LANDOVER, MD. — The Navy Midshipmen emerged victorious against their archrival, the Army Black Knights, with a score of 31-13 on Saturday, claiming their first win over Army since 2019 and earning the coveted Commander-in-Chief's Trophy.
Quarterback Blake Horvath was the standout star for the Midshipmen, showcasing his versatility and resilience after recovering from injuries earlier this season. He ran for 204 yards, threw for 107 yards, and accounted for four total touchdowns, leading Navy's offense to dominate the day with 378 total yards, including 271 on the ground.
From the opening drive, Navy established its intent. They marched down the field for 65 yards, culminating in Horvath's one-yard touchdown run. This decisive start set the tone for the game as Navy quickly took control, leading 14-0 by early second quarter following Horvath's 18-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Chatman.
Despite Navy's early success, Army's quarterback Bryson Daily responded with determination. He led the Black Knights to their first score with a deft 23-yard touchdown pass to Hayden Reed, reducing the lead to 14-7 before halftime. The teams entered the locker rooms with Navy maintaining only a slight edge.
Army opened the second half with increased vigor, making significant gains before settling for a 39-yard field goal, which narrowed Navy's lead to 14-10. Yet, Navy was quick to reestablish control. Horvath connected with Eli Heidenreich on a stunning 52-yard touch down pass, extending the lead to 21-10 and silencing the Army crowd.
Throughout the game, the Midshipmen’s defense proved relentless, led by Landon Robinson, who not only executed key tackles but also made history with a remarkable 29-yard run on a fake punt — a play called by himself. Robinson's play came at a pivotal moment, converting on fourth down and leading to more Navy points.
“The fake punt is just something we saw,” Robinson explained. “We showed it at the South Florida game as well. They just gave us the right look, and I just called it on the field.”
This determination to capitalize on opportunities was mirrored throughout Navy’s game plan. According to head coach Brian Newberry, the Midshipmen prepared extensively for Army's running game, forcing the Black Knights to throw the ball more than usual. Army, which typically relies heavily on its run, only managed to gain 113 rushing yards against Navy's stout defense.
“It’s hard to take away the running attack but you certainly want to control it,” Newberry commented post-game. “If you told me they were going to throw it 16 times, I’d have thought we were doing great.”
Army's offensive struggles were evident as Daily threw three interceptions during the game, greatly impacting their chances. The first interception led to Navy capitalizing on the turnover for additional points, and Daily's final interception sealed Army's fate.
“We weren’t effective enough throwing the ball,” Daily lamented. “I made too many mistakes, too many bad decisions. Especially late in the game, I felt myself pressing.”
After Navy scored again, culminating their dominant performance with additional touchdowns and field goals, they sealed the victory and celebrated joyously on the field — the elation evident as they sang their alma mater, relishing the sweet taste of victory against their biggest rival.
Navy's achievement is particularly poignant this year, being the first time the team reclaimed the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy since 2019, marking it as both a legacy win for seniors and as closure for previous losses.
A substantial crowd of over 60,000, including President-elect Donald Trump, witnessed the showdown, amplifying its significance as part of America's greatest sports rivalry.
“I’m ecstatic … couldn’t be more proud or happy for our players, our seniors,” Newberry stated, highlighting the importance of this win for the Navy program.
Both teams will advance to bowl season, with Navy set to face Oklahoma at the Armed Forces Bowl and Army slated to compete against Louisiana Tech at the Independence Bowl. This Army-Navy game not only reinforced traditional rivalries but also showcased the resilience and talent of the Midshipmen, revitalizing hopes for the future.
