Foxborough, MA- On a crisp New England afternoon, upon a freshly shaved field at Gillette Stadium, America will once again be treated to the best rivalry in college football: Army v. Navy.
The longstanding football rivalry between the Naval Academy Midshipmen and the West Point Black Knights spans over 130 years, and tomorrow, the Black Knights of Army will face off against the Midshipmen of Navy for the 124th time. This legendary rivalry is older than any living American, past or present; has been in existence longer than the “assembly line” and was initially played when people were tailgating by horse & carriage.
It has also been marked by a tradition of playful rivalries, pranks, and in recent times, creative spirit videos. These videos range from simple chants like “Go Army, Beat Navy” to more complex cinematic creations. A notable example featured a Navy video from 1997, humorously reenacting the iconic “Titanic” door scene, but with a twist where that let its viewer know who to cheer for.
The ceremonial Army-Navy “Game Ball Run” commenced on Tuesday, traveling from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland and concluding Saturday morning at Gillette Stadium. This journey covers more than 450 miles, a significant undertaking as described by Navy broadcaster Pete Medhurst.
“You’ve got youngsters at the Navy Academy, they are going to have an amazing story to share with family and friends 10, 15, 20 years from now. But that’s what this game does. This game brings out all of those special things along the way, and so many cadets from West Point or midshipmen from Annapolis get to participate; get to have just a small part in all of this.”
-Navy Broadcaster Pete Medhurst
For the first time ever, the game will be taking place at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts – the game is normally played in Philly at Lincoln Financial Stadium aka “The Linc”.
Philadelphia has been synonymous with the Army-Navy rivalry due to its frequent hosting of the event. However, the 2023 game is one of the rare instances where it’s held outside the mid-Atlantic region. Previously, the game was played in Chicago in 1926 and Pasadena, California, in 1983.
The rivalry’s venue history is diverse, with Philadelphia hosting 90 games, followed by New York (15), Maryland (10), New Jersey (6), and one each in Illinois and California.
The Army-Navy game was chosen in this specific location as a special tribute to the 250th anniversary of the historic Boston Tea Party, and the initial skirmishes between the Continental Army & United States Militia and the British Redcoats at Lexington and Concord. The battle marked the initial shots fired in the Revolutionary War, as this novel setting will mark the initial game for the storied rivalry.
Future games are already scheduled for different locations as well: the 2024 game will be held in Washington, D.C., the 2025 game is planned for Baltimore, and in 2026, the rivalry moves to New Jersey. The game is expected to make its return to Philadelphia in 2027.
Key aspects to watch in the 124th Army-Navy Game:
Sports pundits anticipate a tightly contested match between the two “run-option” offenses. Over their past nine games, the average margin of defeat is 7.6 points.
Both teams enter the game with 5-6 records. Army is on a winning streak, having recovered from a slow start to the season, while Navy is looking to bounce back from a recent heavy loss. This game holds particular significance for Army, as a win could secure them the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy. Competed for by Army, Navy, & Air Force, the trophy goes to the football team who beats both their military rivals in a single season.
Key players to watch include Army quarterback Bryson Daily and Navy’s Pittsburgh natives Alex Tecza and Eli Heidenreich, who have the potential to be decisive in the game’s outcome.
Navy currently leads the all-time series with 62 wins, 54 losses, and 7 ties. Their most significant victory was a 51-0 triumph in Philadelphia in 1973. Last year, Army secured a 20-17 victory in the first-ever overtime game between the academies.
In games played in Philadelphia, the Midshipmen hold a winning record over the Black Knights. However, in New York, Army has the upper hand with a 7-3-1 record against Navy.
