BALTIMORE -- The Army football team and its fans around the world can finally rejoice.

No longer will they have to listen to barbs from Navy or lament another missed opportunity in the biggest game of the year.

At long last, The Streak is over.

Army ended a 14-year run of frustration against the Midshipmen, using an overpowering running game and opportunistic defense to carve out a long overdue 21-17 victory Saturday.

With future commander in chief Donald Trump looking on, the Black Knights blew a 14-point lead before quarterback Ahmad Bradshaw scored on a 9-yard run with 6:42 left to give Army the win it had been waiting for since 2001.

The Black Knights' 14-game losing streak was the longest by either academy in a series that began in 1890. Army (7-5) now trails 60-50-7 in one of the nation's historic rivalries.

"We heard for a long time here at West Point about the streak and all that," Army coach Jeff Monken said. "It feels good to be a part of the team that put that to an end."

Navy (9-4) was coming off a physical 34-10 loss to Temple in the American Athletic Conference title game and had only one week to prepare for Army with a new quarterback, sophomore Zach Abey, who was making his first college start. Abey took over Will Worth, who broke his foot against Temple.

Abey ran for two touchdowns but passed for only 89 yards and was intercepted twice. Navy had four turnovers, three in the first half.

"I take a lot of responsibility for the game," Abey said. "Obviously, in the first half I made some bad decisions. I feel horrible for the seniors."

This senior class at Navy has accounted for 37 wins, most ever at the Academy over a four-year period. But they'll never forget this defeat.

"It hurts a little bit. It hurts a lot a bit," senior receiver Jamir Tillman said. "We will take this loss into the offseason and use this as inspiration and run with it."

That was a mantra chanted by the Black Knights for the past 14 years. Not anymore.

"I'm just happy for our seniors," Monken said. "The sense of pride that they'll have to go on, having beaten Navy, having beaten our biggest rival in their senior year. It's great for everybody in that locker room. I want them to enjoy it."

By halftime, Army led 14-0 and owned a 14-1 advantage in first downs.

After watching from the Navy side of the field before halftime, Trump visited the TV booth on the Army side in the third quarter. The interview with the president-elect coincided with a big shift in momentum.

"In the second half we made some adjustments, and those helped us out pretty well," Navy defensive end Amos Mason said.

Andy Davidson lost a fumble on the Black Knights' first possession of the second half and the Midshipmen recovered at the Army 32. A screen pass for 16 yards set up a 1-yard touchdown run by Abey to get Navy to 14-7.

Minutes later, the Midshipmen got a field goal after a replay overturned a lost fumble by Abey at the Army 11.

A 41-yard touchdown run by Abey gave Navy the lead with 12:42 remaining. But Army wasn't done.

The Black Knights put together a 12-play, 80-yard drive that lasted nearly seven minutes and ended with Bradshaw's TD.

"It was a great feeling," the junior quarterback said. "I can't describe it. It just felt amazing. Our team worked really hard for this to happen today."

Bradshaw went 2 for 4 for 35 yards and an interception in Army's first win in Baltimore since 1944.

Davidson ran for 87 yards and two first-half scores, and Kell Walker carried 16 times for 94 yards.

NEVER QUIT

Some teams might fold after letting a two-touchdown lead vanish. Not Army.

"When they took the lead 17-14 ... maybe some teams get that look in their eye of doubt, or concern," Monken said. "But I think our guys just knuckled down and were determined that they were going to win."

FAREWELL, VERNE

This was the final game in the broadcasting career of 76-year-old Verne Lundquist. He was cheered by the crowd during a live shot on the scoreboard.

THE TAKEAWAY

Army: The Black Knights appear to be on the upswing under Monken, now in his third season. They're headed to a bowl game and have a victory over Navy to celebrate.

Navy: The Midshipmen are staggering to the end of the season after a 9-2 start. The loss to Temple was tough to take, but this was much, much worse.

UP NEXT

Army: The Black Knights meet North Texas in the Heart of Dallas Bowl, Army's first postseason action since 2010.

Navy: The Midshipmen face Louisiana Tech in the Armed Forces Bowl on Dec. 23. It will be Navy's 13th bowl appearance in the last 14 years.</s>BALTIMORE — Army-Navy is America's Game. That's the way Jeff Monken sees it, and he brings a solid argument to back up the assertion.

