Feature Friday: One For The Ages

Feature Friday highlights the tremendous personal stories our coaches and cadet-athletes have to share on a weekly basis. Each Friday, a new feature story will be prominently highlighted on GoArmyWestPoint.com. The features will include multi-media pieces, as well as written stories by media outlets and the Army West Point athletic communications staff.

There are significant moments in our lives that leave lasting impressions.

Experiences that make you take a step back and embrace all of its glory.

For Army West Point football fans, December 10th was one of those moments.

For the last 15 years the Black Knights watched their arch-rival Navy steal win after win out from underneath their grasp.

Nothing is more painful in sports than watching you nemesis flaunt a victory in front of your face. And to have to relive it not once, not twice, but 14 times in a row.

For three hours last Saturday, Army was flooded by emotion, pride and desire and it all came together in one shining moment as the clock finally hit 00:00 at 6:15 p.m. -- the streak was finally over, forever.

With 15 years' worth of cadet agony weighted on their shoulders, the pain of losing one of their own brothers, and the desire to say enough is enough, the Black Knights finally prevailed 21-17 in a historic night.

From that point on, a new streak began…

In The Blink Of An Eye

Walking hand-in-hand, Bryce Holland and Jordan Smith united with season captains Andrew King and Jeremy Timpf for the game's annual coin toss at center field of M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Md.

In between the yells and cheers from the 71,600 fans in attendance, Army won the toss and elected to defer. The Black Knights would kick off to the Midshipmen to begin the 117th all-time meeting between the two adversaries.

After picking up the game's opening first down, sophomore Zach Abey rushed for four yards taking the ball into Army territory. But as quickly as the Mids created positive momentum during their first sequence of plays, the energy rapidly shifted to the designated 'home' team. Defensive back Xavier Moss eyed up Shawn White in the backfield after an 11-yard gain, putting shoulder to body, forcing the senior to cough up the football. Fellow teammate Rhyan England dove on the loose ball before a pile of men fell on top of him.

Once the crowd of players was moved, the referees signaled – Army Football.

Army Assistant Football Coach/Fullbacks Mike Viti '08 – "I think it was really big. It turns the momentum right to our side. For how emotional that game is and how big momentum is in a game like that, it's especially important. It obviously set up the touchdown, but from what an Army-Navy game generally looks like, a turnover on the first drive sets the tone. I think from the Navy confidence side, any questions they had going into the game of whether they would struggle offensively were allowed to creep into their minds and played out throughout the game."

Army Defensive Coordinator Jay Bateman – "They (Navy) started off in a package we had never really seen from them before, so we were trying to figure it out on the fly. (Xavier) Moss came up and made a really physical football play, and we talk all the time about how the most physical team wins. That turnover did two things. One, it allowed us to come over to the sideline to talk about that package, and I think we did really well from that point on. And two, I think that with how critical turnovers were in the game, causing the turnover with a physical play was a huge momentum shift in the game."

Army Defensive Back Rhyan England '18 – "I kind of saw the hole open up and then saw him running. I thought I was going to have to track him down, but then I saw X (Xavier Moss) come over and make a great tackle and the ball came out. I think Kenneth Brinson tried to scoop the ball up, but then it went through his hands. I was actually getting ready because I thought he was going to pick it up and keep running. But then the ball fell on the ground. I just kind of dove on it and Andrew McLean covered me up so I felt safe. It was a great play all around."

Army Cadet Matthew "Babs" Babich '19 – "There were of course a lot of expectations going into the game that we'd win and everyone was certainly excited. I first realized that we could perhaps match our expectations and win the game after that play."

Army Defensive Back Xavier Moss '17 – "I saw the fullback come through pretty untouched and I was like 'Dang, I have to make a big tackle'. I went down and he had the ball kind of loose, and I just put my helmet in the right spot. Next thing I know, everyone is jumping on the ball, it was great."

Junior Quarterback Ahmad Bradshaw '18 – "I saw their fullback running up the middle. He got loose, and I thought he was gone, but then (Xavier) Moss came out of nowhere and made a good hit. I knew turnovers were going to be one of the biggest factors in the game, so I was just happy that it happened. We were excited. Our offense ran out on the field after that and we were ready play."

