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Three takeaways from the 122nd Army-Navy Game

By Dante Pryor

Sep 11, 2021; West Point, New York, USA; U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters perform a flyover before a game between the Army Black Knights and the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers before the first half at Michie Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2021; West Point, New York, USA; U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters perform a flyover before a game between the Army Black Knights and the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers before the first half at Michie Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports /
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Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /

Navy out Armied the Army

Though neither team ran the football well today, Navy’s run game was effective in the second half. Army-Navy is one of the few games where the time of possession matters and the Navy held the football most of the second half, limiting the Army’s possessions.

The Navy’s ability to run the football is a massive turnaround from the rest of their season. The Middies did finish seventh in the country in rush yards per game but averaged only 3.91 rush yards per attempt.

The Naval rush game was not explosive this afternoon either. However, when the Midshipmen needed a big run for a first down or a run on first down to stay ahead of the sticks, they got it. Quarterback Tai Lavatai made several big second-half runs, especially late in the fourth quarter.

Not only did Navy run the football and nurse their lead against the Army, but the Navy also stymied the Army rush game. The Midshipmen held the Black Knights to 57 second-half yards. Linebacker Diego Fagot ensured that his last game was his best with seven solo tackles and a key conversion on a fake punt.

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