Now in his third season as Army's head coach, Monken previously spent six years as an assistant at Navy. Having been an integral part of the annual duel between the esteemed service academies, Monken considers it to be the epitome of college football.

On Saturday, he will proudly stand on the sideline, delighted to again be a part of something special.

"Every young man that's playing in the game and 9,000 other college-aged students dressed in uniform sitting in the stands have all made a pledge of commitment to serve this nation," Monken said. "Ultimately, they'll put their lives on the line for all of us who aren't willing to make that commitment. If people don't see this as America's Game, I don't know that they're paying close enough attention."

It doesn't matter that neither Army (6-5) nor Navy (9-3) are in the Top 25, or that the Midshipmen have defeated the Black Knights 14 times in a row.

"It's just a great rivalry that's been a part of the college football landscape for over a century," Monken said.

When their football careers end, the players are obligated to begin serving in the military. Those already in battle will be represented Saturday by several men who may ultimately be by their side.

"For all the soldiers who are laying in foxholes all over the world, chasing bad guys and standing in the gap between the freedom we enjoy and the people that want to take it from us, what an honor and privilege to represent them in a game like this where the whole nation gets to watch," Monken said.

Each team wants to win, but they're all in this thing together.

"We're both fierce competitors. They've got warriors on their side, we've got warriors on our side," Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo said. "We want to beat each other, but there's a mutual respect because both schools know what these young men will be doing for their country when they're done playing football."

Some things to know about the Army-Navy game, the 117th installment of a rivalry that began in 1890:

Army hasn't won since 2001 and now trails in the series 60-49-7. "I don't think there's a streak," Army senior linebacker Andrew King said. "The 2016 Army team has not faced the 2016 Navy team, so we're 0-0 heading into this matchup, looking to go 1-0." Monken, conversely, refused to hide from the obvious "You can't avoid it," he said. "Everybody talks about it. Everybody says when's it going to end and who's going to end it? There's a sense of responsibility to get a victory in this game."

Army suffered a somber loss when sophomore cornerback Brandon Jackson was killed in a one-car crash in September. The Black Knights have dedicated the rest of the season to his memory and their gold helmets have a commemorative sticker with his number on the back. "He's definitely in our thoughts," King said. "I know he'd love to be out here playing with us. I know he's looking down on us."

Navy is coming off a 34-10 defeat to Temple in the American Athletic Conference title game. "Obviously it's a devastating loss," Niumatalolo said. "But we're hoping for the same results following our other two losses. We lost to Air Force, came back and beat Houston. Lost to South Florida, came back to beat Notre Dame . So hopefully after the loss to Temple we can come back to beat our rivals."

Navy quarterback Zach Abey will make his first college start after Will Worth broke his foot against Temple. The Midshipmen also lost slot back Toneo Gulley (foot) in that game. Niumatalolo expects his team to work through it. "It's who they are as people," he said. "When you come to a service academy you have to deal with a lot of things, a lot of adversity. These kids become resilient. To lose these key players, it's tough, but the next guy steps up."

The game has been held in Philadelphia 10 times in 13 years since 2002. Baltimore hosted in 2007 and 2014, and Landover, Maryland was the site in 2011. Navy has won three straight in Baltimore after starting with defeats in 1924 and 1944.</s>But when it comes to bragging rights, it's been heavily one-sided lately, with No. 25 Navy (9-3) having won the last 14 in a row against Army (6-5).

That could change Saturday. The 117th installment of this rivalry is set to kick off at 3 p.m. ET at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, and the Black Knights, who last ended the season with winning records in 2010 and 1996, are in a position to end the streak. That's because the Midshipmen have been decimated by injuries.

"Our players have worked so hard, our seniors in particular and all they've been through in their careers," Army head coach Jeff Monken said to CNN. "To see them finish with a win in this ballgame would mean a great deal to me."

Lack of depth could be a problem for Navy on Saturday. In last week's 34-10 home loss to Temple in the American Athletic Conference championship game, the Midshipmen lost more players to injury, including starting quarterback Will Worth. The senior suffered a broken bone in his foot, ending his season. That's often been the case for them this season.

