By Noah Trister
This was an Military-Navy recreation not like any earlier than it. The groups had mixed for 19 victories this season earlier than their annual conflict, a document for the rivalry.
After all, solely considered one of them can be liable for No. 20 — the most important win of all of them.
“I think they’re like us. We want to be significant,” Navy coach Brian Newberry stated. “I think we both were this year, and I think because of that maybe there was a little more significance, a little more interest maybe in this game.”
Blake Horvath outplayed Bryson Day by day at quarterback, accounting for 311 yards and 4 touchdowns to assist Navy beat No. 19 Military 31-13 on Saturday. Horvath threw for 107 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 204 yards and two TDs.
Navy (9-3) snapped a two-game dropping streak within the collection.
Day by day, who completed sixth within the Heisman Trophy vote this 12 months, threw a landing cross of his personal, however he was intercepted thrice. Military (11-2) fell behind 14-0 within the second quarter and by no means fully recovered. The Black Knights had been coming off a victory over Tulane within the American Athletic Convention title recreation — the primary league championship in program historical past.
Navy, which received its first six video games this season and likewise hung out within the High 25, accomplished a sweep of Air Pressure and Military to win the Commander-In-Chief’s Trophy for the primary time since 2019.
“As excited and proud we were eight days ago, we’re as disappointed as we’ve ever been,” Military coach Jeff Monken stated. “It’s hard to lose that game. That one hurts a lot, especially when the trophy’s on the line and we’ve got a chance to keep that trophy at West Point. We didn’t do it.”
In entrance of a crowd that included President-elect Donald Trump on the Washington Commanders’ dwelling stadium in Landover, Navy took the opening kickoff and drove 65 yards, reaching the top zone on a 1-yard run by Horvath.
Day by day, who had been intercepted solely as soon as all season, had a cross picked off within the second quarter by Dashaun Peele. The Midshipmen took benefit of a brief subject, going forward 14-0 on an 18-yard cross from Horvath to Brandon Chatman. Day by day answered with a TD cross of his personal — 23 yards to Hayden Reed.
Each groups had been run heavy as anticipated, however they did mix for 25 cross makes an attempt — together with what was in all probability the most important play of the sport within the third quarter. After a subject objective made the rating 14-10, Horvath related with Eli Heidenreich, who broke unencumber the left sideline for a 52-yard landing.
That was Horvath’s thirteenth landing cross of the season and Heidenreich’s sixth TD reception — each tying college data.
Day by day missed an open Casey Reynolds in the long run zone early within the fourth, and Military settled for a subject objective.
Navy then confronted fourth down close to midfield, however Landon Robinson — usually a nostril guard — ran 29 yards on a faux punt. Though Robinson fumbled on the finish of the play, the Midshipmen had been in a position to recuperate.
Horvath’s 1-yard scoring run made it 28-13, and Day by day was intercepted twice extra earlier than the top of the sport.
This was the primary of two straight Military-Navy video games in Navy’s dwelling state of Maryland. Subsequent 12 months’s version is in Baltimore.
The takeaway
Military: It’s been a historic season for the Black Knights in some methods, however anybody who follows this rivalry is aware of how empty the dropping group feels. Day by day threw for 65 yards and ran for under 52.
“It’s been a good season. When you lose this game there’s nothing great, tremendous, outstanding or stupendous about it,” Monken stated. “It frankly makes the season a bit of a disappointment. That’s just the truth of this game.”
Navy: In a powerful 12 months for each of those groups, the Midshipmen earn the final word bragging rights. It’s a defining second for Newberry in his second season as Navy’s coach.
“It’s hard nowadays, with the changes in college football, to really build a culture that’s built on love and trust. Those things take time,” Newberry stated. “We still have those here at the academies. That’s why I think I got one of the best jobs in the country.”
MotivationAlthough each groups had their moments within the highlight, it was Military that got here into this recreation with a convention title and a present rating. The Black Knights additionally received the Joe Moore Award, which fits to the nation’s high offensive line.
Navy appeared like a group with lots to show — and maybe a chip on its shoulder.
“I know we didn’t win no Joe Moore, but it looks like the rushing yards was 271 to 113,” Horvath stated. “Just the facts, right there.”
Ballot implicationsArmy is at risk of dropping out of the High 25, though the Black Knights may have an opportunity to win a bowl earlier than the following ballot comes out.
Up nextArmy: Faces Louisiana Tech within the Independence Bowl on Dec. 28. That’s a brand new opponent for the Black Knights after Marshall backed out of the sport.
Navy: Faces Oklahoma within the Armed Forces Bowl on Dec. 27.
