Army stops late comeback to win third-straight game over Navy

·College football and motorsports writer

8 December 2018 at 6:25 pm

Army’s Kelvin Hopkins Jr. drops back during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Navy, Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Army has won 10 games for the third time in school history. Its 10th win of 2018 came via a third-straight win over Navy.

The Black Knights survived Navy’s late bid to steal the game in the fourth quarter to win 17-7. Navy pulled within 10-7 halfway through the fourth quarter but a key defensive stand by Army and a fumble recovery on fourth down with three minutes left pretty much sealed the win.

The fumble, forced on a strip sack by linebacker Kenneth Brinson, was Navy QB Zach Abey’s third turnover of the game. Abey had to enter the game for the play because QB Garret Lewis went down after taking a hard hit on a trick play and was forced by rule to leave the game. Abey finished 0-of-5 passing with two interceptions and ended up with no rushing yards.

The victory was officially sealed when QB Kelvin Hopkins snuck into the end zone with 1:28 left to restore the two-possession lead. Navy kicked a field goal with 30 seconds left but didn’t recover the ensuing onside kick.

Army dominated the first half and led just 7-0 at halftime thanks to a touchdown drive on its first possession. Navy’s offense averaged fewer than two yards a play in the first 30 minutes.

The game featured an 8-minute replay review

The Midshipmen’s comeback began after a ridiculous sequence early in the fourth quarter. Hopkins appeared to get a first down on a 4th down run but the spot was reviewed. The chains had already reset for the upcoming first down, which apparently complicated the reviewal. The review took eight minutes for the ACC officiating crew to complete. When it was finally over, the ball was moved back and Navy took over.

Navy didn’t score after getting the ball back thanks to a fumble inside the red zone. But the drive flipped the field enough as Navy forced a punt from Army and then scored following the punt.

Army has won 10 games in 2018, 2017 and 1996

The win means Army (10-2) has won three-straight over Navy for the first time since the 1990s. The 10-win season is also the second-straight. Army finished 10-3 in 2017, its first 10-win season since 1996.

The Black Knights will face Houston in the Armed Forces Bowl on Dec. 22. Navy (3-10) is not heading to a bowl game. Army also wins the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy again as it beat both Navy and Air Force in 2018.

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Nick Bromberg is a writer for Yahoo Sports.

Follow @NickBromberg on Twitter