Written by Merrissa Vault
Baltimore, MD- The streak is over! After 14 years, Army has finally defeated Navy. In one of the biggest rivalry games in College Football, the game was everything a fan could ask for. Two highly competitive teams, a historical rivalry, and a stadium attendance of 71,600, including President Elect, Donald Trump. Tonight both teams played in the final regular season game of the 2016 College Football season. What was on the line tonight? Pride, honor, and of course the chance to hear their school’s alma mater sung last amongst their fellow classmates, fans, and friends claiming them as the victors of America’s Game.
The game began the same way it ended, with Army winning. After Army won the toss and selected to defer, Navy began their first drive of the game with a fumble forced by Army’s Xavier Moss. The momentum carried over into Army’s offensive drive as they had a triple threat of rushers: Amhad Bradshaw, Kell Walker, and Andy Davidson. Army’s Andy Davidson was the rusher to put Army on the scoreboard. Kicker, Blake Wilson then knocked down the first kick of the game (7-0). The following drive by Navy saw the same result with an interception by Xavier Moss. Navy’s defense had a few interceptions of their own and successfully held off Army to end the 1st quarter.
Into the 2nd quarter, Army’s Kell Walker and Andy Davidson continued to rush Navy’s defense. Once again, Davidson found himself in the end zone for a touchdown. Kicker, Blake Wilson secured the extra point giving the Black Knights a lead of 14-0 and confidence going into the 2nd half.
Rolling into the 2nd half Navy wasted no time. Quarterback, Zach Abey stated, “I think we came out in the second half and knew what we had to do to get back in it. I think we came together well and we played our hearts out in the second half.”
The 2nd half began with a Navy fumble. However, after an unsuccessful drive, the ball returned back to Navy. Navy’s QB, Zach Abey, moved the ball down the field, and Navy soon found themselves in the end zone and finally on the scoreboard, down by a touchdown (14-7).
Later in the 3rd quarter, Navy took another shot down field, and Army’s defense forced a fumble that was recovered by #20 Calvin Cass Jr. However, Coach Ken decided to challenge the play, and a crucial call was made by the officials, reversing the play. Army’s defense didn’t let the overturned call fault their momentum and came up with a vital stop within the 30-yard line on 3rd down. Navy’s Kicker, Bennet Moehring, was sent on to the field and completed the 28-yard field goal to bring the score to 14-10.
The 4th quarter was pivotal for both teams. Quarterback, Zach Abey, and the Navy offense came out strong and after two plays Abey rushed 41 yards into the end zone giving Navy their first lead of the game (14-17).
Navy’s lead didn’t last too long as Army QB, Bradshaw, rushed into the end zone to take back their lead (21-17). With 6:00 minutes on the clock, Navy attempted what looked to be their final drive. Unfortunately for the Midshipmen, Army’s defense stayed strong till the very end and stopped another crucial Navy offensive drive. With a 4th down and a little over 4 minutes left in the game, Navy chose not to go for it and ended their night with a 37-yard punt.
When Coach Ken was asked why he chose not to go for it on fourth down so late in the game he was quoted stating, “I thought about it. If it had been a little closer I would have.”.
Army continued to move down field in the last remaining minutes until it was clear they were the victors and the streak had officially been broken.
It was obvious how monumental this game was as fans rushed the field, and Army loudly and proudly celebrated in the locker room.
Coach Ken was asked what his message was to the team after the game:
“Our kids did a really good job. Our kids battled to the end. Just that we love them. This game doesn’t change the way I feel about our team or our program, we’ll just keep pressing forward.”
For Navy, it’s an end to a 14-year winning streak, but the Midshipmen will look forward to competing against Louisiana Tech in the Armed Forces Bowl.
For Army this was a historical victory for their program. When Coach Monken was asked about the emotion in the locker room he stated:
“Our guys were thrilled. There’s great love for each other in that locker room. There’s a brotherhood…..That was a thrill for the corps of cadets, for the United States Military Academy, and for the United States Army. A day like that is for all of us.”
