Who Won the Navy and Army Game?
The Navy-Army Game is an annual college football rivalry game between the United States Naval Academy (Navy) and the United States Military Academy (Army). The game is played on the first Saturday in December and has been a tradition since 1890. The rivalry is not only about bragging rights, but it also has significant implications for the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy, which is awarded to the winner.
Who Won the Recent Navy and Army Games?
Before we dive into the history of the game, let’s take a look at the recent results:
| Year | Score | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 31-7 | Navy |
| 2019 | 31-7 | Army |
| 2018 | 10-0 | Army |
| 2017 | 14-13 | Navy |
| 2016 | 21-17 | Army |
As you can see, the game has been dominated by the Midshipmen of Navy in recent years. However, the Black Knights of Army have had their share of victories as well.
History of the Navy-Army Game
The first Navy-Army game was played in 1890, and it was a close match that ended in a 24-0 victory for the Naval Academy. The game was played at West Point, New York, and it marked the beginning of a long-standing rivalry between the two service academies.
Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy
The Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy is awarded to the winner of the game, and it is kept by the winning team. The trophy is a bronze statue of a sailor, soldier, and airman standing together, symbolizing the unity and cooperation between the three branches of the US military.
Most Significant Moments in Navy-Army Game History
- 1946: The first game played after World War II saw Navy dominate Army 32-0.
- 1958: Army’s 22-12 victory over Navy was the first win for the Black Knights in over 20 years.
- 1979: Navy’s 38-16 victory over Army marked the 50th anniversary of the rivalry.
- 2016: Army’s 21-17 win over Navy marked the Black Knights’ first win since 2001.
- 2020: Navy’s 31-7 victory over Army marked their first win since 2017.
Notable Players and Coaches
- Navy’s Most Famous Players:
- Roger Staubach, quarterback (1962-1964) and NFL Hall of Famer
- Ron Johnson, fullback (1971-1974) and NFL player
- Chris McCoy, quarterback (1994-1997) and Navy’s all-time leading passer
- Army’s Most Famous Players:
- Glenn Davis, fullback (1940-1942) and NFL player
- Doc Blanchard, fullback (1942-1944) and NFL player
- Clayton Webb, quarterback (1982-1985) and NFL player
- Navy’s Most Famous Coaches:
- Eddie Erdelatz (1946-1958), won 5 national championships
- Wayne Hardin (1965-1972), led Navy to 3 consecutive bowl wins
- Ken Niumatalolo (2002-2019), won 10 bowl games and 1 national championship
- Army’s Most Famous Coaches:
- Earl "Red" Blaik (1941-1958), led Army to 3 national championships
- Hootie Ingram (1959-1961), led Army to a Cotton Bowl win
- Jeff Monken (2014-present), led Army to 3 bowl wins and 1 Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy
Conclusion
The Navy-Army Game is a historic and significant event in the world of college football. The rivalry is not only about bragging rights, but it also has implications for the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy. The game has seen its fair share of notable players and coaches, and it continues to be an exciting event for fans of both teams.