A Defense Locked In

After forcing a fumble, an interception and two punts on Navy's first four drives of the game, Army found itself with a 14-0 advantage with 5:01 remaining in the half.

Rookie Malik McGue received a fair catch on his own 14-yard line following a 47-yard punt from Alex Barta. The Black Knights worked the ball down to the Navy 42 highlighted by a 15-yard gain from first-year Kell Walker. That play marked Army's third first down of the drive.

On the ensuing play, however, Andy Davidson fumbled the exchange with quarterback Ahmad Bradshaw giving the Mids good field position at their own 42.

But the Army defense would not waiver as Jordan Smith hit Abey on Navy's first play following the turnover, forcing the sophomore to overthrow his intended target of Calvin Cass Jr. Playing a little behind the receiver was England, who made a great grab to collect the ball and scamper up the field three yards.

One play equaled Navy's third turnover of the game.

Bradshaw – "When you have a turnover, that's one of the let-downs in our offense. If anybody turns the ball over, we feel disappointed in ourselves. But we had faith that the defense would get the ball back. It was just an unbelievable feeling."

Army Cadet Tyler McKinney '17 – "Sometimes when something goes wrong on the field, it is easy to get down. The best thing about the Army-Navy game is that it is the easiest time for the Corps to bring the energy back. When the fumble happened, I remember looking to the kid next to me saying 'We need momentum.' And so I had that sign for Brandon (Jackson) that said 'Scared Money Don't Make No Money' and at that point I was just thinking to myself 'Brandon, here you are, the boys need you.' I was getting one of the rabble rousers (cheerleaders) attention and they grabbed my sign and did a cheer with it. The Corps just starting cheering BRANDON and I thought that it was going to be okay, we have this. Immediately after, the momentum came back. They had intercepted the ball. The Corps never gave up just like the players never gave up when it would be easy for them to. That is the best thing about the Army-Navy game."

Monken – "We had the ball on their side of the 50 and we're hoping to get it down there and get one more score, at least a field goal, to stretch the lead. It was an option play. I am just not sure Andy (Davidson) ever had it, but it was one of those plays that the strike on the ball carrier happened right after the mesh. It was a bang-bang play and we turned it over with a minute and 20 seconds left in the half, so they (Navy) were going to have to try and move it quickly 60 yards. I am sure they felt a sense of urgency to try and get seven points.

"They ran a sprint out pass and it is just a smash combination of a pivot out by the number one and a corner route by the number two receiver. We didn't really have anyone underneath on the two receiver, and he hooked it up and the quarterback just sailed the ball over. We had a little pressure on him. (Jordan) Smith was rushing from the edge and forced the quarterback back underneath and he just sailed the ball. It was a big play to get that thing back and to not allow them to get any points. It was a big play in the game for sure."

Babich – "Momentum bounced between both sides throughout the game. Army being able to win in that swing of momentum, I believe, had a major impact on the remainder of the game. The team did not relent after momentum shifted against them. The game was filled with turnovers, but the fact that we were able to overcome our struggles with turnovers best exhibited the determination of the team."

Army Offensive Coordinator Brent Davis – "We were relieved more than anything. We had wasted an opportunity, and, in a game like that, it's going to be a short game and you want to take advantage of every possession that you have. That was huge for us to get it right back after we made an error."

Viti – "I think in both cases, you saw times during the game where the offense stepped up when it needed to, and the defense had the offense's back when we got in to a bit of a turnover spree. We had that turnover right before the half and they tried to take a shot with that play after forcing a turnover and we just shut them right down."

Bateman – "We actually played a coverage we hadn't practiced or done anything with since the Morgan State game. They were giving us a lot more of a conventional looking offense than we had prepared for. We told our defense on the sideline, 'Hey, if we get this, be ready for us to go to this.' I was waiting to see the formation, and we got it. I think Jaylon McClinton did a great job selling the look of a different coverage and Rhyan (England) did a good job of being in the right spot.

