Introduction

There is no game in college football quite like the Army Navy Game 2025. Not the playoff. Not any bowl game. Not a conference championship. Nothing else comes close to the raw emotion, patriotism, and pure football drama that this rivalry delivers every single December.

On December 13, 2025, over 70,000 fans packed M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland to watch the 126th edition of what many rightly call America’s Game. The Army Navy Game 2025 did not disappoint. It gave every fan exactly what they came for: a gut-wrenching, one-point finish that came down to a single fourth-down touchdown pass with just over six minutes left on the clock.

In this article, you will get the full story. You will learn the final score, the key moments, the standout players, the history behind this incredible rivalry, and why the Army Navy Game 2025 will be remembered as one of the best editions in recent years.

Army Navy Game 2025: The Final Score

Navy won the Army Navy Game 2025 by a score of 17 to 16.

It was a painful, one-point loss for Army. The Black Knights held a lead for most of the game. They were up 16 to 7 heading into the fourth quarter. Navy rallied in the final minutes, and a dramatic fourth-down touchdown pass sealed the victory for the Midshipmen.

Here is a quick score summary:

• Navy Midshipmen: 17
• Army Black Knights: 16
• Date: December 13, 2025
• Venue: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland
• Kickoff: 3:00 PM ET
• Broadcast: CBS and Paramount+
• Attendance: 70,936

A Game That Had Everything

The Opening Drives Set the Tone

Both teams came out ready to play. Navy struck first. The teams traded touchdown drives to start the game, each lasting 13 plays, 75 yards, and over seven minutes. Navy quarterback Blake Horvath punched in a five-yard rushing touchdown on the opening drive. Army answered immediately. One play into the second quarter, Army QB Cale Hellums scored from two yards out to tie it at 7-7.

That opening exchange told you everything. This was going to be a physical, grinding, possession-heavy football game. And it was.

Army Took Control in the Second Quarter

Army did not let Navy settle in. The Black Knights took a 13-7 lead into halftime after Army was able to turn a fumble from Horvath into a 45-yard field goal from Dawson Jones as time expired. That was a big swing. Horvath put the ball on the ground at his own 45 with just 20 seconds left in the half. Army’s special teams came through when it mattered most.

The Black Knights pushed it further in the third quarter. Horvath was intercepted in the third, giving Army the ball at the Navy 30, but the Black Knights had to settle for three, with Dawson connecting on a career-long 48-yard kick. Army led 16 to 7 with one quarter to play.

At that point, many fans thought Army had this one locked up. They did not.

The Dramatic Fourth Quarter Comeback

Navy was not done. Not even close. Navy rallied from a 16-7 second-half deficit to beat Army 17-16 on Saturday for its second consecutive win in the rivalry game.

The key drive was everything. On second down from the 1, the ball came loose when the Midshipmen attempted a tush push, but Heidenreich fell on the ball back at the 8. After an incompletion, Navy decided to go for it on fourth down, and Horvath found his top receiving threat over the middle in the end zone.

That play, Blake Horvath connecting with Eli Heidenreich on a fourth-and-goal from the eight-yard line with 6:32 remaining, was the Army Navy Game 2025 in a single moment. Navy took the lead at 17 to 16 and never gave it back.

Army had a chance. They drove the ball. But the offense went three and out. Navy then survived a controversial fumble call on Horvath in the final two minutes. The officials ruled he was down before the ball came loose. Army recovered on the field, but the replay overturned it. Navy ran out the clock. Game over.

Key Players from the Army Navy Game 2025

Blake Horvath (Navy QB)

Blake Horvath was the story of the Army Navy Game 2025. He made mistakes. He fumbled twice and threw an interception. But he came through when it counted most.

Horvath finished 7-of-14 passing for 82 yards with a touchdown and an interception and ran for 107 yards and a first-quarter touchdown on 34 carries. That is a remarkable performance considering the turnovers. He willed Navy to victory.

Horvath entered the game as one of the most dynamic players in college football. He had 23 total touchdowns and 2,400 total yards and was the lone Football Bowl Subdivision quarterback with over 1,000 rushing yards this season. His dual-threat ability kept Army’s defense guessing all game long.

Cale Hellums (Army QB)

Cale Hellums played his heart out for Army. Hellums was 5-of-10 passing for 82 yards with an interception while running for 100 yards and a score on 25 carries. It was the sixth game this season he ran for at least 100 yards in a game.

