Navy Football

For the first time since 2021, Navy came out on top against Army.

The Midshipmen upset the No. 22 Black Knights 31-13 in Landover, Maryland, behind a huge game from quarterback Blake Horvath, who had 311 total yards and four total touchdowns in the win. He picked up 104 passing yards and two scores through the air while torching Army's defense for 204 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns on the ground.

The junior had more rushing yards than the Black Knights had of total offense.

Navy took a quick 7-0 lead in the first half after Horvath punched it in at the goal line. The Midshipmen made it a 14-0 lead on an 18-yard touchdown pass from Horvath to Brandon Chatman.

pic.twitter.com/xiVkkNCRjp

— Navy Athletics (@NavyAthletics) December 14, 2024

Army avoided going into halftime with a two-score deficit as quarterback Bryson Daily found Hayden Reed for a touchdown in the second quarter. The Black Knights made it 14-10 in the third quarter on a 39-yard field goal.

JUMP PASS TD🙌#AmericanWay x @ArmyWP_Football pic.twitter.com/QRYHfVYxMl

— The American (@American_Conf) December 14, 2024

Navy gave itself an 11-point cushion when Horvath completed a pass to Eli Heidenreich, who took it to the house for a 52-yard touchdown in the third quarter.

ELI. HEIDENREICH.

📺 CBS#AmericanWay x @NavyFB pic.twitter.com/fFMDA5bGoy

— The American (@American_Conf) December 14, 2024

Just as it seemed Navy was going to pull away, Army cut it to a one-possession game early in the fourth quarter on a field goal. After the field goal, Army nearly forced Navy off the field, but the Midshipmen used a gutsy fake punt on fourth down to get the ball in the red zone.

Navy went to the big man Landon Robinson on the play and he showed off his speed before fumbling. Luckily for the Midshipmen, they recovered and scored moments later to go up 28-13.

WHAT A WILD PLAY -- Navy calls a fake punt to the big man Landon Robinson!

He picks up the first, fumbles, but Navy keeps it! pic.twitter.com/2GfXhypE9i

— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) December 14, 2024

Take a bow.
Horvath goes up and over again for the touchdown! pic.twitter.com/yPYtG3E1Xx

— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) December 14, 2024

Navy kept the momentum on its side on the next drive with a miraculous interception.

Somehow the ball never hit the ground!
Navy comes up with an improbable interception. pic.twitter.com/KdQDfU4REC

— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) December 14, 2024

A field goal after the interception made it a 31-13 game and Army threw its third interception on the next drive to seal the win for Navy.

Sources: The Navy is already planning to rename an entire carrier group the USS Horvath.

— Ryan McGee (@ESPNMcGee) December 14, 2024

Navy’s QB having 200 yards rushing and up 31-13 against top 25 Army was not in the playing cards today pic.twitter.com/ysZwXwfcz8

— Baquon Sarkley (@BSarkley) December 14, 2024

Horvath has more yards rushing than army does.

— Mike Althouse (@USNA86) December 14, 2024

Navy’s Blake Horvath has been decisively better than Army’s Bryson Daily on this day.

And the Midshipmen’s defensive line has battered Army’s Joe Moore Award-winning o-line.

Bones are smothering the Screaming Eagles.

— Mark Schipper - 5th Down CFB (@5thDownCFB) December 14, 2024

Blake Horvath is a problem.

— David Prince (@jaydp1138) December 14, 2024

Navy’s QB Blake Horvath out here looking like Josh Allen today.

— Grant Reynolds (@GrantReyn93) December 14, 2024

Didn’t really expect this dominance from Navy today. Blake Horvath is just running wild out there🔥🔥🔥

200 yards on the ground and 100 through the air…#GoNAVYBeatARMY #ArmyNavyGame

— Chris Baker (@cbaker_nj) December 14, 2024

Blake Horvath has single-handedly out rushed and out scored Army.