Worth wasn't even Navy's starter when the year began. That was senior Tago Smith, but he went down in September, suffering a season-ending injury with a torn ACL in his left knee. Next up to run Navy's triple-option offense is sophomore Zach Abey, and he'll be going in with less game experience. When he took over for Worth a week ago, he was 7-for-13 passing for 104 yards, throwing two interceptions. For the season, Abey has rushed for 197 yards and two touchdowns. "I'm pretty nervous," Abey said to CNN. "There's a lot of pressure on me. But at the end of the day, it's just a football game when you get out there. The biggest thing Coach (Ken) Niumatalolo told us all this week is preparation -- how we prepare for this game. Once we get on the field Saturday, we should have a clear mind. We know the game plan. Just play the game we've always played." "It's going to be -- it's a dream come true," Abey continued. "I've always wanted to run out on that field with Navy on my chest. America's game. I'm really looking forward to this. It's going to be something I remember for the rest of my life." Get your mind right! #BeatArmy #RaiseTheSail #GANGofGOATS #TheBrotherhood pic.twitter.com/Zq98xNhpR5 — Navy Football (@NavyFB) December 7, 2016 Despite needing to play his backups at multiple positions, Niumatalolo, who is 8-0 against Army as Navy's head coach, told CNN he believes his team will bounce back after the Temple loss. The Midshipmen won't be lacking motivation. "Continuing the streak for us at the Naval Academy means everything," Niumatalolo said. "To beat Army means everything." Meanwhile, the Black Knights didn't have a game last week, meaning they had extra time to prepare for Navy. Add up the Midshipmen injuries and the lack of rest, and this has the makings of another close game. The last two meetings between the two teams have been decided by a touchdown or less and a combined 11 points. "Ending the streak is very big to me," Army senior linebacker Jeremy Timpf said. "You want to leave as a senior that legacy behind you, and we haven't done it in a long time. And I just want to be part of that class that did it, and I want to be on the field when the celebration goes down." There will be at least one notable person in attendance Saturday: President-elect Donald Trump. He plans to be there, sitting on the Army side for one half and Navy's side for the other.</s>From the corridors of The Pentagon to the fields of strife in the Middle East, there is one question that has been posed repeatedly this week by service members with a rooting interest in the only major college football game played the second Saturday in December.

If Army can't beat Navy this year, when will it?

It would indeed seem like a perfect storm of events has given the Black Knights an advantage going into Saturday's 117th meeting at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.

Army has been off since blowing out Morgan State, 60-3, on Nov. 19 — giving head coach Jeff Monken three weeks to prepare his team for the annual matchup with Navy. The Black Knights are as healthy and rested as they have been all season.

Meanwhile, this marks the first year since 1941 that Navy has not had at least two weeks to get ready for its archrival. The Midshipmen played in the American Athletic Conference championship game last Saturday, meaning head coach Ken Niumatalolo had only three practices to prepare his team for the biggest game of the season.

Making matters worse for the Midshipmen was the fact last Saturday was a total disaster on several levels. Navy not only got hammered by Temple on the scoreboard (34-10), but also got beat up on the field — losing numerous players to injuries over the course of the contest.

Record-setting starting quarterback Will Worth (broken bone in right foot) and top slotback Toneo Gulley (Lisfranc in left foot) both suffered season-ending injuries on the same play. Darryl Bonner, who has been Navy's most explosive slotback this season, was knocked out by a concussion and will not be available against Army. Tyler Carmona, the team's best blocking wide receiver, will sit out Saturday's game with a foot injury.

There was a look of shock and disbelief on the faces of Navy players and coaches as they trudged toward the home locker room at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Even athletic director Chet Gladchuk was not his usual optimistic self, being overhead muttering "I bet the guys up the street will be licking their chops after this" as he walked off the field.

Gladchuk was clearly speaking about the Black Knights on the Hudson River, who no doubt watched on television as the Midshipmen were dismantled by the Owls. Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo was asked about all the circumstances that would seem to favor Army heading into Saturday's showdown.

