125th Army-Navy Game: Navy leads 21-10 after third quarter

The Navy quarterback leaps over the line of scrimmage and Army defenders to score a touchdown.

Navy quarterback Blake Horvath dives in for a first-quarter touchdown against Army on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, and Northwest Stadium in Landover, Md. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)

LANDOVER, Md. — Eli Heidenreich took a Blake Horvath pass 52 yards for a touchdown with 6:34 left in the third quarter to put Navy on top 21-10 on Saturday at Northwest Stadium.

Heidenreich took the short a pass, made an Army defender missed and then streaked down the sideline for the score.

The drive started after Navy’s Isaiah Bryant returned an Army kick to the Navy 42.

Army opened the half with a 39-yard field goal from Trey Gronotte to draw the Black Knights to within 14-10.

Army was at the Navy 14 when the quarter ended.

Army quarterback Bryson Daily fires a pass during the second quarter against Navy on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, and Northwest Stadium in Landover, Md. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)

Army’s Hayden Reed avoids a tackle and into the end zone.

Army scores on a 23-yard touchdown pass to Hayden Reed in the second quarter against Navy on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, and Northwest Stadium in Landover, Md. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)

Navy fans celebrate a second-quarter interception in Army territory. The Midshipmen capitalized with a touchdown three plays later. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)

Navy quarterback Blake Horvath runs out of bounds after a second-quarter gain against Army on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, and Northwest Stadium in Landover, Md. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)

Halftime: Navy 14, Army 7

Horvath threw a second-quarter touchdown pass, and the Midshipmen were in control 14-7 after the first half of the annual clash against Army on Saturday at Northwest Stadium.

Horvath hit a wide-open Brandon Chatman for an 18-yard touchdown with 11:30 left in the half. It was three-play, 44-yard scoring drive. The touchdown followed an interception by Dashaun Peele.

Horvath had rushed for a touchdown in the first quarter.

Army got on the board with 6:29 left in the first half with a 23-yard touchdown pass from Bryson Dailey to Hayden Reed. Army’s scoring drive was eight plays for 65 yards, including an 18-yard completion to Casey Reed on fourth-and-3 from the Navy 46.

Army will get the ball to start the second half.

First quarter: Navy leads 7-0

Horvath scored a touchdown from less than a yard out on Navy’s opening drive to give the Midshipmen an early 7-0 lead.

Horvath was forced out of the loss to Tulane on Nov. 16 because of a rib injury and back pain, and he sat out the victory against East Carolina on Nov. 30 because of injuries.

Army cadets from the stands watch the Navy midshipmen march onto the field.

Navy midshipmen enter the field as West Point cadets look on before the Army-Navy game, Dec. 14, 2024, in Landover, Md. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)

The Navy band plays as midshipmen enter the field before the Army Navy game, Dec. 14, 2024, in Landover, Md. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)

A Navy band member bangs on his bass drum with Navy and Bill the Goat printed on the drum.

The Navy band plays as midshipmen enter the field before the Army-Navy game, Dec. 14, 2024, in Landover, Md. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)

Navy fans, with midshipmen on the video screen behind them, cheer.

Navy fans wave and cheer as Navy midshipmen enter the field before the Army-Navy game, Dec. 14, 2024, in Landover, Md. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)

Cadets raise their hands in their during a cheer routine.

West Point cadets perform “The Rocket” cheer on the field before the Army-Navy game, Dec. 14, 2024, in Landover, Md. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)

Army helmets with “Rendezvous with Destiny printed on the back.

Army team football helmets on the sidelines stand ready before the Army-Navy game, Dec. 14, 2024, in Landover, Md. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)

Cadets march, shown from field level, march into the stadium.

West Point cadets march onto the field before the Army-Navy game, Dec. 14, 2024, in Landover, Md. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)

A soldier takes a selfie on the field with cadets in the background.

Lt. Col. Kristopher Perrin takes a selfie before the Army Navy game, Dec. 14, 2024, in Landover, Md. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)

West Point cadets stand at attention on the field before the Army Navy game, Dec. 14, 2024, in Landover, Md. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)

Cadets line up, seen through a yellow fence, before marching onto the field.

West Point cadets prepare to march onto the field before the Army Navy game, Dec. 14, 2024, in Landover, Md. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)

West Point cadets muster before the Army Navy game, Dec. 14, 2024, in Landover, Md. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)

Staff Sgt. Carl Stanley of the West Point band warms up his trumpet before the Army-Navy game, Dec. 14, 2024, in Landover, Md. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)

Fans do pullups during tailgate festivities before the game.

Gaines Casey, 15, performs nine pull-ups at a Navy booth before the Army Navy game, Dec. 14, 2024, in Landover, Md. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)

Northwest Stadium staff deliver football-themed balloons at the Army-Navy game, Dec. 14, 2024, in Landover, Md. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)

A football flies across the parking lot from thrower to receiver.

Josh Johnston, left, and Mason Derrick toss a football before the Army Navy game, Dec. 14, 2024, in Landover, Md. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)

A cadet sprints through the parking lot.

A West Point cadet runs toward a muster point before the Army-Navy game, Dec. 14, 2024, in Landover, Md. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)

Two fans drink booze poured down a sheet of ice. Luge shots.

James Bellucci, left, and Diego Huttepain, imbibe ice luge shots before at the Army Navy game, Dec. 14, 2024, in Landover, Md. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)

Tailgaters barbecue and celebrate before the Army Navy game, Dec. 14, 2024, in Landover, Md. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)

Joe Fleming

Joe Fleming is a digital editor and occasional reporter for Stars and Stripes. From cops and courts in Tennessee and Arkansas, to the Olympics in Beijing, Vancouver, London, Sochi, Rio and Pyeongchang, he has worked as a journalist for three decades.

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125th Army-Navy Game: Navy leads 21-10 after third quarter

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