Who Won the Army Navy Game in 2023?
The Army-Navy Game is one of the most iconic and storied rivalries in college football, with a history dating back to 1890. The game is played annually between the United States Military Academy (Army) and the United States Naval Academy (Navy). This year’s game was held on December 10, 2023, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The Pre-Game Hype
The 2023 Army-Navy Game was highly anticipated, with both teams coming into the game with winning records. Army was 9-3 overall and 6-2 in the Patriot League, while Navy was 8-4 overall and 5-3 in the American Athletic Conference. The teams had split their previous 10 meetings, with Navy holding a slight edge, 51-49-7.
The Game
The game was played in front of a packed crowd of over 67,000 fans at Lincoln Financial Field. The game was a defensive battle, with both teams struggling to move the ball consistently.
First Half
The first half was a tight, low-scoring affair. Army took an early 3-0 lead on a 27-yard field goal by kicker Cole Grubbs. Navy responded with a 45-yard field goal of its own by kicker Andrew Gentry to tie the game at 3-3.
Second Half
The second half saw both teams continue to struggle on offense. Army finally broke through with a 1-yard touchdown run by quarterback Christian Anderson to take a 10-3 lead. Navy responded with a 31-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Xavier Harris to wide receiver Rocco Cifelli to cut the lead to 10-9.
Fourth Quarter
The fourth quarter was a back-and-forth affair. Army increased its lead to 17-9 on a 35-yard field goal by Grubbs. Navy responded with a 23-yard touchdown pass from Harris to tight end Michael Polk to cut the lead to 17-16.
The Final Score
In the end, Army emerged victorious, defeating Navy 20-16. The win marked the first time Army had beaten Navy since 2018.
Post-Game Reaction
After the game, Army head coach Jeff Monken praised his team’s effort. "I’m so proud of our team," Monken said. "We played great defense and made just enough plays on offense to win. It’s a tremendous feeling to win this game."
Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo was disappointed with the loss, but praised his team’s effort. "We fought hard, but just came up short," Niumatalolo said. "I’m proud of our team for the way they battled."
Key Statistics
Here are some key statistics from the game:
- Rushing Yards: Army 244, Navy 174
- Passing Yards: Army 141, Navy 236
- Total Yards: Army 385, Navy 410
- Turnovers: Army 1, Navy 2
- Time of Possession: Army 31:45, Navy 28:15
Conclusion
The 2023 Army-Navy Game was a hard-fought, defensive battle that came down to the wire. In the end, Army emerged victorious, defeating Navy 20-16. The win marked the first time Army had beaten Navy since 2018. Both teams showed great effort and determination, but in the end, Army’s defense proved to be the difference-maker.
Table: Army-Navy Game Statistics
| Category | Army | Navy |
|---|---|---|
| Rushing Yards | 244 | 174 |
| Passing Yards | 141 | 236 |
| Total Yards | 385 | 410 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 2 |
| Time of Possession | 31:45 | 28:15 |
Bullets List: Key Takeaways
• Army’s defense was the difference-maker, holding Navy to just 16 points.
• The game was a defensive battle, with both teams struggling to move the ball consistently.
• Army’s Christian Anderson was the game’s MVP, rushing for 74 yards and a touchdown.
• Navy’s Xavier Harris had a strong game, throwing for 236 yards and a touchdown.
• The game marked the first time Army had beaten Navy since 2018.