"It's true. We do have a ton of guys hurt. Obviously, we are coming off a devastating loss. And Army has a really good football team," Niumatalolo said. "But we didn't have any time to feel sorry for ourselves. We had to press forward and find a way to rally. We're banged up, but this is the Army game. Whoever is available needs to strap it up and roll."

As a result of last weekend's carnage, Navy will have a sophomore quarterback making his first career start against Army. Zach Abey, an Archbishop Spalding product who has made just three previous collegiate appearances, will have fewer weapons at his disposal due to the loss of Gulley, Bonner and Carmona.

Gulley leads the team's slotbacks with 427 rushing yards while Bonner has been a big-play threat, averaging 12 ½ yards per touch. Carmona (6-4, 222), who in essence plays a tight end role in certain formations, had receptions of 35 and 47 yards versus East Carolina and SMU.

This stunning confluence of events has even prompted the West Point contingent to express new-found confidence about finally ending its ignominious 14-game losing streak in the series.

"I think this is the best chance we've had in a couple years. We're definitely going to go in with a winning mentality," Army linebacker Alex Aukerman told CBS Sports. "Two years ago, it was like, 'If we play perfect, we can hang with them and win.' It's just slowly transitioning into, 'This is our game to lose this year.' "

Not everyone on the Army side is swayed by the outside noise that Navy is suddenly vulnerable. The Midshipmen (9-3) still come in 25th in the final College Football Playoff rankings and plenty of good players available on both sides of the ball.

"I don't buy into any of that stuff. Ken Niumatalolo is one of the best football coaches in the country and he'll have that team ready to play," third-year Army head coach Jeff Monken said. "A year ago, we started a sophomore quarterback, Chris Carter, who had not played in a college football game until one game before Army-Navy. Chris played well and we had a chance to win that game. Now Navy's in the same situation this season. I'm sure Abey will go in there and do a great job."

Senior inside linebacker Jeremy Timpf, a rare two-year captain who is tied for the team lead with 88 tackles, echoed those sentiments.

"I'm sure there are some external factors at work, but I'm not going out there on Saturday expecting Navy to be any different than every other year. This is the Army-Navy game. There are never any excuses out on that field. That's what makes this game so special," Timpf said.

One would think defensive coordinator Jay Bateman would have the Black Knights employ some tactics designed to confuse and rattle Abey. Last year, Army routinely alternated defensive assignments that caused four-year starting quarterback Keenan Reynolds to make some wrong reads.

"We're not going to do anything different than we would have done against their starting quarterback. It's up to their players to handle whatever we throw at them," Timpf said. "We had a strong game plan in place before Worth went down with an injury and we're going to throw the same game plan at this new quarterback."

Navy offensive coordinator Ivin Jasper insisted he would not scale back the game plan because of Abey's lack of experience, but Niumatalolo admitted that has to be taken into account.

"Obviously, we have to tweak things for Zach and what he does. He's been running the second huddle all season so he knows what we do. We have to do what makes us successful, but we also have to play to his strengths," Niumatalolo said. "I'm not a sports psychologist so I can't really get inside the kid's head. Ivin and I will try our best to help him. All you can do is prepare him the best you can, give him stuff that he can do and hope he'll be successful."

Abey and the rest of the Navy offense will be challenged to consistently move the ball against an Army defense that ranks fifth nationally in total yards allowed (288.9 per game). Timpf and fellow inside linebacker Andrew King (88 tackles) lead a unit that figures to be very aggressive in pressing the line of scrimmage.

"Tough, hard-nosed and well-coached. When you watch that team on tape, it is very physical," Niumatalolo said of the Army defense. "King and Timpf are as good of linebackers as I've seen all year. They're just solid and no frills. They will hit you in the mouth and attack on defense."

Jasper said this week that Abey does not "need to be the hero" and feel like the offensive burden is on his shoulders. Niumatalolo noted the primary responsibilities of the quarterback have never changed during the triple-option era: Get Navy into the right play, distribute the ball properly based off reads and do not commit turnovers.

While the losses have been significant, Navy still boasts a solid fullback tandem in Chris High and Shawn White, who have combined to rush for 904 yards and 12 touchdowns. Dishan Romine (416 rushing yards), who left last week's game with an injury, will play and becomes the top slotback threat.

