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Army defeats Navy in first ever overtime 'America's Game' 20-17

IMG_6598by:Nick Kosko•12/10/22•

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(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

PHILADELPHIA, PA – It turned out to be a historic game between Army and Navy. In the first overtime game in the series’ history, Army (6-6) defeated Navy (4-8) 20-17 Saturday to take the latest edition of America’s Game. 

Army recovered a fumble in the second overtime to prevent Navy from taking a lead in the second extra frame. With the turnover, Jeff Monken and the Black Knights played for the 39-yard field goal by Quinn Maretzki to win an instant classic.

It was the fifth win in the last seven meetings for the Black Knights. The game was ultimately for pride since Air Force already claimed the Commander in Chief’s Trophy with wins over both squads.

How it happened: Army beats Navy 20-17:

Anton Hall Jr., who gashed Army’s defense earlier in the game, put the fumble on the turf for Navy, giving it back to the Black Knights in the second overtime. The Black Knights converted on the ensuing drive to win the game via walk-off field goal.

The first overtime started off with an Army touchdown on the first play from scrimmage. Markel Johnson broke free for 25 yards and a score, but Navy answered right back with Xavier Arline throwing to Maquel Haywood for a 25 pitch and catch. It was 17-17 going to the second overtime period. 

The fourth quarter was a repeated battle of defensive stops and hard hits. However, Army opened up the passing game and while it wasn’t as successful as the Black Knights would’ve liked, they drew enough pass interference penalties to move the ball.Quinn Maretzki nailed a 37-yard field goal to tie the game 10-10 with 1:53 left.

Anton Hall Jr. quieted the Army section of the stadium in the third quarter with a 77-yard touchdown run with just 4:09 to go in the frame, putting Navy up 10-7. It was the longest play from scrimmage for the Midshipmen in the history of the Army-Navy game.

The offense could not do much, but Army’s special teams unit came up big with just over a minute to go in the first half. Nathaniel Smith recovered a blocked punt in the end zone while keeping his right leg in bounds near the back of the end zone during the recovery for a touchdown and a 7-3 Army lead, which the Black Knights took into halftime.

Navy scored its only points of the first half with a Bijan Nicholls field goal from 44 yards out. The Midshipmen started the drive at the Army 35-yard line but managed to only move nine yards on the drive before settling for the points.

The first quarter ended with a defensive slugfest as both teams failed to find the end zone through the first 15 minutes. Army Defensive lineman Chris Frey had the biggest highlight when he dropped Navy quarterback Xavier Arline for a four-yard loss on a bone-crunching hit.

The 2022 edition of the Army-Navy game was the 123rd edition of the rivalry. Coming into Saturday’s contest, Navy led the all-time series 62-53-7. The official announced attendance at Lincoln Financial Field was 69,117.

After the game’s return to Philadelphia in 2022, the series will travel to different locations around the East Coast including Boston (2023), Washington D.C. (2024), Baltimore (2025), East Rutherford (2026) and back to Philadelphia (2027).