— Alex Washburn (@alex_washburn20) December 14, 2024

Blake Horvath 🔥😤

— Dave Cashman (@DaveCashman13) December 14, 2024

Blake Horvath for Heisman Trophy. #GoNavy #BeatArmy

— TJ Collins (@iproduceresultz) December 14, 2024

How about Blake Horvath!

— Coronado Navy Baby (@decarroll1222) December 14, 2024

The Army-Navy game is seemingly always competitive, but it was all Navy on Saturday despite the Black Knights coming in with just one loss.

Navy has released the alternate jerseys it will wear for its highly anticipated rivalry clash with Army on Dec. 14.

The threads are inspired by the Jolly Rogers fighting squadron, which adopted their name from the famous flag flown by pirates dating back to the 18th century.

Fear the Bones 🏴‍☠️#JollyRogers | #GoNavy | #BeatArmy pic.twitter.com/02NnjFiJwN

— Navy Football (@NavyFB) November 20, 2024

Here's to Victory. Here's to the Bones. #JollyRogers | #GoNavy | #BeatArmy pic.twitter.com/2gsNQuO5zB

— Navy Football (@NavyFB) November 20, 2024

Army already unveiled its special jerseys for the upcoming clash, which honor the 101st Airborne Division:

Attention to detail in our 101st Airborne uniforms.

→ https://t.co/lxauGcSIjU#GoArmy x #ScreamingEagles pic.twitter.com/RZeYOVStLq

— Army Football (@ArmyWP_Football) November 19, 2024

Earlier in the year, fans had high hopes for the newest installment in one of college football's most famous rivalries. With Army and Navy both off to 6-0 starts, there was a slim chance their enounter would have implications on the College Football Playoff race.

The Midshipmen have dropped three of their last four games since then, however. The Black Knights are sitting at 9-0 but have Notre Dame ahead on Saturday, so they may not be unbeaten much longer, either.

Still, Army vs. Navy is always a big occasion on the calendar and this could be the first time since 2019 that one of the two is ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 poll going into the game.

The X account for Navy Athletics drew a clear line in the sand when it comes to fellow users referencing any wagers they laid down.

During the Midshipmen's 24-10 loss to Rice on Saturday, their account posted than "instant block" will be their response to any parlay-related messages:

Just so we are clear, we do not care who you bet on or who is involved in your parlays. That's an instant block. WE DO NOT CARE

— Navy Athletics (@NavyAthletics) November 3, 2024

The sports betting market has exploded ever since numerous states across the country legalized the business. One consequence of that is that sports fans, who have more access to their favorite teams and players than ever, feel empowered to vent toward the source about whatever wagers they laid down.

Nameless administrators like those running Navy's account aren't the only ones being targeted, either.

Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant early Friday morning seemingly alluded to the gambling-focused messages he receives before telling off one fan specifically:

Great dub suns, and for my parlayers, better luck next time lol

— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) November 1, 2024

Stop blaming me for losing money because you have a gambling problem

— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) November 1, 2024

There's a far more sinister side to this as well.

In October, the NCAA released the results of a study on the online harassment college athletes, coaches and officials receive. The study found that 12 percent of the abuse was betting-related.

The NCAA's report said that 743 posts were flagged as abusive or threatening and included specific examples of users tagging athletes and making threats connected to betting parlays.

"It's clear to us too ... as the prevalence of sports betting went up, so did the prevalence of sports betting-related abuse," said Clint Hangebrauck, the NCAA's managing director of enterprise risk, in an interview with ESPN's David Purdum.

Especially with X adopting a new policy toward the "block" feature, freezing out individual accounts is unlikely to achieve much. But it could at least limit the exposure the recipients have to threatening posts.

Former Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo revealed athletic director Chet Gladchuk did not waste much time informing him he was fired following Saturday's 20-17 double-overtime loss to Army.

"First of all, we just got kicked in the gut," Niumatalolo said when telling ESPN's Heather Dinich he was fired right after the game. "I was a little bit numb prior to him saying that, so most of it I couldn't comprehend. I'm just like, 'Chet, why don't you take some time to relax.' He said, 'Well, it's been building up.'"

