Blake Horvath's Dominant 4 TD, 204-Yard Rushing Game Wows CFB Fans as Navy Beats Army
Dec 14, 2024
LANDOVER, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 14: Quarterback Blake Horvath #11 of the Navy Midshipmen celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Army Black Knights during the first quarter of 125th America's Game between the Army Black Knights and the Navy Midshipmen at Northwest Stadium on December 14, 2024 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
Video: Army Unveils Uniforms for Navy Game; Will Honor 101st AIrborne Division
Nov 18, 2024
WEST POINT, NY - SEPTEMBER 25: Army football players will wear the 7th Infantry Division stickers on their helmets during the game against the Miami (Oh) Redhawks at Michie Stadium on September 25, 2021 in West Point, New York. (Photo by Edward Diller/Getty Images)
On Monday, Army revealed its uniform for the rivalry game against Navy on Dec. 14, and it features some historical significance.
Army announced that the uniform will honor the 101st Airborne Division that withstood a Nazi offensive during World War II in what is now known as the Battle of the Bulge:
"On December 14, we are honored to represent the past, present, and future Screaming Eagles of the 101st Airborne Division," Army stated in a press release. "As we take the field against our rivals, we carry the paratroopers' legacy and traditions with us as we seek to emulate their Rendezvous with Destiny by refusing to yield the Commander-in-Chief's trophy."
At 9-0, the Black Knights are one of the last remaining unbeaten teams in FBS. They moved up to No. 24 in the second College Football Playoff Rankings and sit at No. 18 in the AP Top 25.
While Navy leads the all-time series against Army 62-55-7, the Black Knights have won the last two meetings and six out of the last eight showdowns. Their win in 2016 ended a 14-game win streak for the Midshipmen.
Before facing Navy, Army has a marquee prime-time matchup against No. 8 Notre Dame on Saturday. The Black Knights will also face UTSA on Nov. 30 before gearing up to meet the Midshipmen.
Navy fell to 7-3 with a loss to No. 25 Tulane this past Saturday. The Midshipmen will be off this week before facing ECU on Nov. 29.
Army Celebrated by CFB Fans for Clinching Commander-in-Chief's Trophy in Win vs. Navy
Dec 9, 2023
FOXBOROUGH, MA - DECEMBER 09: Army Black Knights cadets during the march-on prior to the 124th Army-Navy football game on December 9, 2023, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA. (Photo by M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
In the 124th all-time meeting between the Army Black Knights and the Navy Midshipmen, Army was able to build a first-half lead and never relinquished it, winning the game 17-11 despite a late charge from Navy.
The game took place at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts, and saw the Black Knights improve to 6-6 on the season. The victory also secured the Commander-in-Chief trophy for Army, as the team defeated both Navy and Air Force during the 2023 season.
The first quarter was scoreless, although a huge interception from Army's Max DiDomenico provided the game's first big momentum shift.
Max DiDomenico with the first BIG PLAY of the afternoon.
This would lead to a scoring drive for the Black Knights that was capped off with a passing touchdown from quarterback Bryson Daily to running back Tyson Riley.
The Black Knights would add a field goal at the end of the opening half to increase the lead to 10-0. Neither team would break through in the third quarter, but the Midshipmen finally got on the board early in the third quarter with a field goal that made the score 10-3.
Navy would have a chance to tie the game at 10 but Army linebacker Kalib Fortner would force a fumble and took it 44 yards for a touchdown to increase the lead to 17-3.
Navy would make a push after this, scoring a touchdown and advancing all the way to the one-yard line as time expired, but came up just short and finished its season with a 5-7 record.
The victory secured the Black Knight's 10th overall Commander-in-Chief trophy, fourth in the 21st century and first since 2020. Fans on social media celebrated Army's accomplishment.
Commander in Chief TROPHY TO THE GREATEST FIGHTING FORCE ON THE PLANET. #GoArmy Proud to be apart of the brotherhood
— Nic Evil Back2Back🏆🏆#ForTheA 🐶⚫🔴🇺🇸🇺🇸🇮🇪 (@CarolinaDawgs1) December 9, 2023
What Jeff Monken has done at @ArmyWP_Football is truly remarkable. The Black Knights just clinched their 4th Commander-in-Chief's Trophy in 7 years...after not winning it for two decades! #ArmyNavy
This was Army's second consecutive victory over Navy and the Black Knight's sixth win in the past eight seasons. Navy still leads the overall series 62-55-7.
Report: Army Added to AAC as Football-Only Member Starting with 2024-25 Season
Oct 25, 2023
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 23: Head coach Jeff Monken of the Army Black Knights sings the Alma Mater after the game against Syracuse at JMA Wireless Dome on September 23, 2023 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Edward Diller/Getty Images)
Army football is going to join a conference for the first time in 20 years starting in the 2024-25 season.
