No. 21 Navy tops Army for 14th straight win in series

Navy was a 22-point favorite.

Reynolds rushed for two touchdowns and threw for another score to lead the No. 21 Midshipmen to their 14th straight victory over the Black Knights, 21-17 on Saturday at Lincoln Financial Field.

“We get to go to the White House this year and get our trophy back”, Reynolds said. One of the most famous matchups was in 1944 between the schools – the 46th Army Navy game.

Daniel Grochowski missed a 29-yard field goal early in the quarter.

There was a highly anticipated NFL game between the Washington Redskins and Dallas Cowboys on Monday night, but Navy football players had not gathered in front of a television at Ricketts Hall to watch the showdown between the longtime rivals.

Behind a revitalized defense and another record-setting performance from quarterback Keenan Reynolds, Navy wore down Army to notch its 14th win in a row in the long rivalry.

Meanwhile, the Black Knights come in on a four-game losing streak and with the lone win over an FBS team coming against Eastern Michigan.

Midshipmen quarterback Keenan Reynolds, whose 85 rushing touchdowns are the most in Division I history, was struggling in the running game. Reynolds has thrived on the national stage as one of the best college football players this season and he will prove that once again as the Navy aim to keep their streak alive against Army.

An inspired Navy defense continued its dominance in the second half, forcing its fourth straight three and out in the third quarter as Will Anthony exploded through the line for a sack on third down.

This is why it is the truest rivalry game in all of sports because they play it for the true love of the game. Navy has held its opponents to 21 or fewer points in 10 of its 12 games this season…. “I was thinking, one or two plays either way and we lose that game”.

Reynolds, one of the greatest quarterbacks in Navy history, entered the game with the attention of a Heisman Trophy campaign and he met every expectation. Overall, Saturday’s game was encouraging, as the Black Knights, who are just 2-10, had opportunities to beat a ranked Navy team that is now 10-2.

Army’s 10th touchdown reception of the season – a 39-yard, over-the-shoulder catch by Poe – provided the Black Knights with the 17-14 lead with 2:08 left in the second quarter.

Navy athletic director Chet Gladchuk was not happy when reports surfaced this week about BYU showing interest in head football coach Ken Niumatalolo.

Navy is 9-2 on the season, 8-3 against the spread and 7-4 with the over.

The Midshipmen will now turn their attention to Pittsburgh (8-4) as Navy gets set to battle the Panthers in Annapolis in the Military Bowl on December 28th. Down three in the second half, Navy took the lead for good as Reynolds connected with Jamir Tillman for a 50-yard touchdown. It gave Navy a 21-17 lead.