Army Falls To Navy, 17-16 In 4th Quarter Comeback
Army 2025 season is linked to many themes, but perhaps the one that truly stands out is that coming into Saturday’s Army-Navy game, in eight (8) games, those contests were decided by 7 points are fewer, which was tied for most in the nation.
Well, at the the 126th Army-Navy game, the Black Knights’ season narrative manifested itself once again … although it also be called a “Game Of Inches” and/or “2nd Half Offensive No-Show”.
But let’s first give credit where credit is due. The Midshipmen started out the gate on fire and ended the same way in their comeback victory.
On the opening possession, they drove 75 yards in 13 plays in over 7-minutes as they took an early 7-0 lead.
But hold on … the Cale Hellums lead Army offense responded on their own lengthy drive (13 plays, 75 yards and 7:21 time) of their own to answer the bell and netted the contest at 7-7.
On Navy’s next possession the Army defense held and the Midshipmen were forced to punt and the Black Knights’ offense picked up where they left off, but this time only putting 3 points on the board on a 20 yard field, as game moved into the 2nd quarter.
The Army defense responded again on Navy’s next offensive possession, as defensive end Jack Bousum recovered a Navy fumble at the 27 yard line as the 2nd quarter coming to a close.
Defensive End Jack Bousum celebrating fumble recovery (GBK Photographer – Lucas Tang)
So with .03 seconds remaining in the 1st half, kicker Dawson Jones hit on a 45 yard field goal and Army took a 13-7 lead into the half.
Needless to say, there was plenty of optimism and excitement from the Army fanbase … because to open the 2nd half, Army had the ball. But unfortunately, the offense went 3 & out and this emotional rollercoaster was just beginning.
On 3rd & 8 at their own 14, Navy QB Blake Horvath went back to pass but CB Justin Weaver made the INT and ran it back 32 yards for what would have given the Black Knights a 16-7 3rd quarter lead. But wait one minute … upon making the pick, Weaver’s knee was on the ground, which means that it’s Army’s ball where he was officially down. The Army offense which was beginning their 2nd half ineffectiveness could not move the ball and settle for 3-points on the leg of Dawson Jones and increased their lead to 16-7.
Navy turned around and put 3 points on the board on a 21 yard field goal on a 4th & goal possession, as Army’s lead was now 16-10.
Again, nothing from the Army offense and once again, they have to on a 3 and out, which closes out the 3rd quarter.
4th Quarter
Navy turned around and put 3 points on the board on a 21 yard field goal on a 4th & goal possession, as Army’s lead was now 16-10.
Again, nothing from the Army offense and once again, they have to on a 3 and out, which closes out the 3rd quarter.
As the 4th quarter starts, Navy’s offense is shut down by the Army ‘D’ and they also go 3 and out.
The Black Knights have the ball on their own 24 yard line and Hellums makes an untimely pass that is picked by the Midshipmen.
With 11:19 on the game clock, the proverbial question is … will Army’s defense have enough in their tank to stop the Navy offense from hitting pay dirt or will the Midshipmen do enough to retain the CiC Trophy?
Well, 9 plays later and on 4th & Goal from the 8 yard line and 6:32 on the clock, the question was answered. Horvath found a wide open Eli Heidenreich for 6 and with the extra point, Navy took a 17-16 lead.
This was followed by a 3 and out for Army and with the ball in Navy’s hands and a visibly exhausted Black Knights’ defense, the Midshipmen ran out the game clock and Army ends up singing 1st.
Black Knight players end of game expression says it all (GBK Photographer – Lucas Tang)
BOX SCORE
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final | |
| Army | 0 | 13 | 3 | 0 | 16 |
| Navy | 7 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 17 |
SCORING SUMMARY
| Qtr | Time | Scoring Play | Army | Navy |
| 1st | 07:16 | Navy – #11 B.Horv ath 5 yd rush (#17 N.Kirkwood kick), 13-75, 07:44 | 7 | 7 |
| 2nd | 14:55 | Army – #3 C.Hellums 2 yd rush (#95 D.Jones kick), 13-75, 07:21 | 7 | 7 |
| 2nd | 03:45 | Army – #95 D.Jones 20 yd FG, 14-63, 08:52 | 10 | 7 |
| 2nd | 00:00 | Army – #95 D.Jones 45 yd FG, 4-27, 00:20 | 13 | 7 |
| 3rd | 09:39 | Army – #95 D.Jones 48 yd FG, 4-2, 02:09 | 16 | 7 |
| 3rd | 02:59 | Navy – #17 N.Kirkwood 21 yd FG, 13-72, 06:40 | 16 | 10 |
| 4th | 06:32 | Navy – #22 E.Heidenreich 8 yd pass from #11 B.Horvath (#17 N.Kirkwood kick), 9-50, 04:47 | 16 | 17 |
POST GAME INTERVIEWS
Post Game Analysis with GBK’s Football Analyst Joe Iacono
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