The 117th annual meeting of Army vs Navy in America’s Game was the epitome of what college football is all about. Army will definitely be a force to be reckoned with in upcoming years.
The game began the same way it ended, with Army winning. After Army won the toss and selected to defer, Navy began their first drive of the game with a fumble forced by Army’s Xavier Moss. The momentum carried over into Army’s offensive drive as they had a triple threat of rushers: Amhad Bradshaw, Kell Walker, and Andy Davidson. Army’s Andy Davidson was the rusher to put Army on the scoreboard. Kicker, Blake Wilson then knocked down the first kick of the game (7-0). The following drive by Navy saw the same result with an interception by Xavier Moss. Navy’s defense had a few interceptions of their own and successfully held off Army to end the 1st quarter.
Into the 2nd quarter, Army’s Kell Walker and Andy Davidson continued to rush Navy’s defense. Once again, Davidson found himself in the end zone for a touchdown. Kicker, Blake Wilson secured the extra point giving the Black Knights a lead of 14-0 and confidence going into the 2nd half.
Rolling into the 2nd half Navy wasted no time. Quarterback, Zach Abey stated, “I think we came out in the second half and knew what we had to do to get back in it. I think we came together well and we played our hearts out in the second half.”
The 2nd half began with a Navy fumble. However, after an unsuccessful drive, the ball returned back to Navy. Navy’s QB, Zach Abey, moved the ball down the field, and Navy soon found themselves in the end zone and finally on the scoreboard, down by a touchdown (14-7).
Later in the 3rd quarter, Navy took another shot down field, and Army’s defense forced a fumble that was recovered by #20 Calvin Cass Jr. However, Coach Ken decided to challenge the play, and a crucial call was made by the officials, reversing the play. Army’s defense didn’t let the overturned call fault their momentum and came up with a vital stop within the 30-yard line on 3rd down. Navy’s Kicker, Bennet Moehring, was sent on to the field and completed the 28-yard field goal to bring the score to 14-10.
The 4th quarter was pivotal for both teams. Quarterback, Zach Abey, and the Navy offense came out strong and after two plays Abey rushed 41 yards into the end zone giving Navy their first lead of the game (14-17).
Navy’s lead didn’t last too long as Army QB, Bradshaw, rushed into the end zone to take back their lead (21-17). With 6:00 minutes on the clock, Navy attempted what looked to be their final drive. Unfortunately for the Midshipmen, Army’s defense stayed strong till the very end and stopped another crucial Navy offensive drive. With a 4th down and a little over 4 minutes left in the game, Navy chose not to go for it and ended their night with a 37-yard punt.
When Coach Ken was asked why he chose not to go for it on fourth down so late in the game he was quoted stating, “I thought about it. If it had been a little closer I would have.”.
Army continued to move down field in the last remaining minutes until it was clear they were the victors and the streak had officially been broken.
It was obvious how monumental this game was as fans rushed the field, and Army loudly and proudly celebrated in the locker room.
Coach Ken was asked what his message was to the team after the game:
“Our kids did a really good job. Our kids battled to the end. Just that we love them. This game doesn’t change the way I feel about our team or our program, we’ll just keep pressing forward.”
For Navy, it’s an end to a 14-year winning streak, but the Midshipmen will look forward to competing against Louisiana Tech in the Armed Forces Bowl.
For Army this was a historical victory for their program. When Coach Monken was asked about the emotion in the locker room he stated:
“Our guys were thrilled. There’s great love for each other in that locker room. There’s a brotherhood…..That was a thrill for the corps of cadets, for the United States Military Academy, and for the United States Army. A day like that is for all of us.”
The 117th annual meeting of Army vs Navy in America’s Game was the epitome of what college football is all about. Army will definitely be a force to be reckoned with in upcoming years.