Navy Wins 115th Army-Navy Game And 13th In A Row, 17-10

Make it a baker’s dozen for the Navy Midshipmen.

According to the New York Times, Navy escaped the 115th version of the Army-Navy game 17-10. Navy has won the last 13 contests in a row. Unlike most of those 13, however, Navy had to fight back a scrappy, determined Army squad.

Army’s first-year coach, Jeff Monken, was trying to reverse the 13-game tide. Monken has some knowledge of the Navy scheme, having served as an assistant under Paul Johnson for Navy from 2002 to 2007. Monken runs a triple-option offense, like Navy.

Led by junior quarterback Keenan Reynolds, who scored a rushing and passing touchdown, Navy fended off a persistent Army attack that couldn’t quite get off the ground. Army did score first, blocking a Navy punt after holding Navy’s first drive to a three-and-out. Army cornerback Josh Jenkins blocked a punt by Navy’s Pablo Beltran. Army wide receiver Xavier Moss picked up the fumble and ran seven yards for the game’s first score.

Monken has brought change to the Black Knights, having compiled a 4-8 record. Though still a losing record, the attitude and mentality surrounding the Black Knights has turned. Their goal this season was to beat Navy.

“We wanted to win the game,” Monken said. “I didn’t have the feeling we wanted to play good and we would feel good about that, that we’re getting closer” to Navy.

USA Today reports that Reynolds’ rushing touchdown gives him 62 career touchdowns for his career at Navy. Reynolds ended the game rushing for 128 yards and passing for 77 more.

Army starting quarterback Angel Santiago was replaced in the third quarter by A.J. Schurr, who is considered the better passer of the two quarterbacks. During last year’s Army-Navy game, Schurr started, but was replaced by Santiago in the first quarter after Schurr gave up a costly fumble. Schurr unfortunately was at it again, giving up a costly fumble during the fourth quarter while trying to tie the score with Navy.

Though the season is over for Army, Navy (7-5) will travel to San Diego, California, for a December 23 date in the Poinsettia Bowl versus San Diego State.

Army’s defense played a stout game, led by sophomore linebackers Andrew King and Jeremy Timpf, each of whom had 26 tackles.

Though the game has diminished in years as far as ratings are concerned, the game does hold a significance to college football fans. These players can vie for NFL glory after two years of a five-year commitment, but the chances of that happening are far off, indeed. These players play for the love of the game, and for their country. What more important reason could there be?

[Image courtesy of Facebook]