He kept Army competitive. His 16th rushing touchdown of the season in the first quarter tied the game and gave the Black Knights early momentum. In a different game, Hellums wins. The Army Navy Game 2025 was that close.

Eli Heidenreich (Navy WR)

Eli Heidenreich caught the most important pass of the entire season. His eight-yard touchdown catch on fourth and goal with 6:32 left was the play that decided the Army Navy Game 2025. He also finished as Navy’s top receiver with 72 yards on the day.

Dawson Jones (Army K)

Jones was outstanding. He converted a 45-yard field goal before halftime to extend Army’s lead. He also nailed a career-long 48-yarder in the third quarter. He gave Army every opportunity to win. The offense just could not close it out.

The Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy

The Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy was the other major prize on the line. The winner of the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy would be determined on Saturday, December 13, when Army and Navy renew their storied rivalry on CBS. Both teams beat Air Force this season to set up a winner-take-all showdown.

The win for the Midshipmen helped them retain the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy. It was the 18th overall time that Navy has won the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy since the award was created in 1972.

Navy’s victory also made history. The victory capped off a historic stretch for Navy, which reached 10 wins in consecutive seasons for the first time in program history while also claiming the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy in back-to-back years.

The History Behind This Remarkable Rivalry

You cannot fully appreciate the Army Navy Game 2025 without understanding the history behind it. This is not just a football game. This is a tradition that has been running for over 130 years.

The first Army Navy game was played in 1890. Since then, it has grown into one of the most celebrated events in all of American sports. The game has been nationally televised each year since 1945 on either ABC, CBS, or NBC. CBS has televised the game since 1996 and has the rights to the broadcast through 2028.

Instant replay made its American debut in the 1963 Army-Navy game. That is a piece of football history most people do not know.

Navy leads the all-time series 63-55-7, including a record 14-game winning streak from 2002 to 2015. Army fought back hard in recent years, but Navy has now won back-to-back editions in 2024 and 2025.

Eight of the past 11 games have been decided by just one score. That is why you watch. That is why millions of Americans tune in every December. You know it is going to be close.

The Uniforms: 250 Years of Service and Sacrifice

One of the most fun traditions of the Army Navy game is the special uniforms both teams unveil each year. The 2025 edition had a powerful theme: 250 Years of Service and Sacrifice.

Army’s Uniform

Army commemorated the 250th anniversary of the Army’s existence by wearing special uniforms that included purple streaking through the numbers and helmet. The uniform’s marble tint was designed to symbolize the enduring foundation of strength that the American people have provided for the Army. The helmets featured the year 1775 spelled out on the back.

Navy’s Uniform

Navy’s uniform was inspired by the USS Constitution, which is the only remaining frigate from the Navy’s original fleet. The vessel known as Old Ironsides was once used as floating classroom space in the 19th century. The design tied the game directly to 250 years of naval heritage.

Both uniforms were stunning. Both told a story far bigger than football.

The Atmosphere at M&T Bank Stadium

Baltimore showed up for the Army Navy Game 2025 in a major way. Attendance was 70,936 fans at M&T Bank Stadium. The weather was cold and sunny, with temperatures around 44 degrees and a light northeast breeze.

This is the fifth time M&T Bank Stadium has hosted the game, all since 2000. The most recent time came in 2016 when Army beat Navy 21-17.

President Donald Trump attended the game for the second consecutive year. He walked onto the field before kickoff and engaged with the crowd. The pregame March On by both academies, the flyover, and the traditional singing of the alma maters after the final whistle all made for a complete experience that goes well beyond the final score.

What Comes Next for Both Teams

The season does not end with the Army Navy Game 2025 for either program. Both teams earned bowl bids.

Navy in the Liberty Bowl

Navy (10-2) will take on Cincinnati in the Autozone Liberty Bowl on January 2. The Midshipmen come in red hot. They have now won three straight bowl games and their second consecutive Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy. This is a program on the rise.

Army in the Fenway Bowl

Army (6-6) will face UConn in the Wasabi Fenway Bowl on December 27. The Black Knights have been steady in bowl play and will look to end their season on a winning note despite the heartbreak in Baltimore.

Why the Army Navy Game 2025 Stands Out in History

People debate the greatest Army Navy games all the time. The 2025 edition earns a place in that conversation for several reasons.

First, the stakes were enormous. Both teams beat Air Force, making it a straight winner-take-all game for the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy.