Per Yahoo Sports' Ross Dellenger, American Athletic Conference presidents voted on Tuesday night to add the Black Knights as a football-only member.
Brett McMurphy of The Action Network noted an official announcement from the AAC and Army is expected to come on Wednesday afternoon. Since both teams are in the same conference, he noted that Army and Navy could play in consecutive weeks going forward in the AAC Championship Game and the following week in what would be considered a non-conference game.
Army will join American Athletic Conference as football-only member in 2024, ending a 19-year run as an independent, sources told @ActionNetworkHQ. 1st report @RossDellenger. Official announcement this afternoon, source said. Although Army & Navy will both be in AAC, annual…
Army's move to the AAC for football has been expected. AAC commissioner Mike Aresco said in a Sept. 28 interview with Dellenger that both sides were interested in teaming up and an official announcement could come in a "few weeks."
Dellenger highlighted some of the hurdles that had to be cleared before Army could be added to the conference:
"Army's television contract with CBS Sports Network extends through the 2028 season. The network owns all of the program's home games over that stretch. The AAC would begin controlling Army's home game broadcasting rights starting in 2029 unless the league or its broadcasting partner, ESPN, comes to a financial settlement with CBS Sports Network."
He also pointed out Army's status as an independent meant it could have to pay an exit fee of more than $35 million for the 80-plus games on its future schedule, but the program was working with college football scheduling consultant Dave Brown "to break free of the agreements or reschedule the games."
Army will be the seventh program added to the AAC since the start of the 2023-24 season. UAB, Florida Atlantic, UNC-Charlotte, North Texas, Rice and UTSA are all in their first year in the American Athletic Conference.
The Black Knights have been an independent in football since leaving Conference USA after the 2004 season. Notre Dame, Connecticut and Massachusetts will be the only remaining independents in FBS when Army is officially added to the AAC.
Report: Army Eyed by AAC as SMU Replacement amid Conference Realignment Rumors
Sep 2, 2023
WEST POINT, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 22: Tyson Riley #32 of the Army Black Knights reacts after a play during the second quarter of the game against the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks at Michie Stadium on October 22, 2022 in West Point, New York. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
The American Athletic Conference is reportedly targeting Army as a replacement for SMU in football.
According to ESPN's Pete Thamel, Army became the AAC's top choice to be its 14th member in football on Friday after a call involving member school presidents and athletic directors.
Per Thamel, the ACC announced Friday that it plans to add SMU, Stanford and California to the conference next season, leaving the American Athletic Conference with just 13 teams in football.
If Army does join the AAC, it will be for football only, which is the same arrangement that rival Navy has with the conference.
AAC commissioner Mike Aresco is reportedly in conversations with Army athletic director Mike Buddie about the Black Knights joining the conference, although nothing is imminent yet.
Army was an independent in football for its entire existence until 1998 when it joined Conference USA. After seven seasons in C-USA, Army returned to independent status in 2005 and has remained there ever since.
Since there is no other conference possibly preventing Army from joining the AAC, the biggest hurdle may be the status of the iconic Army-Navy game.
Thamel noted that the need and desire to keep Army vs. Navy in its usual slot on the schedule, which is the weekend after the conference championship games, would likely require it to be a non-conference game even though Army and Navy would be in the same conference.
From 1997 to 2015, the Black Knights had a losing record in 18 out of 19 seasons, but they have enjoyed a program renaissance since then.
Over the past seven seasons, Army has finished .500 or better six times, playing in five bowl games during that stretch.
After going 9-3 in 2020 and 9-4 in 2021, Army dipped to 6-6 last season, but it ended the campaign on a high note, beating Navy for the second time in three years and the fifth time in seven years.
The Army-Navy game has clearly tilted back in the favor of the Black Knights on the heels of Navy winning the contest 14 years in a row from 2002 to 2015.
Army would be a solid addition to an AAC conference that already lost Cincinnati, Houston and UCF to the Big 12 this season, and will lose SMU to the ACC next season.
Andre Carter II NFL Draft 2023: Scouting Report for Army Edge
Jan 31, 2023
WEST POINT, NY - SEPTEMBER 17: Army Black Knights linebacker Andre Carter II (34) during the college football game between the Army Black Knights and the Villanova Wildcats on September 17, 2022 at Michie Stadium in West Point, New York. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
HEIGHT: 6'6.5"
WEIGHT: 256
HAND: 9 3/8"
ARM: 33 3/8"
WINGSPAN: 82 1/8"
40-YARD DASH: 4.91
3-CONE: 6.97
SHUTTLE: 4.29
VERTICAL: 30"
BROAD: 9'1"
POSITIVES
— Great get-off/acceleration off the line of scrimmage to put pressure on offensive tackles vertically and win with speed as a pass-rusher.
