In a game defined by pride and precision, Army came up one play short.
Jeff Monken struggles to put words to Army’s heartbreaking loss to Navy originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Jeff Monken paused more than once Saturday night, searching for language that could match the weight of what had just happened.
Army had fought Navy for four quarters. It had led late. It had chances. And yet, when the clock hit zero, the Black Knights walked off the field with a 17–16 loss that will linger far beyond December.
“It’s a little difficult to put into words, the pain of that loss,” Monken said during his postgame press conference. “I felt terrible for our team, our players, our seniors. Such a hard-fought game by both teams.”
Army moved the ball effectively in the first half, but settled for a critical short field goal inside the five yard line. Monken said afterward the missed opportunity loomed large.
“In this game, we talked about it, about the importance of getting seven points and not settling for three. Just disappointing.”
The second half told a different story. Army’s offense stalled, struggling to sustain blocks and generate rhythm. A critical interception turned into Navy’s final touchdown, a sequence Monken said changed everything.
“He (Cale Hellums) really needed to just step up in the pocket and throw it to Brady (Anderson),” Monken said. “He was open. And he just, for whatever reason, got antsy.”
Despite the offensive struggles, Army’s defense delivered one of its strongest performances of the season, holding Navy to 17 points and creating pressure throughout the night.
“I felt like they played well, played hard, gave us a chance to win,” Monken said.
The loss cut deeper because of what the game represents.
“It’s a 365-day-a-year rivalry, and it all culminates on one day,” Monken said. “You just give it everything you’ve got.”
Army did. It just did not make enough plays.
And that, Monken admitted quietly, is the part that hurts the most.
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