Army Ends 14-Year Losing Streak, Tops Navy 21-17
After losing 14 straight years to their arch rivals the Navy Midshipmen, the Army Black Knights finally beat Navy in the annual rivalry game 21-17 on Saturday. The last time Army beat Navy was back in 2001 by the score of 26-17. Since then Navy has controlled the rivalry including blowout wins of 58-12 the following year in 2002, 38-3 in 2007 and 34-0 in 2008. However in 2014, Army played very competitive losing 17-10. Last year, Navy barely edged Army 21-17. However on Saturday, Army finally got over the hump and defeated their main rival.
Army running back Andy Davidson was the top performer of the game. Davidson rushed for 87 yards and scored two touchdowns. Navy quarterback Zach Abbey also scored two rushing touchdowns while carrying the ball for 73 yards.
Army running back lead the Black Knights with 2 TD runs.
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
The game got off to a great start for Army on a great defensive turnover. Navy started the opening series at their own 32, The Midshipmen would drive down to the Army 48. On a 2nd and 6, Navy running back Shawn White ran the ball for 14 yards to the Army 34, but then defensive back Xavier Moss punched the ball out and defensive back Rhyan England recovered the ball for Army.
After a couple of running plays, Army drove down to the Navy 17 yard line. running Darnell Woolfork ran for 13 yards to the Navy 4. One play later, Davidson punched in his first touchdown with a 1 yard run to give Army a 7-0 lead.
In the second quarter, Army stopped Navy at their own 31. Navy punter Alex Barta then shanked a punt for only 15 yards and Army took over at the Navy 46. Army would then drive down to the 15 but faced a 4th and 2. Army head coach Jeff Monken decided to go for it, and Davidson ran for 3 yards to pick up the first down. Running back Kell Walker then ran for 11 yards to the Navy 1. Davidson would then punch it in again for his second touchdown to give Army a 14-0 lead which they took into halftime.
However, Navy responded to start the 2nd half. Army quarterback Ahmad Bradshaw would fumble at his own 32, and Navy safety Sean William recovered the ball. On a 3rd and 5, quarterback Zach Abey found White 16 yards to the Army 11. Abey would eventually run in a touchdown from the 1 to cut the lead in half to 14-7.
After a quick 3 and out by Army, Navy would get the ball at their own 35. Abey would find wide receiver Brandon Colon for 29 yards to get Navy down to the Army 38. After a couple of first downs, Navy's drive would stall at the Army 11. Bennett Moehring then kicked a 28 yard field goal to cut the Army lead to 14-10.
In the 4th quarter, Navy got the ball at their own 47. Abey would then take over. Abey found wide receiver Jamir Tilman for 12 yards to the Army 41. Abey would then take off for a 41 yard touchdown run to give Navy their first lead of 17-14 with 12:42 to play.
Army then got the ball at their own 20 yard line. Bradshaw then found wide receiver Edgar Poe for 29 yards to get the ball to the Army 49. Davidson would then run for 9 yards to get the Black Knights into Navy territory. Army would then drive down to the Navy 18 but faced a 4th and 1. Davidson would then run for 7 yards to pick up the crucial first down. On 2nd and 8 at the Navy 9, Bradshaw ran it in for the touchdown to regain the lead for the Black Knights 21-17 with 6:00 to play.
Quarterback Ahmad Bradshaw scores the game winning touchdown in the 4th.
Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports
Navy would then get the ball at their own 34. On first down, Abey got sacked by linebackers Jeremy Timpf and Alex Aukerman. Despite getting an 11 yard play on 2nd down, Army stopped Navy at their own 40. Navy would punt the ball to the Army 23 with 4:07 to play.
Running back Tyler Campbell's 11 yard run gave Army a first down and allowed them to kill some clock. Army got the clock down to 1:49 when Navy called their final timeout. Army faced a 3rd and 1 from their own 45. Army was only needed one more yard to end a 14 year losing streak. Bradshaw took the ball himself and got two yards on the play to secure the Army 21-17 victory.
"We heard for a long time here at West Point about the streak and all that," Army coach Jeff Monken said. "It feels good to be a part of the team that put that to an end. I'm just happy for our seniors. The sense of pride that they'll have to go on, having beaten Navy, having beaten our biggest rival in their senior year. It's great for everybody in that locker room. I want them to enjoy it."
Proud Army veterans congratulate the Black Knights on ending the 14-year losing streak.
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