Army Football: 3 takeaways from shutout win over Navy

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Dec 12, 2020; West Point, New York, USA; Army Black Knights quarterback Tyhier Tyler (2) is tackled by Navy Midshipmen linebacker Mitchell West (6) during the first half of the Army-Navy game at Michie Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports /

2. This was a close game until Navy miscues put game out of reach

In a game this close, one or two plays can make all of the difference. This was a low scoring game that did not have a touchdown until the fourth quarter. There were 12 first downs between the two teams. The Navy had an opportunity to score in the 3rd quarter but was rebuffed by a goal-line stand.

Despite that, the Mids were still in the game in the fourth quarter. In the fourth quarter, the Army botched an option pitch, but the Navy could not recover. That would have given the Midshipmen the ball deep in Army territory. Instead, the Black Knights kept the ball and punted to turn the field.

With the game still up for grabs, it was the Mids who botched an option pitch. The Army recovered, and Tyhier Tyler scored the go-ahead 4-yard touchdown. Down 10-0, the Midshipmen had yet another miscue when a double-pitch play ended in a safety for the Black Knights. Even down 12-0, the Midshipmen still had an opportunity to get back in the game.

The Naval Academy had an opportunity to stall an Army drive midway in the fourth quarter when they were hit with a face mask penalty. The result of that kept the drive alive for Army, and the Black Knights kicked a field goal that put the game out of reach for the Naval Academy. In a game that was clean for three quarters, it fell apart for the Navy late.

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