Army vs. Navy: Midshipmen Win Battle 111 with Black Knights

Navy knocked off Army 31-17 in the 111th meeting between the two academies.  

Navy's win marked their ninth consecutive against the Black Knights.  Navy, 9-3, will take on San Diego State in the Poinsettia Bowl on December 23.  

Army falls to 6-6, but they will face SMU in the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl on December 30.

The cadets following the march on at Lincoln Financial Field during the busy pregame festivities.

The Navy Leap Frogs and the Army Golden Knights entertained the crowd prior to the game.  

Here a Leap Frog lands at midfield.

Army came into the game bowl eligible, with high hopes of breaking Navy's streak of eight consecutive wins.

Salvatore Giunta was an honorary captain for Army during the 111th meeting between Army and Navy.  

Giunta received the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions in Afghanistan. 

Navy's Medal of Honor recipients and honorary captains for the Midshipmen, during the National Anthem

Four Apache helicopters participated in the Army-Navy game flyover during the pregame ceremonies.

Navy’s flyover featured four F/A-18s from VFA 103 in Oceana, Va.

There is never a loss of patriotism during an Army-Navy football game.

Navy won the toss and elected to receive the opening kickoff. 

You can tell the crowd was ready for the game to get underway.  

Marcus Thomas took the kick and returned the ball 38 yards to the Navy 43, giving the Mids great field position.

Ricky Dobbs fakes a handoff to Alexander Teich and runs for four yards on the game's opening play.  

Army recovered a Dobbs fumble on the next play.

Joe Buckly kicks a 36-yard field goal to give Navy a 3-0 lead.  

Justin Haan is the holder, and Steven Erzinger is the Army defender.

Everywhere you looked in Philadelphia, there were reminders of the Army-Navy game—even on the pylons in the end zone.  

This year's game marked the 83rd time that Army and Navy faced each other in Philadelphia.

Greg Jones (84) and Doug Furman (82) celebrate with John Howell after he caught a 77-yard touchdown pass from Ricky Dobbs.  

The catch was only the second of Howell's career, but it set the record for the longest in Army-Navy game history.

Despite being beaten by Navy the past eight games, there was no lack of enthusiasm by the Corps of Cadets or their cheerleaders.

Quarterback Trent Steelman and the Army offense were able to score two offensive touchdowns against Navy on Saturday.  

Steelman completed two touchdowns to Malcolm Brown for five and 45 yards.  

Army hadn't scored a touchdown against the Midshipmen since their meeting in 2006.

Bill the Goat, Navy's mascot, spends some time with Navy's other mascots during the Army-Navy game.  

The goat first appeared as a mascot for Navy in 1893.

Senior Emmett Merchant suffered a concussion against Georgia Southern on September 11.  

He was unable to finish the game against Air Force three weeks later.  

Based on information from doctors, Merchant felt it was unwise to return to football.

The Black Knights stand in front of the Corps of Cadets and sing their alma mater following a 31-17 loss to Navy.  

The winning team in the Army-Navy game always sings their alma mater last.

Seniors Kevin Edwards (15) and Ricky Dobbs (4) sing the Navy Blue and Gold with the Brigade of Midshipmen after their final game against Army at Lincoln Financial Field.

Senior co-captain Wyatt Middleton was named the Army-Navy game MVP.  

Middleton finished the game with nine tackles and two fumble recoveries, one of which he returned 98 yards for a touchdown.  

That play was the turning point of the game, giving Navy a 24-7 halftime lead.

Rich Ellerson gives his postgame comments following his team's 31-17 loss to rival Navy.  

Army takes on SMU in the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl on December 30 in Dallas.

Navy head coach, Ken Niumatalolo speaks to the press following Navy's ninth straight win over Army. Navy faces San Diego State on December 23 in the Poinsettia Bowl in San Diego.