"It was pretty cool to see our kids, especially with the two younger cornerbacks, be able to run this formation which we haven't run in a month. Momentum wise, I think it was huge because they had some momentum after getting the ball back around midfield so to come back and get a pick on the first play was huge."

Have The Tides Turned – Again?

Army took its 14-0 lead into the break. It was the first time since 2009 the Black Knights had managed to shut out the Mids in the opening half of play. It also marked the first time in the series Army led by 14 points or more at the break since 1947.

Unfortunately, that advantage quickly dwindled after Navy struck for 17 unanswered points. The Mids' first points of the game came after Bradshaw fumbled on Army's opening possession of the second half. That turnover put the Mids in good field position at Army's 32-yard line. Six plays later Navy was in the back of the end zone.

After a 3-and-out from the Black Knights, Navy again cut into the edge following Bennett Moehring's 28-yard field goal. His boot made it a 14-10 ballgame with 3:59 left to play in the third.

The score remained the same until the 12:42 mark of the final frame. The Mids started their first drive of the period at their own 47-yard line after a short 25-yard punt from the Black Knights. On the first play of the series, Abey connected with Jamir Tillman for a 12-yard pickup taking Navy into Army territory. On the ensuing play, Abey broke multiple tackles before scampering into the end zone on a 41-yard run. That score put the Mids in front for the first time in the contest at 17-14.

Bateman – "It was very similar to the first touchdown Keenan Reynolds scored on us last year. It was the same play against a very similar coverage. If you watch the play, Elijah Riley absolutely destroys the pitch. If Andrew King and Rhyan England don't overrun the quarterback thinking he's going to kick it, that's probably a turnover for us. That's kind of how the game works. Two veteran guys who I trust and are good players for us didn't take good angles on the ball and they cut it back on us."

Moss – "They ran a good play and we just messed it up. We weren't really worried because we knew we had a good game plan. It was a great play by them, but we knew what we had to do to stop them the next time."

Davis – "It looked like he just made a great play. You've got to give him credit for that. Offensively for us, it was just a matter of settling down and making first downs. I think we turned the ball over three out of the last four drives at that point. We had already talked about the play we wanted to run when we got the ball back. We were going to run it whether or not they scored. It didn't have any effect on that decision."

Babich – "At the time, I had to admit that I was worried that we were heading towards the end of the game without the lead. I did, however, have faith in our offense's control of possession throughout the game and hoped for another long, hard-fought drive to take the lead once again. I was not disappointed. The Corps kept its faith in the team to execute and rooted for the offense as it drove down the field."

Viti – "I think it was the exact personality of our team. Unless you've seen it throughout the season, at practices and the offseason, that might have been a moment that makes you say 'here we go again', and certainly for a lot of people I'm sure they probably felt that way. But within the team we just kept talking about the second half. Any negative possession we had was self-inflicted. It wasn't anything they had done miraculously to change the game, we just hadn't executed. It was kind of an air of calmness in that all we had to do is execute and we'll be fine. That was comforting. It wasn't a reeling moment or a panic, it was a clear understanding of where the game was at and how we had put ourselves in that position. It wasn't what Navy had done, but what we had allowed them to do."

England – "I was a little frustrated after that play because I overran it. I kind of felt like it was my fault that they scored the touchdown. I'll take responsibly for it because I know I probably should have slowed down on the play. I was a little mad at myself, but I had confidence in our offense because they were moving the ball all night."

McKinney – "The players were playing for something greater than themselves. Before the whole team came out of the tunnel, Coach (Jeff) Monken came out and was pointing to the crowd. We held that sign for Brandon up and he pointed. You just saw the biggest smile on his face. I was like this is our key tool to win this game. When we did get down, we knew we had to keep cheering. It didn't matter if the people behind us were cheering or not, we knew that we had to keep going ourselves. Energy is so contagious. It was the football team plus the Corps."

Don't Give Up, Don't Ever Give Up!

Could this be another year where Navy stuns Army in dramatic fashion? Where Navy pulls out the come-from-behind win to make it 15-straight over its bitter rival.

A rivalry that is built on an annual battle between the football teams representing the Corps of Cadets and the Brigade of Midshipmen. Two groups of individuals who will eventually all be fighting for the same cause once their four years at the academies have concluded.

