Army-Navy Game: Gene Steratore calls out missed pass interference call before halftime

Late in the first half of Saturday’s Army–Navy Game, the Black Knights looked to cash in after a turnover by Blake Horvath. They took a shot at the end zone, but CBS rules analyst Gene Steratore said the officials missed a pass interference call just before halftime.

Cale Hellums tried to find Noah Short for a touchdown to put Army ahead 17-7, but Cam Robinson was there to break it up. However, both Short and Robinson appeared to get tied up while the ball was in the air, though the officials did not throw a flag.

Ultimately, play continued. But Steratore said he thinks there should have been a pass interference call, given the contact.

“I think you’ve got a PI on the play,” Steratore said on the broadcast. “I think it’s pass interference. When Robinson’s running into him, the contact is before he gets his head around and you’ve got to give Short that opportunity to come back toward the football if you’re not playing the football there. I think pass interference would’ve been the right call.”

Navy struck first on the opening drive to start this year’s Army-Navy Game when Horvath punched in a five-yard rushing touchdown. But Army responded when Hellums scored a two-yarder to bring things to a 7-7 tie. The Black Knights then added a field goal to take a 10-7 lead.

Then, as the Midshipmen tried to respond, Horvath tried to stop his pass attempt and wound up committing a fumble. That gave Army the ball back with 20 seconds left, and while the Black Knights could not find the end zone, they tacked on another field goal to take a 13-7 lead into halftime.

Army’s offense looked strong through the first half, led by 79 rushing yards from Hellums as the Black Knights ran for 102 as a group. On the Navy side, Horvath led the way with 33 rushing yards and a touchdown.

This year marks the 126th matchup between Army and Navy, taking place at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. The Midshipmen entered with a 9-2 overall record this year, including a 7-1 mark in American Conference play. However, they missed out on the conference championship game due to the tiebreakers.

Army, meanwhile, went 6-5 during the regular season and 4-4 in American action. The Black Knights won three of their final four games to end the year, capped b a victory over UTSA to secure bowl eligibility, as well.