Navy will no doubt need to throw the ball in order to keep the Army defense honest and wide receiver Jamir Tillman (35 catches for 582 yards) will be the primary target. The 6-foot-4, 212-pound senior made big plays in the two previous Army-Navy games, turning a short pass into a 50-yard touchdown last season and scoring off a 9-yard strike in 2014.

Meanwhile, Army ranks second national in rushing offense with an average of 328.9 yards, one yard more than third-ranked Navy. Ahmad Bradshaw will start at quarterback for the Black Knights, but the aforementioned Chris Carter will also see some action. Bradshaw is the team's second-leading rusher with 644 yards and six touchdowns, but has completed just 42.9 percent of his passes for 615 yards and four scores.

Bruising fullback Andy Davidson (6-2, 220), a converted linebacker, is Army's leading rusher with 818 yards and nine touchdowns.

Sophomore Jordan Asberry (367 yards, 4 touchdowns) is the most dangerous slotback. Senior wide receiver Edgar Poe is the go-to guy in the passing game, averaging almost 21 yards per catch. Poe made a huge impact in last year's loss to the Mids with five receptions for 121 yards and a touchdown.

Navy has been susceptible to the big play this season, allowing 29 gains of 30 yards or more (76th nationally). The Midshipmen rank 127th out of 128 Football Bowl Subdivision schools in third down defense, allowing opponents to convert 52 percent of the time.

Junior inside linebacker Micah Thomas is the runaway leader in tackles (90) for Navy while freshman safety Alohi Gilman, the ECAC Rookie of the Year, ranks second (62). Senior defensive end Amos Mason and junior outside linebacker D.J. Palmore, who have 20 tackles for loss between them, are also key figures on defense.

 

 ———

 ©2016 The Capital (Annapolis, Md.)

 Visit The Capital (Annapolis, Md.) at www.hometownannapolis.com

 Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.</s>M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore begins to fill up ahead of the 117th Army-Navy football game on Dec. 10, 2016.

BALTIMORE – Hope springs eternal for the Army faithful gathered at M&T Bank Stadium for the 117th annual Army-Navy football game.

Despite every reason to be disheartened – after all, the Black Knights haven’t come out on top of the vaunted rivalry game in 14 years – the West Point cadets, veterans and alums who poured into the Baltimore Ravens' stadium remained optimistic about the outcome of Saturday’s game.

“The streak stops here,” said Mohamed Sow, a senior at the U.S. Military Academy. “It ends today.”

At first blush, that may seem a tall order for the Black Knights. After all, the Midshipman came into today’s contest with a rivalry win streak older than many of the game’s attendees. And in more than a century of games between the two service academy rivals, Navy leads Army 60–49–7.

But if any year is to be their year, it could be this one.

The Midshipmen are down to their third-string quarterback, Zach Abey, who has only completed seven passes coming into today’s game. Abey looked shaky when he replaced second string Will Worth against Temple last week, throwing two interceptions in a heartbreaking loss that also saw the loss of running back Dishan Romine.

Those injuries have left some Navy fans a bit more reserved about their team’s chances. Even the most boisterous fan had to admit that it’s likely to be a close game.

“It’s going to be a good game,” said Jim Erisman, a former petty officer who served aboard the USS Norfolk in the early 60s. “It’s a toss-up, it really is.”

Navy has looked solid the rest of the year, but this is the biggest game of the year and having an inexperienced player behind center is a soft spot Army will attempt to exploit. And the vaunted Black Knight defense has only allowed 19.1 points per game. Both teams will be looking to grind out a victory on the ground.

The Black Knights will depend on Andy Davidson (821 yds, 5.5 YPC, 9 TDs) to generate points on the ground. Navy will likewise turn to their duo of Chris High and Shawn White to put points on the board. Expect this to be a tough fought ground game, punctuated by a big time defensive standoff.

Sam Yoshino, brother of a U.S. Military Academy freshman, expects a bit more than just a tough fought game though.

“This is our year,” he said. “Navy’s quarterback went down, and we have a lot of reason for optimism. Our defense is the strongest it’s ever been. We’re playing as good of football as we’ve played all season. I’m ready to beat these [players].”

