caught in the balance. Although not directly affected by the government shutdown, their game against Army was potentially in jeopardy. BC athletic director Brad Bates expressed relief now that the game will be played.

"I'm thrilled our students and those from the service academies will get to play their games this weekend," he said. "Thank you, fans, for your patience and understanding the past couple of days."

Service academy football games are paid for in advance and do not come from the federal government, but from outside sources.

Navy athletic director Chet Gladchuk said he sent information to the Pentagon assuring the Defense Department football games are not funded by Congressionally appropriated money.

On average, Gladchuck said, a Navy home game brings in about $4 million in sponsorship, fees from television and radio rights, merchandise, tickets, parking and concessions. Navy essentially pays for its own games, as well as the academy's 32 other sports teams, through its revenue.

Losing a home game, Gladchuk said Wednesday, "would be devastating to our budget."