Navy quarterback Kriss Proctor, center, celebrates with Midshipmen after beating Army 27-21. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
In the best Army-Navy game of the past decade, Navy held off a late push from Army to seal their 10th win in a row in the rivalry.
Navy kicker Jon Teague kicked two field goals in the fourth quarter, which proved to be the difference as Navy won 27-21.
After leading Army on drives to tie the game in the second and third quarter, Army quarterback Trent Steelman again drove the Black Knights into Navy territory late in the game. But the Mids’ defense ended the drive at the Navy 25-yard line, stopping Steelman on 4th and 7.
Navy’s offense, led by senior quarterback Kris Proctor (2 touchdowns, 97 yards rushing), then ran out the clock to clinch the win.
Following the final gun, Navy Midshipmen chanted “10 more years.” But today’s game — the closest in the series since Army’s last win in 2001 — shows coach Rich Ellerson clearly has built Army’s football program up enough to compete with their rivals. Army once again had to listen to their alma mater first, but the Cadets appear to have finally caught up with Navy.
Navy’s seniors stepped up big time for midshipmen, playing like they did not want their class to be the one who ended the streak over Army. Fullback Alexander Teich, Proctor and star defensive end Jabaree Tuani all had major contributions . Tuani paced the defense in the first half with a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and one sack. Teich started the second half with a 48-yard kickoff return, which seemed to revive Navy after Army had scored two second-quarter TDs to tie the game.
Navy offensive tackle Graham Vickers (70) and running back John Howell (33) celebrate on the field with their teammates after beating Army. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
