Navy secured a significant victory over Army, claiming the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy with a decisive 31-13 win during the annual Army-Navy football game on December 14, 2024. This 125th rendition of the storied rivalry took place at Northwest Stadium, Landover, Maryland, and capped off another exciting college football season.
The Army Black Knights entered the game with high hopes, boasting an 11-1 record and fresh from their 35-14 triumph over Tulane to clinch the American Athletic Conference (AAC) title. Conversely, the Navy Midshipmen, led by second-year head coach Brian Newberry, had achieved an 8-3 record, aiming to end their season with pride by reclaiming the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy, something they hadn't held since 2019.
Kickoff was scheduled for 3 p.m. ET, and anticipation was palpable. Fans were reminded of the rich history between these two military academies, which began competing against each other on the football field back in 1890. Since 1930, the game has been played annually, becoming one of college football’s premier events.
Navy took early control of the game, with quarterback Blake Horvath illustrating dominance both on the ground and through the air. After leading Navy to score the first touchdown by leaping over the line from one yard out, Horvath played his best game of the season, ending with 204 rushing yards and throwing for 107 yards along with two touchdowns. Collectively, he accounted for 311 of Navy's total 384 yards of offense.
Newberry commented pre-game, emphasizing the intensity of the rivalry: "It's gonna be a physical game. It’s gonna be a fist fight [for] 60 minutes, and we got a great challenge ahead of us,” he stated, hinting at the hard-fought contest fans could expect.
Despite the fervor surrounding Army’s strong season, they struggled to counter Navy's offensive onslaught. Quarterback Bryson Daily found it particularly difficult, throwing three interceptions, which was surprising considering he had only thrown one prior to this game. Daily managed to throw for just 65 yards, scoring one touchdown on the day, marking one of his least productive performances of the season. His struggles were later observed by analysts, noting the pressure from Navy's defensive line consistently disrupted Army's offensive rhythm.
The game thrived on momentum shifts. After Navy’s strong start, Army made efforts to narrow the gap, responding with key plays such as the touchdown connection from Daily to Hayden Reed to cut the score to 14-7 just before halftime. For all of Army’s efforts, they were repeatedly thwarted by Navy. Holding onto their early lead, the Midshipmen extended it with Horvath finding Eli Heidenreich for a 52-yard touchdown run, pushing the Navy lead to 21-10.
Navy's defense, often overlooked, proved to be equally effective. The Midshipmen executed pivotal plays, such as successfully pulling off a fake punt with defensive tackle Landon Robinson carrying the ball for 29 yards to convert on 4th and 5—a daring move showcasing their confidence throughout the game. Newberry remarked on the significance of this game for his squad: "Navy dominated this series for nearly 20 years... but the tide has turned in recent seasons.”
By the fourth quarter, the Midshipmen remained firmly entrenched in control, putting the final touches on their triumph with another field goal, finalizing the score at 31-13. The victory not only extended Navy's record to 9-3 but also highlighted the shifts within this rivalry, as it marks their first outright capture of the trophy since 2019 following decades of dominance over Army.
Reflecting on this year's contest, fans shared the jubilant inside Navy's locker room, celebrating the end of the season on such high notes. With this result, Navy can look forward to their upcoming challenge, facing Oklahoma at the Armed Forces Bowl on December 27.
Army, meanwhile, is set to take on Louisiana Tech at the Independence Bowl slated for December 28, as they seek to finish their season fittingly, potentially gaining revenge against Navy’s newfound momentum. The outcome of this matchup carries weight beyond just this football season, affirming the often fleeting nature of rivalry victories within collegiate athletics.
Following the remarkable encounter, the Midshipmen had the honor of singing second, traditionally reserved for the winning team, as celebrations erupted for what will be remembered as another memorable chapter of the Army-Navy rivalry.
