Navy pulls off upset over Army with Trump, star-studded group in attendance

In a notable upset, the Navy Midshipmen defeated the Army Black Knights 31-13 on December 14, 2024, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland. This victory improved Navy's season record to 9-3 and secured the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy, having also triumphed over Air Force earlier in the year. Army, which had won six of the previous eight encounters, fell to 11-2.

The game commenced with Navy establishing a 14-0 lead, capitalizing on an early touchdown drive and an interception return for a score. Army narrowed the gap to 14-10 early in the second half, but Navy responded decisively. A pivotal moment occurred when Navy executed a successful fake punt, with nose tackle Landon Robinson rushing 29 yards for a first down. This play set up quarterback Blake Horvath's rushing touchdown, extending Navy's lead. Horvath delivered a standout performance, amassing 204 rushing yards on 25 carries, scoring two rushing touchdowns, and throwing for two additional scores on just nine pass attempts.

The event was attended by President-elect Donald Trump, marking his first appearance at the Army-Navy game since 2020. He was accompanied by a distinguished group, including Vice President-elect JD Vance, entrepreneur Elon Musk, Marine Corps veteran Daniel Penny—recently acquitted in a high-profile case—House Speaker Mike Johnson, former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, and Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth. Their presence underscored the game's significance as a national event beyond its athletic competition.

Both teams now turn their attention to upcoming bowl games. Navy is set to face Oklahoma in the Armed Forces Bowl, while Army awaits the announcement of its opponent for the Independence Bowl, following Marshall's withdrawal due to player departures.