Army-Navy Game 2011: Midshipmen Rule, But Army Fights to the End

Playing in a new venue in Maryland, the president was on hand to see Navy win its 10th straight in the historical series, as the Midshipmen rushed for 296 yards and took advantage of three Army turnovers to win 27-21. But the game was closer than many expected, as Navy had to kick two fourth-quarter field goals to hold off the scrappy Black Knights.

The Midshipmen, finished the year at 5-7, got touchdown runs from quarterback Kriss Proctor and fullback Alexander Teich. It was the closest Army-Navy game in a decade. Teich, who won the Campbell Trophy signifying America's top scholar athlete, had touchdown 93 yards rushing on 18 carries. Procter had 97 yards on 32 carries in a game with little passing. It was mostly all running, and kicking for offense in the contest. Both teams run the triple option offense, and Navy did not attempt a single pass in the first half.

Army, which finished the season at 3-9, was ledy by Raymond Maples and Malcolm Brown, who each had 82 yards rushing. The Black Knights had 298 yards on the ground, but completed just four passes. The team finished the season with four consecutive losses, but was more than respectable against Navy with Obama on hand.

President Obama attended the game with Vice President Joe Biden and other top officials. The game is being played at FedEx Field. It's the 112th Army-Navy contest in the legendary series. It is the first time Obama has attended an Army-Navy game, and under clear skies and cool December temperatures, he received a loud applause when on the field for the coin toss, which Army won by calling tails. 

Though it is one of the most competitive games of the year, the fierce rivalry is also a magical national moment, where both sides of the armed forces come together in the competition. As the crowd of more than 80,000 looked on at the Washington Redskins stadium, the sides of both Army and Navy swayed together at halftime as Lee Greenwood perform his hit song God Bless the U.S.A.

Though Navy controlled much of the first half of the game, Army has stormed back, tying the score 14-14 at the half. President Barack Obama was on hand for the coin toss.

Navy scored first on a four-yard touchdown from Kriss Proctor with 1:06 remaining in the first quarter. The Midshipmen extended their lead to 14-0 with another touchdown on the ground midway through the second quarter as Alexander Teich ran the ball across the goal.

But though it appeared Navy would sail to another win by late in the first half Army had other ideas. The Black Knights scored with 3:34 remaining in the first half after quarterback Trent Steelman broke free on a 34-yard touchdown run. Gaining some momentum, Steelman and the Black Knights were done, either. Steelman led another Army scoring drive as the team went into a two-minute drill late in the half.

Malcom Brown scored on a five-yard run with just 0:49 seconds left in the half. After a successful extra point, the game was tied 14-14 at the half.

Teich got things started in the second half, however, returning the kickoff 47 yards into Army territory. Five plays later Proctor ran in for a score on a two-yard carry, giving the Midshipmen a 21-14 lead after the extra point. Army kept in the game, tying it 21-all with a rare touchdown pass -- just their fifth of the season -- but the Black Knights wouldn't score again as Navy added two field goals.

Army had one last chance late in the game, driving to Navy's 25, and a touchdown would have likely won it, but they were stopped on a fourth-and-seven play for a one-yard loss, all but ending the game for Navy's 10th straight win in the series.