Saturday's loss was of the heartbreaking variety for Navy, as Anton Hall Jr.'s fumble inside the Army 1-yard line in double overtime was the difference-maker.

The Black Knights won it with a field goal on the ensuing possession.

"I'm a competitor," Niumatalolo said. "It's hard for me to think that we got the ball on the six-inch line, and that's my last game. That's hard to fathom. If we win, he's not firing me. How do you fire a guy after you win the Army-Navy game? That's not going to happen."

Yet Navy is just 2-5 in its last seven against Army and 2-5 in its last seven against Air Force.

Gladchuk explained the goals of making bowl games and winning the Commander-In-Chief's Trophy were explained to the head coach "without any question of a doubt." This season is the third straight with a losing record for the Midshipmen, meaning they fell short of both goals.

"That's been the constant bar we strive for, is to achieve those two goals, which I believe are very realistic, very reasonable, and have been consistent for 20 years, and therefore this does not come as any surprise," the athletic director said. "It's just an expectation that unfortunately fell short."

Dinich noted Navy does not redshirt players and did not receive an additional year of eligibility because of the COVID-19 pandemic. While Niumatalolo asked for additional years of eligibility due to the pandemic, his request was denied due to the government's requirement players graduate in four years.

"We have to make this a level playing field," he said. "If we had what they had, if I was able to stretch several guys every year ... we're sharing our indoor facility with gymnastics. Who else in the country is sharing their indoor facility with gymnastics? There's times we're out there in the freezing rain. I'm like, where else is anybody else practicing like this?"

Despite an unceremonious ending, Niumatalolo went 109-83 as the head coach at Navy and guided the program to 10 bowl games since the 2008 campaign.

He is the winningest coach in program history and had teams ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2019. Yet he was unable to do enough to save his job after a third consecutive disappointing campaign.

There was more to celebrate on Saturday than just Army's 20-17 double-overtime victory over Navy.

Quinn Maretzki's 39-yard field goal in the second overtime after Army recovered a fumble by Navy running back Anton Hall Jr. at the goal line provided the difference. This was the first overtime game in the 123-year history of the matchup between the United States military academies.

Thanks to two quick touchdowns in the first overtime period, this game hit the over for the first time since 2005.

The over has cashed in this game for the first time in 17 years, thanks to 14 points scored in overtime. https://t.co/BAUZSjq9w5

— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) December 10, 2022

Things got very interesting in overtime. Markel Johnson ran through the Navy defense for a 25-yard touchdown on the first play for either team.

Army responded on Xavier Arline's 25-yard touchdown pass to Maquel Haywood on its first play in overtime. Haywood's score also pushed the game to the over, causing Twitter to rejoice at the milestone moment.

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 17 YEARS ARMY NAVY GOES OVER THE TOTAL 😱 pic.twitter.com/1myrWaGrkB

— br_betting (@br_betting) December 10, 2022

Army-Navy goes to overtime and the over hits for the first time in 17 years. pic.twitter.com/IJBR3mdd8s

— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) December 10, 2022

Army-Navy Over bettors heading to OT… pic.twitter.com/KWdb7HRoc8

— Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) December 10, 2022

OVER bettors in Army-Navy right now: pic.twitter.com/u5Xhae86HO

— FanDuel Sportsbook (@FDSportsbook) December 10, 2022

And the over hits for Army-Navy two plays into OT. Hell of a way to break that streak of unders

— Frank Schwab (@YahooSchwab) December 10, 2022

Could you imagine the first OVER hitting in the last 17 editions of Army vs Navy comes in the first ever overtime game between the two teams! Appointment Television! #ArmyvsNavy #CollegeFootball

— The College Experience (@TCEonSGPN) December 10, 2022

That one buddy who's been betting the Army/Navy over every year pic.twitter.com/pMTYXJqP5n

— Pickswise (@Pickswise) December 10, 2022

Because of overtime, the Army-Navy game goes Over for the first time in 17 years.

We used to be a proper country.