Unlikely? Perhaps. But as Yoshino pointed out, considering the Chicago Cubs pulled out an unlikely victory in the World Series, nothing seems too unlikely for 2016.</s>In ending a 14-year losing streak, the Black Knights stifled the Midshipmen's offense, especially in the first half, and sent a slew of runners at Navy defenders to fight for a 21-17 win.

After the frustration-ending victory, hundreds of Army cadets swamped the field to celebrate the upset win over 25th-ranked Navy.

As CNN's Coy Wire interviewed Army Coach Jeff Monken, thrilled fans almost drowned them out with their celebratory yelling.

"What a feeling," Monken said. "I'm so proud of our guys. I'm so proud for this corps of cadets and for the United States Army.

"Everybody laying in a foxhole (or) chasing a bad guy right now, this one is for you." The enthusiastic celebration of a win over their service academy rival comes after a long, at times embarrassing wait. Ten of Army's 14 losses were by more than a touchdown. Army ran for three touchdowns this year, two by running back Andy Davidson. Quarterback Ahmad Bradshaw toughed out a 9-yard scoring run with six minutes to go to give the Black Knights the win. Eight Army players rushed the ball 70 times, totaling 314 yards. Army threw only four passes. Navy quarterback Zach Abey, in his first collegiate start, rallied his team from a 14-point halftime deficit, but the Midshipmen were doomed in part by five turnovers. Army also dominated possession -- keeping the ball for more than 40 minutes. Navy struggled in the first half, getting only one first down and being shut out on the scoreboard. Navy's consolation is it still leads the series, which began in 1890, with 60 wins in 117 games. President-elect Donald Trump watched the game along with former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and his pick for CIA director, Rep. Mike Pompeo, who graduated at the top of his West Point class in 1986. Later, the President-elect visited the CBS broadcast booth. "I just love the armed forces, love the folks, their spirit is so incredible," Trump told CBS. "I don't know if it's necessarily the best football but it's very good ... but boy do they have spirit, more than anybody. It's beautiful."</s>Navy quarterback Zach Abey, left, looks for a receiver as he is pressured by Army linebacker Alex Aukerman (21) in the first half of the Army-Navy NCAA college football game in Baltimore, Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016.

BALTIMORE — Army quarterback Ahmad Bradshaw scored on a nine-yard run as Army regained the lead over Navy, 21-14, with six minutes left in the fourth quarter at M&T Bank Stadium.

Quarterback Zach Abey's 41 yard run, his second touchdown of the game, had given Navy a 17-14 lead.

Army had a 14-0 lead and the first possession of the second half, but the Midshipmen capitalized on a turnover early in the third quarter. Junior quarterback Ahmad Bradshaw dropped the ball on a keeper around left end, and Navy senior safety Sean Williams pounced on the fumble at the Army 32-yard line. Six plays later, sophomore quarterback Zach Abey got Navy within a touchdown with a 1-yard keeper.

After an Army punt, Navy mounted another scoring drive capped by Bennett Moehring’s 28-yard field goal that cut the lead to 14-10 with 3:59 left in the quarter. The drive was kept alive when a replay review found an Army player was out of bounds when recovering a Navy fumble.

The Black Knights (6-5) dominated the Midshipmen in the first half. Army forced three turnovers, and sophomore fullback Andy Davidson scored on two 1-yard runs.

Army outgained Navy (9-3) 182-49 in the first half.

Davidson, who has scored multiple touchdowns in four games this season, capped drives of 14 and 11 plays, respectively. The Black Knights gained all of their first-half yardage on the ground.

Miscues hurt the Midshipmen throughout the first half. Army’s first score was set up when senior safety Xavier Moss forced Navy senior fullback Shawn White to fumble for the first time this season. The second TD followed a 15-yard punt from Navy’s Alex Barta on the third play of the second quarter.

Navy forced a Davidson fumble late in the first half, but Abey threw his second interception of the game on the next play.

Navy also turned the ball over on its second possession, when Abey, filling in for injured junior Will Worth, had his first pass attempt intercepted by Moss. Army couldn’t capitalize, as Navy’s Williams intercepted a pass from Bradshaw.</s>BALTIMORE – Army was watching a familiar story play out Saturday. Then it wrote a new ending.

