Looking to bring an end to a painful 12-game losing streak to their rivals from Navy, Army nearly pulled off about a perfect first half as it could muster. But Keenan Reynolds and the Midshipmen had a late rally in them just before the half to tie things up 7-7.
Josh Jenkins blocked a a Navy punt deep in the Navy end, and Xavier Moss picked up the loose ball and returned it seven short yards for a quick score. It was the first time since 2009 Army had scored first in the Army Navy Game, and it was the first blocked punt returned for a touchdown against Navy since 2008 (Notre Dame). Navy’s ensuing possession was not much better, with a second straight three-and-out before getting a punt away.
It looked for a while as though Army was going to find a way to the half with the lead, but Reynolds completed a 39-yard pass to Jamir Tillman to move Navy’s offense into Army territory. A couple of plays later Navy entered the red zone. A nine-yard touchdown pass from Reynolds to Tillman with 18 seconds left in the first half tied things up, perhaps seizing the momentum for Navy n the process at the best possible time.
The touchdown pass from Reynolds was his 23rd career touchdown pass. That moved him into a tie for fourth place in Navy program history with Jim Kubiak.
Of course, the pregame fanfare and show of unified patriotism was put on display as well.Pregame card stunt at #ArmyNavyGame pic.twitter.com/BX2lx30HJq
— Kevin McGuire (@KevinOnCFB) December 13, 2014