— Ben Stevens (@BenScottStevens) December 10, 2022

Gambling analyst Brad Powers noted coming into this game how much a bettor would have won if they started with a $100 bet on the under and rolled over their winnings for 16 straight years:

The UNDER is on a 16-0 run in the Army/Navy game.

If you started in 2006 with a $110 bet (to win $100) on the Army/Navy UNDER and rolled over your winnings each year for 16 years, you'd have...

$3,424,667.71 in the bank!#SportsGamblingIsEasy

— Brad Powers (@BradPowers7) December 5, 2022

It looked for a long time like we were destined for another low-scoring affair where the offenses had to grind out every single yard.

Army's only touchdown in regulation came on a blocked punt that Jabril Williams recovered in the end zone.

There were only 10 combined points scored in the first half and it looked like Navy was going to hang on for a 10-7 win until Maretzki's 37-yard field goal tied the score in the final two minutes of regulation.

Thanks to Maretzki's leg, not only was Army able to force overtime and get the win to finish the season .500 (6-6), but members of the Sickos Committee who had a financial stake in the over got to celebrate for the first time in 17 years.

Army and Navy have both had some struggles during the 2022 college football season. Neither is heading to a bowl game.

But the Black Knights and the Midshipmen still have one important contest to play. For the players on both teams, it's the biggest matchup of the year: the annual Army-Navy game.

The series marks one of the best rivalries in college football, and the 2022 edition is set to take place on Saturday at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Even though the Black Knights and Midshipmen each have a losing record, that doesn't matter when these programs face off.

Here's everything you need to know about this year's Army-Navy game.

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2022 Army-Navy Game Information

Date: Saturday, Dec. 10

Start Time: 3 p.m. ET

TV: CBS

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Preview, Predictions

This will be the 123rd edition of the Army-Navy game, a rivalry matchup that dates back to 1890. The Midshipmen lead the all-time series 62-53-7, and they notched a 17-13 victory in last year's contest.

However, the Black Knights have fared quite well in the series in recent years. After Navy won every meeting from 2002-15, Army won four of five from 2016-20 before losing last year.

The 2022 edition of the game should be a competitive one, as both teams seem to be fairly even. This series has sometimes resulted in lopsided contests, but that shouldn't be the case this year.

Army (5-6) has won four of its past six games and is coming off back-to-back victories over UConn and UMass. The Black Knights haven't beaten any ranked teams, but they took UTSA (the Conference USA champions) to overtime on Sept. 10, before falling 41-38.

Navy (4-7) hasn't played since Nov. 19, but it notched an impressive victory in its most recent action, as it defeated UCF (ranked No. 20 at the time) 17-14. The Midshipmen also lost by only three points to Notre Dame a week earlier.

Per usual, neither Army nor Navy has passed the ball often this season. The Midshipmen have had 122 passing attempts, while the Black Knights have 92. These programs keep the ball on the ground and run it nearly every play.

Among the most exciting players in this year's matchup is Army senior quarterback Tyhier Tyler. He leads the Black Knights in rushing with 601 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Navy's rushing attack has been powered by sophomore fullback Daba Fofana, who has compiled 749 yards and six touchdowns. He's coming off back-to-back games in which he ran for more than 100 yards.

Because of the style of play of both offenses, this should be a low-scoring matchup again this year, and it could be decided by what happens when Army has the ball.

The Black Knights are rushing for a whopping 304.4 yards per game, second most in the country. The Midshipmen are allowing only 85.6 rushing yards per game, which ranked first in the AAC and fourth in the nation.

But Navy should have a good bit of confidence after playing a close game against Notre Dame and then upsetting UCF. So expect the Midshipmen to ride that momentum to a close victory over their biggest rival.

Prediction: Navy 20, Army 16

The Navy Midshipmen won their second straight game on Saturday with a 17-13 win over the Army Black Knights at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. It was Navy's first victory over Army since 2019, as the Black Knights took last year's rivalry game 15-0. 

It was also Navy's second win in the series over the last six years as Army has dominated the annual rivalry game as of late.  However, Navy won 14 straight games against Army between 2002-15. Maybe the tides are beginning to shift in the Midshipmen's favor. 

