Army Ruled the Field in Army vs. Navy Game Victory
Victory number two against Navy in a row and the sixth in the past eight matches for the Army Black Knights. They maintained dominance throughout the game, with Bryson Daily throwing a four-yard touchdown pass to Tyson Riley early in the second quarter, providing the first points of the match.
One of the most exciting plays of the game occurred in the fourth quarter, as Kalib Fortner of Army stripped the ball from Navy's quarterback Tai Lavatai and ran it 44 yards for a touchdown. Army took a 17-3 lead with less than five minutes left in the game.
Navy's offense came alive with two touchdowns, driving the ball 59 yards to the endzone, but falling short of scoring eight points. Navy attempted an onside kick but failed, giving Army the chance for a late touchdown and a two-point conversion to level the score. Navy drove the ball 72 yards but fell short as Army made a crucial stop at the one-yard line with three seconds remaining in the game.
"Why does this happen every time?," Army coach Jeff Monken commented, recalling his team's double-overtime victory in the previous year. "We're up 14-0 with one second remaining, and they're on the one-yard line trying to tie the game. Unbelievable."
Army attempted a Safety in the final seconds, and the Black Knights emerged victorious with a 17-11 victory. The 124th Army vs. Navy game was the first time the game was held at Gillette Stadium, the home of the New England Patriots. Navy still leads the series with a 62-55-7 record, but Army's recent surge saw them win 14 games in a row from 2002 to 2015.
The Army-Navy game will be played at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland, home to the Washington Commanders, in the following year.
Further Reading
Remember, success doesn't come easily to Army against Navy in recent years. In fact, it's quite the opposite. Navy had a streak of victories against Army in the previous decade.
- 2024 Victory: Navy handed Army a 31-13 defeat, reclaiming the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy for the first time since 2019, marking their 17th overall win[2][4].
- Historic Moment: This win was the fifth instance in series history where Navy defeated a ranked Army team, with the last such victory occurring in 1957[4].
Navy's recent success can be credited to several factors. Strong coaching, roster stability, and key player performances have all contributed to the Midshipmen's success. For example, the return of quarterback Blake Horvath, the consistency of fullback Alex Tecza, and slotback Eli Heidenreich have significantly boosted Navy's offensive capabilities[2]. Additionally, the team's defense has been a force to reckon with, as demonstrated by their shutout performance against Oklahoma in the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl[4].
