Army vs. Navy 2024: Rivalry, Records, and Presidential Attendance

14 Dec 2024

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Army-Navy Game/ Bryson Daily/ Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy/ Donald Trump/ college football rivalry/ service academy football/ WASHINGTON/ Newslooks/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The 125th Army-Navy Game, a cherished college football rivalry, kicks off Saturday in Landover, Maryland. Army seeks its 12th win of the season, while Navy looks to reclaim the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy. President-elect Donald Trump and other notable figures will attend, adding to the game’s storied tradition.

Army linebacker Jimmy Ciarlo holds the Secretary’s Trophy after a 17-11 win over Navy in 2023.

What to Watch in the Army-Navy Game: Quick Looks

Historic Rivalry: Army (11-1) faces Navy (8-3) in a game steeped in tradition and military pride.
Key Players: Army quarterback Bryson Daily leads the nation in rushing touchdowns, while Navy counters with quarterback Blake Horvath.
Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy: Both teams defeated Air Force, making this game the decider for the coveted trophy.
Presidential Presence: President-elect Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance will attend, alongside key military and political figures.
How to Watch: The game starts at 3 p.m. ET, airing on CBS and streaming via Paramount+.

Army vs. Navy 2024: Rivalry, Records, and Presidential Attendance

Deep Look

A Rivalry Rooted in Respect and Tradition

The Army-Navy Game is more than just football—it’s a celebration of tradition, service, and rivalry. Kicking off Saturday at 3 p.m. ET in Northwest Field, Landover, Maryland, this year’s matchup pits Army’s powerhouse 11-1 team against an 8-3 Navy squad eager to reclaim glory.

Navy coach Brian Newberry calls the rivalry unmatched, saying, “This is a rivalry rooted in respect. It’s special because these young men are not just playing for a win; they’re preparing to lead our military.”

Army’s Dominant Ground Game

As always, the game will be won on the ground. Army’s triple-option offense, led by quarterback Bryson Daily, has been unstoppable this season. Daily’s 1,519 rushing yards and 29 rushing touchdowns lead the nation, powering Army to its first-ever conference championship.

Army averages 314 rushing yards per game—nearly 50 more than the second-place team—making it the top rushing team in college football.

“All that goes through my head is playing for the guy next to me,” Daily told CNN, emphasizing the team’s unbreakable camaraderie.

Navy’s defense, ranked 79th nationally, faces a tough challenge but has had two weeks to prepare.

“It’s a great challenge,” said Newberry. “Army’s offense is the most complete and talented we’ve seen in years.”

Navy Eyes Redemption and the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy

Navy enters Saturday’s game looking to snap a two-game losing streak in the rivalry and secure the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy for the first time since 2019. The trophy is awarded to the service academy with the best record in games against the other academies.

Senior fullback Daba Fofana said the game is personal. “This game means everything to me—winning the CIC trophy would be a lifetime achievement for my brothers and me.”

Historic Season for Army

Army is chasing its 12th win of the season, a feat never before achieved in the program’s history. With a conference title already in hand, a win Saturday would cement this season as one of the best in West Point’s 134-year football history.

The 19 combined wins between Army and Navy this season are the most ever in the rivalry’s 125-year history.

Presidential Attendance Adds Gravitas

President-elect Donald Trump will attend the game for the fifth time, continuing his tradition of honoring the service academies. Trump is expected to watch alongside Vice President-elect JD Vance, Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth, and other prominent figures.

Vance made headlines Friday by inviting Marine veteran Daniel Penny to join the suite. Penny, recently acquitted in the controversial subway chokehold case, has been embraced by conservative figures, including Vance and Trump.