Navy finishes the regular season with a 4-8 record, while Army finishes 8-4.

Notable Stats

Tai Lavatai, QB, NAVY: 4/6 for 82 YDS and 20 CAR for 62 YDS and 2 TDs

Christian Anderson, QB, ARMY: 7/15 for 108 YDS and 9 CAR for 67 YDS, 1 TD

Carlinos Acie, RB, NAVY: 9 CAR for 34 YDS 

Jakobi Buchanan, RB, ARMY: 4 CAR for 24 YDS

Mychal Cooper, WR, NAVY: 1 REC for 28 YDS

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Recap and Reaction

Saturday's Army-Navy game began with some pretty great trash-talking ahead of kickoff. 

Plz don’t do this 😅 pic.twitter.com/fTGMKj7vIR

— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) December 11, 2021

We refuse to believe this is true pic.twitter.com/K6qSVAgu6K

— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) December 11, 2021

THE WORST 🥶 pic.twitter.com/KjvOE6ydko

— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) December 11, 2021

🤨 pic.twitter.com/1eNKYJQXlW

— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) December 11, 2021

Respectfully 😂🤣 pic.twitter.com/MJ49t9JaeW

— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) December 11, 2021

Aside from the trash-talking, it was a well-fought contest between Army and Navy, and the Black Knights kicked things off with a 56-yard rushing touchdown from quarterback Christian Anderson. 

CHRISTIAN ANDERSON IS GONE. TOUCHDOWN ARMY. pic.twitter.com/xwiI0p0Dia

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) December 11, 2021

However, Navy quarterback Tai Lavatai responded with an 8-yard rushing score of his own on the following drive to tie the game at seven a piece. 

Tai Lavatai would not be denied. pic.twitter.com/5mH7Glq3Lq

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) December 11, 2021

Army outplayed Navy in the first half of Saturday's rivalry game. The Black Knights had 175 yards of total offense compared to the Midshipmen's 130 yards. Army also had eight first downs compared to Army's five, and Anderson undoubtedly outplayed Lavatai. 

PERFECT. PUNT. pic.twitter.com/GMKVSrelqw

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) December 11, 2021

Army is out here throwing the ball all over the place. pic.twitter.com/34bdJrdlnF

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) December 11, 2021

Army enters halftime up 13-7 on the back of two Cole Talley FGs and 148 yards from scrimmage from Christian Anderson, who was 5 of 7 passing in the first half.

— Matt Fortuna (@Matt_Fortuna) December 11, 2021

Early Army-Navy review:

Hands, Christian Anderson

— Eric Stephen (@ericstephen) December 11, 2021

Pass defense is really letting @NavyFB down. QB Christian Anderson has guys running wide-open almost every time he throws the ball.

— Bill Wagner (@BWagner_CapGaz) December 11, 2021

However, many were quick to note that Lavatai still had a strong first half despite entering the locker room down 13-7, and he didn't disappoint to open up the third quarter. 

Halftime: Army 13, Navy 7.

I'm really liking what I'm seeing from Tai Lavatai's passing, I hope we see more.

— Kat Fominykh (@katfominykh) December 11, 2021

What a hard-nosed run by @NavyFB Tai Lavatai, who scores on third-and-goal from the 8-yard line.

— Bill Wagner (@BWagner_CapGaz) December 11, 2021

Lavatai and the Midshipmen came out buzzing after halftime, with a major turning point in the game being the quarterback's two-yard rushing score to help give Navy a 14-13 lead, an advantage they would never surrender. 

10 Plays.
74 Yards.
Touchdown. @NavyFB grabs the lead. pic.twitter.com/QouhRmxVdK

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) December 11, 2021

Navy then added a field goal with 6:10 remaining in the fourth quarter to extend their lead to 17-13, and many praised Lavatai for his second-half performance, which is a big reason why the Midshipmen came out victorious on Saturday.

