Army-Navy 2025 Preview: The Game Heads to Baltimore

Since 1890, the United States Army and Naval academies have played on the gridiron. It’s one of the oldest rivalries in college football, and there’s little game bigger than the Army-Navy matchup on the second Saturday of December. At stake is the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy, and bragging rights amongst the military academies. Army will look to avenge their loss from last year, while Navy will opt to defend their title. The 2025 rendition of the Army-Navy game will take place at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, for the first time since 2016, where the Black Knights won a 21-17 contest.

2025 Army-Navy Game Preview

Matchup History

Over the extensive history of the Army and Navy game, the Midshipmen hold a slight advantage over the Black Knights.

In a series that started back in 1890, Navy holds a 63-55-7 record over Army. The teams have split the last four games. Army won the matchups in 2022 and 2023, while Navy won in 2021 and in last year’s matchup. Taking place in Landover, Maryland, the Midshipmen prevailed over a ranked Army squad by a score of 31-13. Blake Horvath entered takeover mode in this game, notching 102 passing yards, 212 rushing yards, and four total touchdowns.

Key Players for Army

It’s been hard for Army to replace the production of Bryson Daily. However, if they wish to win this game, quarterback Cale Hellums needs to perform well. That doesn’t mean Hellums needs to light up the stat sheet. Moreso, the signal-caller needs to be efficient on the rare times Army will choose to pass the ball. It also means he needs to be effective as a runner, too.

Helping Hellums is another key player, slot back Noah Short. In a lot of ways, Short mirrors Navy standout Eli Heidenreich. He’s effective as a runner, averaging 6.2 yards per carry with 22 missed tackled forced. He’s also an underrated receiver, with good route-running and a toughness that can’t be questioned. Short lines up all over the field (and will even throw passes), and doesn’t have an issue making contested catches. Against a good Navy defense, a strong performance from Short could go a long way for the Black Knights.

The final key player for Army in this matchup is linebacker Andon Thomas. With Navy running a similar option scheme on offense, Thomas will be a priority for the Black Knights’ defense. He has to make sure his unit maintains gap containment, not allowing Navy’s rushing attack to push for yards after contact. He also needs to be sound from a play recognition standpoint. Navy likes to take advantage in certain looks, meaning Thomas will have to diagnose and differentiate rapidly in order not to give up big plays. It’s a tough task for the linebacker, but if Army wants to win, Thomas needs to have a big game.

Key Players for Navy

In this game, there are a wide range of players that will need to contribute for Navy to win this game. Yet the key players worth highlighting are Blake Horvath, Eli Heidenreich, Landon Robinson, and MarcAnthony Parker.

Offensively, the Midshipmen go where Horvath goes this season. A lethal runner within Navy’s offensive scheme, the quarterback moves with both power and speed. He understands how to attack defenses, making the right read that puts his offense in the best possible position. As a passer, Horvath can be inconsistent at times, but has the capability to hit big plays at will. He can throw with touch and accuracy to most areas of the field, keeping the whole playbook open for Navy.

A large part of that passing success is Heidenreich, who leads Navy in receiving with 804 yards and four touchdowns. The offensive weapon for the Midshipmen makes every play possible for his team. Whether it is contested catches, plays after the catch, or simply great route running, Heidenreich has been a problem for every team he has faced this year. Add in dynamic rushing ability on an every-play basis, and Navy has its perfect complement to Horvath. If Navy has both players rolling on Saturday, the Midshipmen will have a great day on the gridiron.

Defensively, Navy will need to stop the run. As a result, Robinson and Parker are the two key players that Navy will rely on against Army.

Robinson, one of the best defensive linemen in the country once again in 2025, has been a force in multiple ways for Navy. In 11 games, the defensive lineman has 30 pressures, eight sacks, 29 tackles, and 30 defensive stops. He does not miss tackles, causes havoc in every single way, and has taken another step forward from his 2024 play. Robinson is going to bring his A-game, and Navy will be the beneficiary of it.

Parker, a linebacker, is the only player with more defensive stops than Robinson. Notching 31 through 11 games, Parker also has two sacks and 66 total tackles. He has not been good in coverage this year, but has been a force flying downhill in the run game. Working off the successes of Robinson on Saturday, Parker should have a chance to find plenty of success against a run-heavy Army offense.

Keys to Victory: Army

If Army wants to take home the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy, these will be key to their victory.

Control the Possessions

On offense, Army needs to play their game. The offense must grind out yardage, keep the chains moving, and take care of the football. They’ve had the ability to put together 7-minute drives in the past. Doing so in this matchup will limit the possessions for Navy’s explosive offense.

Defensively, they must force Navy into errors. Whether it’s through creating turnovers or forcing punts, the Black Knights have to keep the Midshipmen out of the endzone, and limit big plays and possessions. Navy can score fast – stopping them will be key.

Play Clean

On paper, Navy has the better roster at this time. After all, Army did lose four starters through the transfer portal (including their starting running back), and Bryson Daily. Winning this contest will mean the Black Knights have to play clean football on offense. Turnovers can’t happen because of how dangerous Navy’s offense can be. Limiting offensive turnovers will massively help Army in this game.

Be Army Strong

There’s more than one way to “beat” a team, and Army’s grit could massively help them in this contest.

Navy has the fifth-worst tackling grade in college football. The Black Knights have to be able to grind through contact on offense and keep the chains moving. If they’re able to make the first man miss (or run through them), they could eventually see the front seven of the Midshipmen start to break down. Once that happens, it opens up opportunity down the field.

Keys to Victory: Navy

For the Naval Academy to emerge victorious once again, they need to achieve these keys.

Dictate the Terms of Engagement

Navy has been at its worst this season when they cannot control the game. This showed up in spades against both Temple and North Texas. When they can assert their plan on a game, Navy can force opponents to play catch-up, as they did against USF. Facing an Army team that they are objectively more talented than, Navy has to bring the game to the Black Knights. They cannot sit on their heels early in the game. Rather, they must make sure to score early and force Army to get outside their comfort zone.

Stay Focused

At times this season, Navy has fallen victim to bad penalties. They must avoid that on Saturday. In a game between two service academies, the one with the fewest mistakes will have the best shot to win. Navy has to make sure they are on the right end of that equation.

Play your Game

There is a reason Navy has nine wins this season and just missed their chance to contend for a conference title. They have an extremely dynamic offense and a defense that can be opportunistic when necessary. The Midshipmen, to win this game, cannot get caught up in the unique atmosphere that is Army-Navy. Rather, they need to ensure that they play according to their style , and if they do that, the Midshipmen should have a lot of success on Saturday.