Navy Beats Army 17-16 in 126th Rivalry Thriller
In a thrilling comeback at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, the Navy Midshipmen defeated the Army Black Knights 17-16 on Saturday, securing their second consecutive victory in the 126th edition of the storied Army-Navy rivalry. The game, played before a sellout crowd of 75,000 under sunny skies with temperatures in the high 30s and a brisk wind off the Chesapeake Bay, showcased the intense competition and tradition that define this annual clash between the service academies.
Navy, ranked No. 22 and finishing the regular season at 10-2, trailed 16-10 entering the fourth quarter but rallied behind quarterback Blake Horvath. The decisive drive began after Navy's Phillip Hamilton intercepted Army quarterback Cale Hellums with 11:19 remaining, giving the Midshipmen possession at midfield. Running back Alex Tecza's 24-yard run advanced the ball to the Army 5-yard line, but a fumble by Horvath on second-and-goal from the 1 nearly derailed the effort. Wide receiver Eli Heidenreich recovered the loose ball at the 8-yard line, preserving the opportunity. Facing fourth-and-goal from the 8 with 6:32 left, Horvath threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to Heidenreich over the middle, and the extra...