"But it is not this day. This day we fight!"

And fight is exactly what the Black Knights did. Head coach Jeff Monken collected his team immediately after Navy had pulled ahead to remind them what they're playing for – The Brotherhood.

On the first play of Army's next drive, Bradshaw teamed up with Edgar Poe for a 29-yard gain to get the comeback started.

A few yards here and a few yards there, including a conversion on 4th-and-1 at Navy's 18, the Black Knights had slowly picked up three first downs and worked their way to the Mids' 9-yard line.

The chains showed 2nd-and-8 for Army. 2 and 8. Two numbers that have been more symbolic to this Army football team than any other this season. The remembrance of a fallen brother, who was taken too soon. Sophomore defensive back Brandon Jackson, who passed away in a one-car accident back on Sept. 11. Though he was not there in person, Jackson's presence was felt throughout the entire game, more importantly during that next play when he helped Bradshaw break three tackles to power himself into the end zone, handing Army back its edge at 21-17.

Babich – "Pandemonium ensued after scoring that last touchdown. That play was certainly an enormous momentum swing. The offense was able to keep its composure, continue to ground and pound the ball down the field and score the touchdown it deserved. I believed at that point [could be wrong with the timing here] Coach Monken ran down to the end zone and pumped up the Corps. It really exhibited the fact that we were all going to win the game together – as one team, one school, and one Corps. It was also at that point that we all realized this year could finally be our year."

Bradshaw – "Don't flinch. That's number five on our plan. I saw the offensive line do a great job of blocking up front and securing the edge for me to get around. Really, anybody could've ran the ball in running behind the guys who were blocking for me. It was an unbelievable feeling."

Monken – "Ahmad (Bradshaw) just muscled that thing in. He got hit at about the 3-yard line and kind of bounced through those guys and ended up on his back in the end zone. It was a really, really, determined drive and I think it epitomized the attitude of our team during the day, just the determination to win."

McKinney – "The touchdown and the conversion of the first down, it felt like my heart was in my stomach. It is really hard to explain because it has been 14 years and it didn't matter because Bradshaw went out there and he competed. I think he solidified not being scared of running the ball when, as an athlete and the odds are against you, you tend to think about the negatives...he didn't. Just like on the first-down conversion, they gained more than a yard. They weren't scared. That was awesome because they faced the odds, competed and got the job done.

"The energy was unreal. I have never been a part of something so energetic."

England – "Ahmad Bradshaw made a lot of great plays and great reads and when he went into the end zone at that point I knew we were going to win the game because I knew our defense was going to stop them."

Moss – "As soon as we went back to the sideline after giving up the touchdown, we knew the offense was going to step up. They came over to us and said, "We got you guys." That was motivating in itself to know we had their backs and they were going to have ours."

Bateman – "It was awesome. I felt, as I'm sure the kids felt, like we had let the other guys down, so it was great to see them pick us up. It was such a well-executed drive. From converting the fourth down to the big throw to Edgar Poe. What a great job Ahmad (Bradshaw) did of running the offense on that drive. I think our kids knew that we were going to go back out and stop them and get the ball back one way or another, but that drive certainly gave us a lot of energy. It was a huge drive. Probably the biggest drive of the season."

The Streak Is Over

After Army's go ahead touchdown, Navy received the ball back with exactly six minutes remaining on the clock.

Following Mitchell Howard's 50-yard kickoff and a 19-yard return from Dishan Romine, the Mids took over the ball at their own 34-yard line.

On the first play of their drive, Abey was sacked for a six-yard loss by Timpf and Alex Aukerman. Over the next two plays the Mids gained only 12 of the needed 16 yards for a first down. Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo opted to punt on 4th-and-4 on their own 40-yard line.

Navy never saw the ball again.

Starting on its own 23 with 4:07 left to play, Army got a quick first down following Tyler Campbell's 11-yard run. But the Black Knights would still need one more first down to really seal their first victory over Navy since 2001. Two plays later, Army was faced with 3rd-and-1. Bradshaw was again the man for the job, muscling his way through defenders for the needed yardage in order to lead his team into "victory formation."

