Army beats Navy 21-17 to end 14-year losing streak in series

The typically efficient offensive attack hardly got on track on Saturday afternoon at M&T Bank Stadium, with Navy pinning its fortunes to a quarterback making the first start of his career. Zach Abey found himself in that uncomfortable circumstance because of injuries to both players who started the season in front of him, and the sophomore from the outset played as if overwhelmed.

By the time the final whistle sounded in a turnover-filled 21-17 loss, Abey had thrown two interceptions, both in the first half, and Navy’s 14-game winning streak over Army, a series record, was finished.

Abey finished with 73 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries and completed 6 of 10 passes for 89 yards against jubilant Army. He didn’t receive much help from his teammates either, as the Midshipmen amassed just 201 yards of total offense. Navy even tried an offensive tweak, using the read option instead, but it mattered little.

In front of an announced crowd of 71,600, Army scored the decisive points when quarterback Ahmad Bradshaw scored on a nine-yard run with six minutes left in the game, capping a 12-play drive that began at the Black Knights 20-yard line. The series included officials overturning a first-down pass on third and seven, leaving Army with fourth and one from the Midshipmen 18.

The Black Knights then got sophomore fullback Andy Davidson’s seven-yard run.

Army (7-5) amassed 351 yards of total offense, including 316 rushing, and finished with a 23-8 advantage in first downs. It also owned a considerable advantage in time of possession, 40:32 to 19:28.

Navy went three plays and punt on its ensuing possession, and the Black Knights ran out the final 4:07, triggering a celebration in which the entire corps of cadets spilled onto the field.

It marked the first time since 2014 that Navy (9-4) had dropped consecutive games. Last week the Midshipmen lost to Temple, 34-10, in the American Athletic Conference championship game at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.

In that game, quarterback Will Worth broke a bone in his right foot early in the second quarter, forcing him to the sideline for the rest of the season. The senior had rushed for 25 touchdowns to lead major college football after taking over for original starter Tago Smith, who tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in the opener.

The Midshipmen had overcome a two-touchdown deficit to take their first lead, 17-14, on Abey’s 41-yard run with 12:42 to go in the fourth quarter. Abey broke several tackles to get beyond the line of scrimmage and finally another that allowed him to dive across the goal line.

Abey delivered the Midshipmen their first points on a one-yard run with 11:23 left in the third quarter, trimming the margin to 14-7. Navy was able to keep the possession going when on third and five, Abey completed a short throw to Shawn White that the fullback turned into a 16-yard gain.

The Midshipmen got within 14-10 on Bennett Moerhing’s 28-yard field goal with 3:59 to go in the third quarter. The series included a fumble recovered by Army that wound up being overturned upon replay review, giving the Midshipmen possession at the Black Knights 11.

Until the Midshipmen rallied, they were completely stifled. Their 14-0 deficit was their largest at halftime against the the Black Knights since 1947.

A shanked punt that traveled 15 yards off the football of Navy’s Alex Barta gave the Black Knights possession at the Midshipmen’s 46 early in the second quarter. Eleven plays later, Army had a 14-0 lead courtesy of Davidson’s one-yard run with 7:12 to go until halftime. Davidson gained three yards on fourth and two moments earlier to extend the series.

Normally secure with the ball throughout the season, Navy committed a turnover on the opening possession of the game when White fumbled following a 14-yard gain. Black Knights defensive back Mike Reynolds stripped the ball as White was going to the ground, and defensive back Rhyan England recovered at the Army 36.

The Black Knights proceeded to move confidently down the field, capping a 15-play drive with Davidson’s one-yard plunge with 4:23 left in the first quarter. Army converted all three of its third-down attempts on the possession that lasted 7:39 and produced the only points of the first quarter.

The teams exchanged turnovers near the close of the quarter, with Abey throwing an interception and Bradshaw doing the same, both on underthrown balls. Abey’s pass was intended for Tillman, but safety Xavier Moss was able to reach up for the turnover as the ball was coming down. Williams soon after collected his first interception on a pass meant for wide receiver Edgar Poe.