— He also recognizes when tackles open their hips and has the change of direction, quickness and use of hands to win with an inside stick move as a counter off the speed rush.
— Also has a nice inside spin move as a counter.
— Limber lower half to clear his hip when working finesse moves.
— Active hands as a pass-rusher overall.
— Good bend to take an efficient path to the quarterback.
— Hustle player with the pass-rush motor to get coverage sacks.
— Has shown flashes of using his quickness to make offensive linemen miss against the run and defeat blocks with a swim move.
— Long arms and violent when shedding to help get off blocks from tight ends.
NEGATIVES
— Thin frame and lacks strength for an NFL edge defender. He'll need to put on about 10 pounds of muscle to hold up at the point of attack against offensive linemen at the next level. That will help him turn speed to power as a rusher too.
— Wide hand placement as a run defender exposes his chest and compounds his strength issues. He'll get pushed around against the run at the beginning of his career.
— At the point of attack, he struggles to gain a leverage advantage with his height and lack of knee bend and takes on blocks with a narrow base.
— Needs to improve his angles and gap discipline versus outside runs. He'll take too shallow of a pursuit angle from the back side and likes to duck inside blocks on the front side.
— Has a habit of leaving his feet when tackling, leading to misses.
— Can afford to add a violent rip to the end of his pass-rush moves to get clean wins or keep offensive linemen from hanging/holding on to him.
2022 STATISTICS
— 10 GM, 41 TOT, 7 TFL, 3.5 SK, 2 PBU
NOTES
— No. 13 on Bruce Feldman's list of exceptional college athletes; 6'10" wingspan, 4.2-second pro agility test
— Injuries: 2022 (undisclosed, missed two games), 2017 (back, missed all but three games of senior year of high school)
— 25 career starts
— 2021 Honors: Third-team All-American (AP), ranked second in FBS with 14.5 sacks
OVERALL
To say Andre Carter II has taken an unusual path to the NFL would be an understatement. After suffering a back injury that caused him to miss the majority of his senior season in high school, Carter went to a prep school where he played as an outside linebacker for the first time. He previously lined up as a wide receiver or tight end.
Even after shining at the Cheshire Academy in Cheshire, Connecticut, he wasn't a highly touted recruit and headed to Army, where athletes typically train to become cadets instead of professionals. But after finishing in second place behind Will Anderson Jr. for the most sacks in the country in 2021, Carter was firmly in the NFL draft discussion.
He hit another bump in the road when a congressional bill would've no longer allowed student-athletes from service academies to defer their service to pursue an opportunity to play professional sports. However, the bill was amended, which cleared Carter's path to the league.
The Army product is an excellent pass-rusher whose speed off the line of scrimmage will translate to the next level. He also has an impressive inside stick move and a handful of counters to keep offensive tackles guessing. There's little doubt he'll get after the quarterback at the next level, but his run defense is a big question.
Despite being listed at 260 pounds, Carter doesn't show a lot of functional strength and needs to add weight to hold up at the point of attack. He's solid at taking on blocks from tight ends, but NFL offensive tackles will have their way with him in the ground game.
He'll likely be a situational pass-rusher for his first year or two in the league as he'll need time in an NFL training program and weight room before developing as an every-down player. That bodes well for his potential, though, seeing as he received very different training from his Power Five counterparts.
Schematically, Carter would be best as a stand-up outside linebacker for a team that uses a lot of odd fronts. Until he gets more stout at the point of attack, he'll feel like a square peg trying to fit into a round hole as a hand-in-the-ground defensive end for an even-front team.
GRADE: 7.4 (High-Level Backup or Potential Starter)
Andre Carter II to Be Eligible for 2023 NFL Draft; Army LB Is No. 29 on B/R Big Board
Dec 20, 2022
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 10: Army Black Knights linebacker Andre Carter II (34) warms up prior to the 123rd Army Navy game on December 10, 2022 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Army linebacker Andre Carter II is expected to be eligible for the 2023 NFL draft thanks to a provision in the Omnibus Appropriations Measure.
ESPN's Pete Thamel reported amended language was added to the Congressional bill and filed Tuesday. The changes will provide Carter and any other current academy upperclassmen at Army, Navy and Air Force the ability to defer their military service for the chance to play professional sports.
Thamel noted the bill is "expected to pass this week."
Carter is a potential first-round draft pick who is the No. 29 overall player and No. 6 edge-rusher on B/R NFL Scouting Department's big board.
Thamel previously noted athletes have been able to delay service requirements since 2019 if they had the opportunity to play professionally, but that seemed to be changing before the new language that permits a legacy exception.
The language said the inability to apply for such an exception "shall only apply with respect to a cadet or midshipman who first enrolls in the United States Military Academy, the United States Naval Academy, or the United States Air Force Academy on or after June 1, 2021."
