PHILADELPHIA — Navy’s decade of dominance over Army was 14 yards away from sinking.
Then the Black Knights botched a handoff with an overdue victory in sight and the Midshipmen pounced on the fumbled ball.
Tight games or blowouts, Navy has made a habit of beating Army. Keenan Reynolds helped Navy top Army for the 11th straight time, scoring the winning touchdown late in the fourth quarter in a 17-13 victory in the 113th rivalry game Saturday.
The Midshipmen can hook an anchor to the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy and bring it to Annapolis.
“It means everything,” Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo said. “That’s our No. 1 goal, to get the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy. I’m just so happy for these guys.”
Navy (8-4) and won the CIC trophy awarded to the team with the best record in games among the three service academies. Army and Navy each beat Air Force, putting the prestigious trophy up for grabs in the regular-season finale for the first time since 2005.
Army (2-10) hasn’t hoisted the CIC trophy since 1996.
Unlike previous games over the last decade, the Black Knights were in this one until their final 70-yard drive. Army had driven to the 14 when QB Trent Steelman and fullback Larry Dixon fumbled on a sloppy exchange. Navy recovered and the Midshipmen on the sideline went wild and rushed the field.
“We expected to win from the beginning to the end,” Army coach Rich Ellerson said.