With thousands of fans screaming, the Black Knights took three knees before the clock finally hit 00:00.

Then – pandemonium ensued.

Monken – "I don't know if I could tell you what was going on. I was just ecstatic for our team and just thrilled for our players. They poured everything they had into the game. I am thrilled for our seniors to have struggled through three years of having to suffer through losses, including two close ones. Particularly last year when we were right there beating on the door with a chance to win. I am just excited for those guys, and there is a great sense of pride being part of the team that ended that streak that everybody was so frustrated over and we have heard so much about."

Moss – "We knew we had to step up. We went out there and made a big stop. I think it was a three-and-out. They (Navy) punted the ball, and that was all she wrote. When the clock hit zero we were all sprinting onto the field and were so excited. It was crazy; the crowd was crazy too."

Babich – "I have to be honest, I was in great disbelief when the guys lined up in the victory formation. I wasn't paying attention much to the clock but when they got that final first down, a wave of excitement poured over everyone. I've watched the Army-Navy game from as early as I could remember, experienced the heartbreak of the 2012 fumble, and truly was enthralled that we'd finally done it. Since I was in the third row, everyone was stacking behind me preparing to storm the field.

"I have over the years of course via television witnessed other fans celebrating monumental victories by storming on the field, but it was truly incredible to me that I would finally be able to do it with my team and my fellow cadets. It was the proudest moment I've ever had spectating for a favorite team of mine."

Bateman – "I'm always one of those guys who makes sure the clock gets to zero so when he took the snap and I realized he had the ball and it was over, I was just so happy for our players. Especially for our older kids on defense who have weathered the storm and made themselves into good players.

"I was trying to find Andrew King, Jeremy Timpf, Jordan Smith and Xavier Moss. I mean, when we drove over on the bus, I didn't think he (Moss) was going to play. I thought there was no way he was going to play, and then he goes out there and plays every play in the game and causes a fumble and an interception. I was just trying to find the older kids. Then, by that time, there was so many people I was just trying to get back to the locker room."

Davis – "I was just so proud of our guys and so happy for them with everything they've endured throughout the season, how they've stuck with us the last three seasons, and the grit that they have shown. I just thought about that and felt happy for them. I was crying."

McKinney – "I was in awe. I turned to the kid next to me and said we're going to win! Then I remember a police officer coming over to us "DO NOT TAKE DOWN MY GOAL POST, BUT YOU CAN STORM THE FIELD!" We were going to storm the field regardless, but I knew that if I didn't jump off early on I would be trampled. I already had my feet over and as soon as the clock hit zero, I airborned it down to the ground and just kept running. I got to the nearest football players and was hitting them on their jerseys. It was awesome. When the Navy alma mater came on, everyone stopped.

"Then it was time for our alma mater and there is no greater feeling than being on the field with the players. It was like the Corps was whole again. There were no more odds. Singing the alma mater always gives me goosebumps, but it started bringing tears to my eyes. I was so proud. Proud of my classmates that were firsties. We have been together since the prep school and I remember just seeing them and giving them the biggest hugs. Storming the field was by far one of the greatest moments of my life."

England – "I was trying to find X (Xavier Moss) but I couldn't find him. He was a little too fast for me so he took off. But then I got tackled to the ground by a couple of cadets. From that point on I don't know where anybody went honestly, I couldn't recognize anybody."

Bradshaw – "The first person I saw was the ref and I gave him the ball. I didn't want to do anything that could possibly be a penalty. I didn't want to do anything that could give Navy the ball back so I just gave the ball to the ref and ran towards the cadets. I saw a bunch of cadets jumping over the bleachers and running towards me. I don't even know who the first person I saw was, I just remember a guy grabbing and hugging me. Then another kid came over and asked to take a selfie with me."

Viti – "I was just kind of taken back at how much it meant to so many people. I think your thoughts are what they are, it's not like you're always sharing them with people, and you certainly don't know what every single grad's thoughts are. But to watch how important it was to every person and to see the tears and the emotions in the stands, that was the one thing that really struck me.

