As football rivalries go, none has had the staying power of Army-Navy. Once elite-level teams that competed for national championships, Army and Navy had begun to compete at a lower level by the mid-1960s. But the passion remains decades later:
5. 1993 » Army, 16-14
In a span of five years (1992-96), Army won five times by a combined 10 points. Navy’s most excruciating loss came when freshman Ryan Bucchianeri’s 18-yard chip shot with 6 seconds left sailed wide right. Navy had stormed back from a 16-0 deficit and was on the verge of an emotional win four days after learning of the death of former QB Alton Grizzard and two other Academy grads in a murder-suicide.
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4. 1996 » Army, 28-24
When Army (9-1) played Navy (8-2), it was the first time in 33 years that both teams went into the game with a winning record. With an Independence Bowl bid going to the winner, Navy built an 18-point lead in the rain, but saw it slip away in the second half, then failed to score on eight plays inside the Army 10.
3. 1963 » Navy, 21-15
After the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the game was nearly cancelled, but Jackie Kennedy requested it be played and dedicated to the memory of her husband. After it was postponed a week, the game captured the nation’s attention. Instant replay was used for the first time and Roger Staubach (11 of 13) guided the No. 2 Mids to a berth in the Cotton Bowl against No. 1 Texas.
2. 1944 » Army, 23-7
Army was ranked No. 1 and Navy was No. 2. Ticket purchasers were required to buy a war bond, valued between $25 and $1000. Fifteen box seats at the 50-yard-line sold for $1 million each. More than $58 million was raised for the Sixth War Loan Drive. As for the game, back Glenn Davis led Army on two fourth-quarter drives.
1. 1945 » Army, 32-13
Labeled the “Game of the Century,” it was the second straight year that Army and Navy were ranked No. 1 and 2. The result was the same, another Army victory, this one led by back Doc Blanchard. It was the closest call of the year for a dominant Army team. After the season, each of its 11 starters were named All-American.
