Cadets storm the field as Army West Point defeats rival Navy in thrilling 20-17 double overtime win

The Army goes rolling along! The Corps of Cadets storm the field as Army defeats rival Navy, 20-17, in double-overtime thriller

West Point kicker Quinn Maretzki knocked through the game-winning 39-yard field goal and the cadets came running onto the field as Army defeated Navy in a historic edition of their rivalry. 

For the first time in the 123 game history of one of college football’s most historic rivalries, Army-Navy went to overtime. 

It was in double OT that the kick went through after Navy turned the ball over on the one-yard line when they had possession.

Army cadets rejoiced after their comrades on the gridiron downed Navy in double overtime

Coach Jeff Monken (left) has now won his fifth Army-Navy game since he took charge in 2014

Coach Jeff Monken (left) has now won his fifth Army-Navy game since he took charge in 2014

In a game that traditionally features very few yards and even less passing, this game did not buck that trend. Navy finished the night with 284 yards, besting Army’s 153. 

Both of those teams had less than 30 yards passing, but they both ended the day with at least two touchdowns to their name.

Army struck first when they blocked a punt off the foot of Navy’s Riley Riethman and returned it all the way for a touchdown.

Navy hit back in the third quarter with an amazing 77-yard touchdown run by RB Anton Hall Jr. to go ahead 10-7. Army knocked through a field goal late in the fourth quarter to tie it up 10-10. 

Freshman Jabril Williams landed on a blocked punt that resulted in Army's first TD of the day

Freshman Jabril Williams landed on a blocked punt that resulted in Army’s first TD of the day

Anton Hall Jr. answered back in the third quarter with a touchdown of his own to take the lead

Anton Hall Jr. answered back in the third quarter with a touchdown of his own to take the lead

That led to a contentious overtime between these two storied rivals – the first one in the history of this fixture that was first played in 1890 and has been held every year since 1930.

On the first play, RB Markel Johnson took the handoff 25-yards to the house to draw first blood.

The very next play, Navy returned the favor as QB Xavier Arline completed his first attempted pass of the night to Maquel Haywood in the end zone.

After the win, the Cadets took the field to have the honor of singing their alma mater second

After the win, the Cadets took the field to have the honor of singing their alma mater second

With Air Force in the possession of the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy, Army still took a prize

With Air Force in the possession of the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy, Army still took a prize

Navy took the ball first in double overtime and ran seven plays before Hall fumbled on the one yard line, turning the ball over.

Army then ran three plays before sending kicker Quinn Maretzki out to knock through the 39-yard field goal to win it for West Point.

With this victory, Army has won five of their last seven games against the Midshipmen – something they hadn’t done since 1998.  

source: dailymail.co.uk