Sixty minutes weren’t sufficient to settle issues between Army and Navy this yr.
The two rivals lastly wanted time beyond regulation to find out who would sing second.
For the primary time in historical past, the annual conflict between Army and Navy couldn’t be settled in regulation. The two groups had performed to seven ties over the course of their storied rivalry, however for the reason that NCAA instituted time beyond regulation in 1996, the groups had not wanted time beyond regulation to find out a winner.
The 123rd assembly, nevertheless, could be completely different. A area purpose from Army kicker Quinn Maretzki with simply 1:35 left within the fourth quarter tied the sport at ten. Navy couldn’t get something happening their ensuing possession, and the groups headed to time beyond regulation with the sport nonetheless knotted at ten.
The captains met at midfield for the time beyond regulation coin toss, and Navy gained the toss, electing to begin on protection. That meant Army would run the primary time beyond regulation play within the historical past of the storied rivalry.
It could be an enormous one:
Running again Markel Johnson knifed via the inside of the Navy protection, into the top zone to offer Army the lead. Maretzki transformed the additional level, to offer the Black Knights a seven-point lead.
Navy, nevertheless, instantly responded. The Midshipmen lastly accomplished a go, and it went for six:
Not solely was it the primary completion of the night from Navy, it was simply the fourth completion from quarterback Xavier Arline all season. He couldn’t have picked a greater time for it, as he connects with Maquel Haywood on the wheel route for the rating. Navy kicker Bijan Nichols transformed the PAT, and the sport was knotted at 17.
With each groups opening time beyond regulation with touchdowns, Navy started the subsequent time beyond regulation session on offense. A vital third-down run from Arline prolonged their drive, after which an enormous run from Anton Hall Jr. gave Navy a 1st and purpose from the Army 4-yard line.
An Arline keeper on first down picked up two yards, giving the Midshipmen a 2nd and purpose from the Black Knights’ 2-yard line. On second down, Arline was stopped for a brief loss, establishing a vital third and purpose.
Navy burned a timeout to speak concerning the large play, and Arline limped again to the sideline, battling a lower-body harm. But on this recreation, accidents are ignored, as a result of all that issues is discovering a technique to sing second when all is claimed and completed.
On third down, Arline handed off to Hall who plunged towards the top zone. But as he lunged ahead, the ball appeared to come out of his arms, making a pile of our bodies alongside the purpose line. Referees got here in and pulled aside the pile, and made the decision.
Army ball.
Sophomore linebacker Kalvyn Crummie managed to get a hand on the soccer, punching it free from Hall. Big nostril deal with Darius Richardson fought via the pile to recuperate the free soccer, delivering the turnover which may simply reside on in Army lore.
The play was reviewed, and confirmed. Army soccer, and the Black Knights simply wanted a area purpose to win the 123rd version of this rivalry.
Two quick Army runs arrange a third and eight from the Navy 23-yard line. From that spot, it could be a 40-yard area purpose from Maretzki. Quarterback Cade Ballard saved it himself to heart the soccer on a brief run, however a flag flew.
Personal fouls on each groups for a scuffle. The play stood, and it was fourth down.
Bring on Maretzki to try to win it from 39-yards out.
Army would sing second:
Maretzki transformed, pushing it simply inside the precise upright. The area purpose touched off a large celebration at Lincoln Financial Field on the Army sideline, and heartbreak on the Navy aspect of the sector.
It was then time for the alma mater from each groups. Navy, as is custom, sang first. Followed by Army, because the group joined the lengthy gray line to sing as victors in time beyond regulation for the primary time within the historical past of the rivalry.