This is Tai lavatai’s heisman game

— Zac Celedonia (@ZeFlashNFL) December 11, 2021

Tai Lavatai with a block downfield as well to help spring Warren. https://t.co/eizgc5PhVe

— Scott Strasemeier (@ScottStras) December 11, 2021

It should also be noted that the Midshipmen defense stood tall, too, allowing the Black Knights just 102 yards in the second half and forcing the team to punt three straight times before forcing a turnover on downs to seal the win. 

Saturday's game marked Army's lowest scoring output since a 20-14 Oct. 16 loss to the Wisconsin Badgers, further emphasizing how good the Midshipmen defense was at MetLife Stadium.

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Player and Coach Reaction

"It was a mistake." - Ken Niumatalolo confirms the fake punt was an accident.

Hey, whatever works. https://t.co/bHKjjfyeLj pic.twitter.com/tyiJVOEggU

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) December 11, 2021

One of the best traditions in sports.

Navy earns the right to sing second. pic.twitter.com/noLZUya4b1

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) December 11, 2021

The bragging rights belong to Navy. pic.twitter.com/xax3fEDgaq

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) December 11, 2021

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What's Next?

While Navy's season is officially over, Army will move on to face Missouri in the Armed Forces Bowl on Dec. 22. 

Army Cadets accidentally kidnapped the wrong goat during a secret raid of a Maryland farm in search of Navy's mascot, Bill No. 37, over the weekend.

Dave Philipps of the New York Times reported Tuesday that the long tradition of trying to steal the opponent's mascot has continued despite pleas from military officials to stop the practice, which typically happens during the lead-up to the annual Army-Navy football game.

This year's clash between the Black Knights and the Midshipmen is scheduled for Dec. 11, and Army tried to strike first with its "spirit mission" in search for Bill No. 37.

Instead, the cadets returned to West Point—the United States Military Academy—with Bill No. 34, a retired mascot who's 14 years old and deals with arthritis, according to a joint statement from Army and Navy provided to the New York Times.

A military employee told Philipps the goat was returned to the farm Monday and that a veterinarian said the animal was in "good health" following a checkup.

Lt. Gen. Darryl Williams and Vice Adm. Sean Buck, the superintendents of the academies, confirmed in the joint statement the situation is under investigation, saying they are "disappointed by the trust that was broken recently between our brothers and sisters in arms" and the Cadets' actions don't "reflect either academy's core values of dignity and respect."

They also reiterated the stealing of animal mascots is "off limits."

Army (7-3) will likely be the heavy favorite over Navy (2-8) when the teams meet to close out the regular season next month at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Notre Dame and Navy will take their college football rivalry overseas in 2023.

The Fighting Irish announced on Thursday that their game against the Midshipmen two years from now will be played in Dublin, Ireland. The teams have faced each other in Dublin twice before, in 1996 at Croke Park and in 2012 at Aviva Stadium.

Dublin, here we come! ☘️#GoIrish pic.twitter.com/dRASY4qRnU

— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) November 4, 2021

Notre Dame and Navy are set to meet this Saturday for the first time since 2019. Their 2020 matchup was originally scheduled to be played at Aviva Stadium in Dublin but the COVID-19 pandemic forced it to be moved to Annapolis before being canceled altogether.

It would have been Navy's first time hosting the game in the history of the rivalry. The Midshipmen usually hold their "home" games against the Fighting Irish at larger facilities due to the small size of Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Notre Dame has played host more often in South Bend.

The rivalry between Notre Dame and Navy has been largely one-sided. The Fighting Irish lead the all-time series 77-13-1 and are on a three-game winning streak. The Midshipmen last won in 2016, a one-point victory.

Notre Dame is 7-1 and ranked No. 8 in the AP poll and No. 10 in the College Football Playoff rankings. The Irish are on a three-game winning streak following last month's loss to then-No. 7 Cincinnati. The team also made a splash in recruiting this week, landing a commitment from 2023 5-star linebacker Drayk Bowen.

Navy is 2-6 this season with two three-game losing streaks. The Midshipmen ended their second skid last week with a 20-17 win over Tulsa and will look to keep the momentum going on Saturday against the Irish.