Annual showdown comes down to execution over emotion

Navy coach Brian Newberry will be participating in his sixth Army-Navy Game this Saturday. He was introduced to the rivalry in 2019 when serving as defensive coordinator for the Midshipmen and has learned one important element of the historic rivalry: Execution trumps emotion.

“Both of these teams are going to play extremely hard and with great toughness intensity. It’s going to come down to the team that plays with the best fundamentals and best technique,” Newberry said. “In a game like this we talk about breathe, focus and explode one play at a time. This game always comes down to execution and making fewer mistakes.”

Hostilities will be renewed in the 125th Army-Navy Game, set for 3 p.m. Saturday at Northwest Stadium in Landover. For the first time since 2017, the winner will take home the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy as both Army and Navy beat Air Force this season.

The Black Knights are currently in possession of the trophy, while the Midshipmen have not seen it since 2019.

Army (10-1) was ranked 22nd in the College Football Playoff rankings after capturing the American Athletic Conference championship Friday night. Army completely dismantled Tulane. Quarterback Bryson Daily was named Most Valuable Player after rushing for 126 yards and four touchdowns. Fullback Kanye Udoh led the Black Knights with 158 rushing yards, breaking loose for a 72-yard run that set up a score.

It was the continuation of an outstanding season for Daily, the American Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year, who has rushed for 1,480 yards and a nation-leading 29 touchdowns. He has run for 100 yards or more in 10 straight games and scored multiple rushing touchdowns in nine consecutive contests.

Newberry said it’s impossible not to be impressed with Daily, a 220-pound senior whose hard-nosed running style defines Army.

“Just a really good player — tough kid, smart and a great leader. The kid’s a stud and everything goes through him with the offense,” Newberry said. “I’ve been really impressed watching him week to week. What they put on his shoulders is pretty significant.”

Daily has noticeably improved as a passer this season, completing almost 58% of attempts for 877 yards and eight touchdowns. Army leads the nation in rushing with an average of 314.4 yards per game and that sets up the play-action passing game.

“I think what Daily’s doing better this season is the ability to throw the football effectively,” Newberry said. “They don’t get behind the sticks very often, but when they have he’s been able to get them back on track. He’s converted some second- and third-and-longs with his arm.”

Udoh has rushed for 1,064 yards and 10 touchdowns, while slotback Noah Short has averaged 8.2 yards per carry in amassing 533. Newberry said stopping Daily was the No. 1 priority, but said he was far from a one-man show.

“They’ve got some really talented skill position players around him,” Newberry said. “I think the offensive line is probably as good as we’ve seen all season. It’s a very tough, physical offense and we’ve got a great challenge ahead of us, there’s no doubt about that.”

Center Brady Small and guard Bill Katsigiannis, both of whom were named first team All-AAC, anchor an Army offensive line that has been absolutely mauling opponents. Three other members of the unit — tackles Connor Finucane and Lucas Scott along with guard Paolo Gennarali — were second team all-conference picks.

Navy defensive coordinator P.J. Volker said the Army offensive line combines size and strength with impeccable execution and technique.

“They play well together and are a very synchronized group. They take care of the first and second levels really, really well,” Volker said. “They do a good job on combo blocks and pulling on gap schemes. I think they are a very well-coached, physical bunch. They’re big guys that move well.”

It will be the stiffest test of the season for the Navy defensive front, anchored by nose guard Landon Robinson and end Justin Reed up front along with inside linebackers Colin Ramos and Kyle Jacob on the second level.

Ramos, who leads Navy in total tackles (110) and tackles for loss (8), was named first team All-AAC. Robinson and safety Rayuan Lane were also first team picks, while Reed and cornerback Dashaun Peele were second team selections.

Jacob (84) is Navy’s second-leading tackler and also has three interceptions, while Lane is third with 61 tackles to go along with four pass breakups and two pickoffs.

Peele leads the Mids in interceptions (4) and pass breakups (5), while Reed tops the team in sacks (5).

Newberry and offensive coordinator Drew Cronic both said last week they expect season-long starting quarterback Blake Horvath to be available against Army. Horvath left the Tulane game on Nov. 16 in the first quarter after aggravating a rib injury, then sat out the East Carolina contest.

Backup Braxton Woodson started in place of Horvath and directed five touchdown drives in the second half as the Midshipmen beat the Pirates, 34-20.

“I fully expect Blake to play against Army. He’s making progress and feeling better,” Newberry said. “It’s kind of day to day as far as what we’re asking him to do in practice. I’m hoping he’ll be 100% healthy.”

Horvath has been the offensive catalyst for Navy, which is averaging 32.3 points (No. 37 nationally) and 375.5 total yards. He leads the Mids in rushing with 895 yards and 13 touchdowns, while completing 58% of passes for 1,154 yards and 11 scores.

Cronic will be closely evaluating Horvath in practice this week to make sure he’s sharp after a layoff of more than a month. Newberry acknowledged the rib injury affected Horvath’s passing, which was not as accurate in his last three outings.

“I want to see Blake practice at a high level. That’s pretty important. I want to see that he feels good and can execute,” Cronic said.

Fullback Alex Tecza and snipe Eli Heidenreich have combined for nearly 1,700 yards from scrimmage and 17 touchdowns. Heidenreich leads Navy in receiving with 597 yards and five touchdowns on 36 catches, while Tecza is the team’s second-leading rusher with 501 yards and seven scores.

Navy ranks eighth in the Football Bowl Subdivision in rushing average (247.4 yards) and will slug it out against a tough, physical Army defense that does not give up much on the ground. Inside linebackers Andon Thomas (88 tackles) and Kalib Fortner (66) along with safety Max DiDomenico (52) spearhead a unit that ranks eighth nationally in rushing defense with 104 yards allowed per game.

Have a news tip? Contact Bill Wagner at [e-mail], 443-534-0102 and x.com/@BWagner_CapGaz.