Second, the game featured two quarterbacks over 100 rushing yards each. That is incredibly rare and speaks to the unique style of football both academies play.

Third, the winning play was dramatic beyond words. A fourth-and-goal from eight yards out with 6:32 left, Navy down by six, and Horvath finding Heidenreich over the middle. That is the kind of moment people talk about for decades.

Fourth, the game ended with a controversial replay review that flipped the result of a fumble in Army’s favor, only for the rulebook to determine Horvath was down. Army fans will debate that call for years. That kind of controversy burns a game into the memory of sports fans everywhere.

The Army Navy game 2025 was not perfect football. It was messy, physical, and full of turnovers. But it was absolutely riveting from start to finish. That is exactly what this rivalry has always delivered.

Why This Game Matters Beyond Football

You might be a hardcore college football fan. You might only tune in for this game once a year. Either way, the Army Navy Game 2025 carries a weight that no other rivalry can replicate.

Every player on that field is a future officer in the United States military. They are not playing for an NFL draft slot. They are not chasing NIL money. They are playing for each other, for their academies, and for a tradition that means something real.

The seniors on both teams will deploy. They will lead people. They will make decisions under pressure. That context turns a football game into something that hits you differently. When you watch these athletes fight for every yard in cold December weather in Baltimore, you are watching future leaders of the American military push themselves to the absolute limit.

That is why the Army Navy game has captured the attention of sitting U.S. presidents for generations. It has been frequently attended by sitting U.S. presidents. That tradition continued in 2025 with President Trump in attendance.

Conclusion

The Army Navy Game 2025 delivered everything you could want from America’s most beloved rivalry. A tight, physical contest. Dual rushing quarterbacks. Turnovers. A dramatic come-from-behind touchdown. A controversial replay call. And a one-point final score that left Army fans devastated and Navy fans celebrating a historic back-to-back Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy win.

Navy wins 17 to 16. The Midshipmen finish 10 and 2. Army heads to the Fenway Bowl at 6 and 6 with a lot to build on.

If you watched the Army Navy Game 2025, you already know how special it was. If you missed it, now you have the full story.

Did the right team win? Or do you think Army got robbed by that replay call in the final minutes? Leave your thoughts. Share this with a fan who will appreciate it. And mark your calendar, because the 127th edition of this rivalry will be here before you know it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the final score of the Army Navy Game 2025? Navy defeated Army 17-16 in the 126th Army-Navy Game played on December 13, 2025 at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland.

Where was the Army Navy Game 2025 played? The game was played at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, home of the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens.

Who won the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy in 2025? Navy won the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy for the second consecutive year after both Army and Navy defeated Air Force earlier in the season, making the Army-Navy matchup a winner-take-all contest.

Who were the key players in the Army Navy Game 2025? Navy quarterback Blake Horvath rushed for 107 yards and threw the game-winning touchdown to Eli Heidenreich. Army quarterback Cale Hellums rushed for 100 yards and a score. Army kicker Dawson Jones hit field goals of 45 and 48 yards.

What time did the Army Navy Game 2025 kick off? The game kicked off at 3:00 PM Eastern Time and was broadcast on CBS and Paramount+.

How many times has the Army-Navy Game been played? The 2025 edition was the 126th playing of the Army-Navy Game. The series dates back to 1890.

Who leads the all-time Army-Navy series? Navy leads the all-time series with a record of 63-55-7 entering the 2025 game. After their 2025 win, Navy extended the series lead further.

Did President Trump attend the Army Navy Game 2025? Yes. President Donald Trump attended the game for the second consecutive year and walked onto the field before kickoff at M&T Bank Stadium.

What bowl games did Army and Navy play in after the 2025 Army-Navy Game? Navy played Cincinnati in the Autozone Liberty Bowl on January 2. Army faced UConn in the Wasabi Fenway Bowl on December 27.

What was the uniform theme for the Army Navy Game 2025? Both teams honored the 250th anniversary of the United States military. Army wore uniforms with a marble tint and the year 1775 on the back of the helmet. Navy’s uniforms were inspired by the USS Constitution, the oldest commissioned warship still afloat.

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About the Author

James Harlow is a college football writer and sports journalist with over a decade of experience covering rivalries, bowl games, and the traditions that make American football unique. He has written for multiple national sports publications and brings a genuine passion for the human stories behind the game. When he is not watching film or breaking down box scores, he enjoys coaching youth football and spending time outdoors.