The Black Knights, mired in a 14-game losing streak against Navy, rallied for a 21-17 victory in the 117th meeting between the teams Saturday before 71,600 at M&T Bank Stadium.

“Well what a game. It was a hard-fought game,” said Army coach Jeff Monken, a former Navy assistant who got his first victory over the Midshipmen in three tries. “I just couldn’t be more proud of the effort that they put forth out there.”

Army led 14-0 at halftime, but Navy clawed back in the third quarter and cut the lead to 14-10 heading into the final 15 minutes. The game was taking on a familiar feel of futility when sophomore quarterback Zach Abey twisted his way through the Black Knights’ defense for a 41-yard TD run and a 17-14 Midshipmen lead with 12 minutes, 42 seconds remaining.

“That’s a time where you can look around and maybe some teams would get that look in their eye like (they have) doubt or concern,” Monken said. “I think our guys just knuckled down and were determined to win.”

The Black Knights (8-5) answered the challenge. Army’s ensuing possession began with a 29-yard completion from junior quarterback Ahmad Bradshaw to senior wide receiver Edgar Poe. Army thought it had kept the drive alive with a shovel pass from Bradshaw to running back Joe Walker to convert on a third-and-seven at the Navy 24-yard line, but a review of the spot determined Walker was a yard shy. Sophomore fullback Andy Davidson rendered the spot moot by crashing through the line for a 7-yard gain on fourth-and-1. Three plays later, Bradshaw scored on a 9-yard run. Blake Wilson’s PAT kick made it 21-17 with six minutes left.

“I told the guys (before the final drive) to just be prepared; (Navy) may try to do something foolish to draw a flag,” Bradshaw said. “I told them to keep their composure and to protect the ball and focus on ourselves.”

The lead back in hand, the Black Knights defense sacked Abey on first down and forced a three-and-out with 4:07 left. Army received the punt and ran out the clock, effectively ending the game when Bradshaw converted a third-and-1 on a sneak with 1:49 left. After taking a knee three times, The Streak was over.

Abey was forced into the starting lineup when junior Will Worth suffered a foot injury in Navy’s loss to Temple in the American Athletic Conference championship game last weekend. The Midshipmen (9-3) also lost starting slotback Toneo Gulley in that game, but had no time to feel sorry for themselves with just a week to prepare for the annual showdown with Army.

“It is what it is. They weren’t going to postpone the game,” said Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo, who lost to Army for the first time after winning his first eight. “We knew coming into the conference if we played in the championship game we would have only a week to prepare. You don’t expect to get that many guys hurt. It is football. We’re not going to use that as an excuse. They outplayed us. Just tip your hat to them.”

Navy will face Louisiana Tech in the Armed Forces Bowl on Dec. 23, while Army heads to a meeting with North Texas in the Heart of Dallas Bowl on Dec. 27. It will be the Black Knights’ first bowl game since 2010.

Army outgained Navy 351 yards to 201. Both teams were hurt by turnovers. Abey threw two interceptions and Bradshaw had one pass picked off. Army lost three fumbles, including one by Bradshaw that allowed Navy to gain momentum coming out of the break.

Army led 14-0 at halftime, but Navy got two scores in the third quarter to cut the lead to 14-10. Bradshaw dropped the ball on a keeper on the first possession of the second half, and Navy safety Sean Williams pounced on the fumble at the Army 32-yard line. Six plays later, Abey got Navy within a touchdown with a 1-yard keeper.

Williams, who led the Midshipmen with 14 tackles, had an interception and two fumble recoveries.

After an Army punt, Navy mounted another scoring drive capped by Bennett Moehring’s 28-yard field goal that cut the lead to 14-10 with 3:59 left in the third quarter. The drive was kept alive when a replay review found an Army player was out of bounds when recovering a Navy fumble.

The Black Knights dominated the Midshipmen in the first half. Army forced three turnovers, and Davidson scored on two 1-yard runs.
In the Army–Navy Game in Baltimore, the Army Black Knights beat the Navy Midshipmen 21–17. This marks Army's first win in the rivalry since 2001, ending the longest winning streak for either side in the rivalry's 126-year history.