Now that was a rivalry game. After nine straight easy victories by Navy against Army, this series nearly turned into college football’s afterthought. When the Midshipmen took a 14-0 lead early, it seemed like another runaway victory was in store.
But Army overpowered Navy for two quick scores, and the teams were tied entering the fourth quarter after the teams traded touchdowns. It became a series of counterpunches.
Navy used two field goals and a defensive stand to outlast Army 27-21 in the 112th meeting before 80,789 at FedEx Field. After winning by double digits throughout its streak, Navy finally was pushed to its limit. The Mids didn’t flinch.
“That game was special, being here in Washington or close to it,” Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo said. “It was special. … That game could have gone either way.”
So what if neither team sports a winning record? It was everything the Army-Navy game was supposed to be in its D.C.-area debut. The pregame march onto the field filled the turf from end zone to end zone. The flyovers by Navy jets and Army Black Hawk helicopters were deafening. The entire crowd joined singer Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA” — better than any national anthem during NFL games. Indeed, Greenwood stopped once to listen to the crowd, which finished the song with repeated “U-S-A” cheers.
The scoreboard commercials poking fun at Army and Navy were priceless.
President Obama, joined by Vice President Joe Biden, became the first sitting president to attend a game at FedEx. Previously, former presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton attended events at FedEx. Obama spent the first half on the Navy side, receiving an aggressive hug from the team mascot, and the second half with Army after passing between Army and Navy personnel on the field at halftime.
The two sides taunted each other in the stands, with the nearly 10,000 cadets and midshipmen filling one third of the lower bowl. Navy fans chanted “Why so quiet?” toward Army after taking a 14-0 lead. They soon regretted that taunt as Army scored twice for a 14-14 tie at halftime.
As expected with a pair of option teams, most of the action was kept on the ground; Army came in the nation’s top running team and Navy was No. 4. After throwing only 91 passes in its first 11 games, Army had just two attempts at halftime, including one completion for 10 yards. Navy quarterback Kriss Proctor had thrown 100 passes during the season but was sacked on his only dropback of the first half. The teams finished with a combined nine passes.
Navy converted two Army fumbles to gain a quick edge. But this is a rivalry, and Army suddenly righted itself with some long runs. After scoring just two touchdowns combined in the previous three meetings, Army scored twice on consecutive possessions.
Nothing like a little passion as an equalizer.
Army seemed to have the momentum entering the third quarter. But Navy running back Alexander Teich, who will train to become a SEAL after graduating in May, opened the second half with a 47-yard kickoff return. Five plays later, Navy led 21-14. Of course, Army countered with a 25-yard touchdown pass to Malcolm Brown nearly three minutes later.
Where did that come from? Sometimes you have to give your old nemesis something to remember for the next meeting.
After all, it’s a memorable series.
“To do anything 10 times is hard to do,” Proctor said. “For Navy to beat Army 10 times is remarkable.”
Examiner columnist Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more on Twitter @Snide_Remarks or email [email protected].