"On a personal level, it justifies what we've been doing and what we've been preaching. It was a relief and a sense of feeling for our guys in the game. We obviously don't talk about the streak in regards to it being on the freshmen who were playing in their first Army-Navy game, but you could definitely see it in guys like Andy Davidson and their reactions. They felt that pressure, and I think that's pretty unique. The streak started 15 years ago, which, for some of these guys they were three. I saw that weight lifted off of them which was very telling of how much of a demon that was for us."

Looking Back

The scene last Saturday night was one many will never forget.

It ended over 15 years of football misery.

But it was well worth the wait.

Monken – "I think before the game when our guys were in the tunnel, I felt an energy in our team, a determination. There were 110 guys standing there that were not going to be denied. I just felt like that from the very start. That our guys were going to find a way to win, and I don't think at any point I doubted that we would find a way, I just thought our guys were ready. They had a mindset to battle the whole day through.

"I think I will remember that confidence that they had before the game. That they were not going to back down. We played a really good team. A very well coached team that I knew would be ready. I knew our guys were confident and ready to go though.

"(Xavier) Moss… shoot I thought we were going to have to cut his leg off on Wednesday when he got hurt in practice. Then he goes in there and causes two turnovers, gets an interception and knocks a ball loose. He made some big plays for us.

"Playing through adversity. We had two calls overturned on replays with neither of them going our way. Both were in our favor and then both went against us, but we overcame it.

"I will never forget that celebration. I think every Cadet in the Corps was on that field by the end of the game. All 4,400. It was a sea of gray.

"And finally, being in the locker room after the game and being able to share that moment with Brandon's (Jackson) mom. The love that a mother has for her child and for her to be able to come in and share a victory with us. The courage to stand up and talk about Brandon and congratulate our team was very moving for all of us. I don't think I will ever forget that. I will never forget the whole day. The feeling of getting that thing done after so many years, it's a great feeling."

Bradshaw – "Taking that last knee. Finally knowing that we had secured the win. There were a bunch of good plays that happened throughout the game that allowed us to get the victory, but when I took that last knee, I knew that the game was over with and the streak was done."

Babich – "My most memorable moment had to be standing on the field and watching the pandemonium ensue around me. I hadn't witnessed Army ever beat Navy in my life (I mean at least as far as I can remember). Yet there I was, as a cadet celebrating a defeat of Navy on the 50-yard line. It was surreal to take a step back, look at the crowd, and fully comprehend that we'd finally won. A few guys and I had a sign that stated 'The Streak Ends Today' so we certainly got a lot of love waving that around. The day will certainly go on to be one of my most memorable as a cadet here."

Bateman – "Brandon Jackson's mom talking to the guys in the locker room was one of the things I'll remember most. I know how great our kids are, but to see how much they love her, how much we love Brandon and to be able to have her with us in the locker room after the win was the most powerful moment for me."

Davis – "I didn't make it to the locker room to see Brandon's mom. I was stuck out on the field. But seeing the Corps of Cadets rush the field and watching that from up above and trying to get down there and get in the mix of it. Just seeing the excitement on people's faces. The most memorable part was watching our guys celebrate in the locker room for sure, when I finally made it back there."

Viti – "After the game in the tunnel, seeing the amount of former players there and sharing the moment with them was special. And then throughout the entire night and into Sunday just seeing the amount of people who truly felt a part of it. It wasn't that their team won, but that they felt like they were part of the win, which in my eyes is pretty special.

"Literally, fans and grads in tears. How much it was a shared victory and not just the football team's victory that was really memorable."

Click here to view previous Feature Friday stories.
Click here to view more photos from Army's epic night.

Army West Point Athletics

Feature Friday: One For The Ages

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Players Mentioned

Alex Aukerman

Ahmad Bradshaw

Kenneth Brinson

Tyler Campbell

Andy Davidson

Rhyan England

Bryce Holland

Mitchell Howard

Brandon Jackson

Andrew King

Jaylon McClinton

Malik McGue

Andrew McLean

Xavier Moss

Edgar Poe

Elijah Riley

Jordan Smith

Jeremy Timpf

Kell Walker

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