LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — The storied Army-Navy game unfolded with high hopes for the Black Knights, marking their season with promise and accolades. Yet it ended with disappointment as No. 19 Army fell to Navy, 31-13, costing them the coveted Commander-In-Chief's Trophy.
Bryson Daily, who had etched his name as nearly a Heisman finalist this season, struggled considerably, posting only 53 rushing yards and throwing three interceptions, marking his worst performance of the year. "I turned the ball over too much. That’s how you lose games. Giving the other team the ball and not hitting big plays when you need them,” Daily lamented post-game.
The clash was charged with significance; both teams had entered the game boasting impressive win records, totaling 19 victories together. Their battle was heightened by Navy snapping its two-game losing streak against Army, pushing them to regain their pride and the trophy. Coach Brian Newberry noted, "I think they’re like us. We want to be significant... maybe there was more significance...to this game."
Navy opened the scoring early with quarterback Blake Horvath orchestrated the first touchdown, driving 65 yards for the opening score with a 1-yard run. The energy shifted entirely when Army found themselves trailing 14-0 by the second quarter, after Dashaun Peele intercepted Daily, allowing Navy to capitalize on favorable field position.
Daily managed to respond with a touchdown pass of 23 yards to Hayden Reed, giving the Black Knights some hope at 14-7. Nevertheless, the game slipped away when Horvath responded with his own passing touchdown which extended the Navy lead. Daily struggled to find rhythm, completing just 7 of 16 passes for 65 yards, highlighting the stark difference from his usual performances throughout the season.
Army’s offensive play faltered, with Daily admitting his mistakes, saying, "I made too many mistakes... I felt myself pressing. That led to bad decisions." This sentiment was echoed by his coach, Jeff Monken, who remarked on the team's struggles, stating, “We had some turnovers... He missed some opportunities.”
Navy, on the other hand, was buoyed by Horvath’s exceptional performance — he threw for 107 yards, and more impressively, he rushed for 204 yards with two touchdowns. Horvath's performance was pivotal, giving his team the momentum necessary to clinch the game.
Despite the loss, Monken acknowledged the historic significance of the season, calling it “a good season” but quickly turned somber when voicing, “When you lose this game there’s nothing great, tremendous, outstanding or stupendous about it.” The loss stung, considering it not only thwarted their trophy hopes but also cast a shadow on their successful season, having recently won the American Athletic Conference title.
The 2024 edition of this rivalry was also the first of two consecutive Army-Navy games slated to be played in Maryland, with future contests anticipated to continue the fierce competition between these storied programs.
Looking forward, both teams face bowl games which may serve as redemption. Army is set to face Louisiana Tech in the Independence Bowl on December 28, and Navy will confront Oklahoma on December 27. With the narrative of resurgence and recovery to uphold, both squads will look to end their seasons on positive notes.
Though the victory brought Navy the pride associated with ending the season on top, this game served as a reminder of just how fiercely competitive the Army-Navy rivalry remains, always teetering on the balance of triumph and heartache.