Carter had the opportunity to transfer to powerhouse college football programs in the past and perhaps cash in on his name, image and likeness, but Thamel reported his family never even gave such a path "serious consideration."
That was one reason they were so upset before Tuesday's amended language. His mother, Melissa Carter, said:
"Here's the thing that's so painful. You guide your son to do the right things because it's right. And it's really disappointing that it's not reciprocated. This has been his goal since childhood, to go into the NFL. Every step of the way, that was on track, until we saw this article. That's the part that's disappointing. It's not surprising to see so many people transfer, opt out or switch teams. When loyalty is not reciprocated, that stings."
Army coach Jeff Monken echoed those sentiments.
"It's just kind of pulling the rug out from under him," he said. "It's not fair. It's not fair to him. He was loyal to this team and institution. He could have left and he didn't. He still wants to serve. It's not that he doesn't want to serve. He wants to pursue the NFL and play, and then serve."
Yet Thamel reported Carter's situation "rippled quickly through Washington, D.C.," which led to the expedited process that resulted in the amended language.
Members of Congress such as Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer and Mitch McConnell were all involved.
Carter's parents, Melissa and Andre, told ESPN:
"Thank you to the members of congress who stepped up, spoke out and worked expeditiously in support of Andre and other service academy cadets and midshipmen who made decisions in reliance on the 2019 policy allowing deferral of service. The goodness we saw in people this past week will forever be imprinted upon us."
Attention turns to the NFL draft process as the 6'7" pass-rusher attempts to make an impression on teams through the scouting combine, Senior Bowl and interviews.
His breakthrough season came in 2021 when he tallied 41 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 14.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, two passes defended, one interception and one fumble recovery. He helped lead Army to an Armed Forces Bowl win over the SEC's Missouri with a sack to end that season.
That put Carter firmly under the spotlight in 2022, and he responded with 41 tackles, seven tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and two passes defended in 10 games. He also posted four tackles in a double-overtime win over Navy.
The B/R NFL Scouting Department listed him as the best speed-rusher in the draft, and he has the chance to become Army's third player drafted since 1969. It has not had a first-round pick since 1947, but Carter could change that.
Army's Andre Carter II May Have to Defer NFL Draft Pursuit If New Bill Is Passed
Dec 16, 2022
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 10: Army Black Knights linebacker Andre Carter II (34) warms up prior to the 123rd Army Navy game on December 10, 2022 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Players at service academies across the United States, including Army linebacker Andre Carter II, may be prevented from playing professional sports right out of school if a bill being sent through Congress is passed.
A section of the National Defense Authorization Act states that not participating in active duty service after graduation from a service academy is considered "a breach of agreement to serve as an officer," according to Leo Shane III and Jonathan Lehrfeld of the Military Times.
The bill says a cadet or midshipman can't be employed as a professional athlete or otherwise until they have completed their commissioned service obligation. An explanation for authorization of the bill states:
"Service academy appointments are a zero sum game. Every appointment that goes to a graduate who does not complete his or her active-duty service obligation to pursue professional athletics could have been awarded to many other qualified young people who would have happily served their country."
Since 2019, some athletes from service academies have been able to apply to delay their active duty requirement and pursue a career in professional sports.
Carter, a 6'7", 260-pound linebacker, is likely to be a first-round pick in the 2023 NFL draft. The senior's best year came in 2021 when he posted 14.5 sacks, 41 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, one interception, two pass breakups, four forced fumbles and one fumble recovery in 12 games.
This season, he had 3.5 sacks, 41 tackles, seven tackles for loss and two pass breakups in 10 games. The Black Knights finished the season 6-6.
If Carter can't play in the NFL immediately, it would be disappointing since he has dreamed about playing professional football his entire life. While Carter declined to speak to ESPN's Pete Thamel, his father, Andre, said Carter is "so upset."
"He was literally, visually upset because of the uncertainty. He was not happy. When you're in the military, everything is precise," his father said. "To have something at the eleventh hour kind of thrown out there when you are so used to having a regiment; he's in a fog about the whole thing."
Army head coach Jeff Monken told Thamel the policy change isn't fair to Carter, who could have left the service institution and played elsewhere:
"It's not fair. It's not fair to him. He was loyal to this team and institution. He could have left and he didn't. He still wants to serve. It's not that he doesn't want to serve. He wants to pursue the NFL and play, and then serve.
"I'm 100 percent against it."
If the bill is passed, players at service academies would need to complete two years of service before applying for an alternative service option. That could damage their chances of pursuing a career in professional sports.
The policy change could go into effect as soon as next week.
CFB Twitter Rejoices After Army vs. Navy Betting Over Hits for 1st Time in 17 Years
Dec 11, 2022
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 10: A general view before the game between the Army Black Knights and the Navy Midshipmen at Lincoln Financial Field on December 10, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
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
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.
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
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...
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.
