Army vs. Navy Game score: Black Knights battle back to win first overtime game in teams' 123rd meeting

Army topped Navy in double overtime to win the heralded rivalry for the fifth time in seven meetings since 2016

Army beat Navy 20-17 on Saturday in a double-overtime thriller that saw the underdog Black Knights make numerous clutch plays in key situations. The 123rd edition of America's Game was the first in history to see play extend beyond regulation, and it made for a thrilling conclusion to the final regular-season game of the 2022 college football season.

Army kicked a field goal with less than 2 minutes in regulation to force overtime, scored a touchdown on its first play of the initial OT period and forced a fumble on Navy's second OT possession before kicking a field goal to win for the fifth time in the last seven editions of college football's longest-enduring rivalry.

This Army-Navy Game was one in which the Black Knights offense was stuck in the mud for most of the contest, while the Midshipmen found far more success on the ground. However, both teams created big plays when needed.

Given Army's struggling offense, it's a testament to its defense that this even reached overtime in the first place. In fact, Army's lone offensive touchdown didn't come until the first play of overtime when Markel Johnson went through the A-gap untouched and took off 25 yards to the end zone. Its lone touchdown in regulation was the result of a blocked punt was jumped on in the end zone.

Army finished with only 153 yards, which paled in comparison to the effort Navy put together. The Midshipmen rumbled for 284 yards and had the biggest offensive play of the game when Anton Hall took off for a 73-yard touchdown run to give Navy a 10-7 lead in the third quarter.

Unfortunately, the play was only the second-most influential touch by Hall in the game. His fumble at the goal line in the second OT gave Army a chance to win the game with a walk-off field goal.

Quinn Martetzki, who had attempted only eight field goals all season, drilled the 39-yarder -- a new season-long -- to clinch the victory for Army just a few minutes after nailing a 37-yard attempt with 1:53 left in the fourth quarter to force overtime.

Here's a few takeaways from the latest iteration of the Army-Navy Game.

1. Special teams matter

Well, special teams matter in a lot of games, sure, but games like this in particular. These are two service academies that run similar option offenses that feature a lot of run plays and require long drives to score touchdowns. They also present unique challenges to teams unfamiliar with defending the option, but that's not the case in a game like this.

Teams like Army and Navy spend the entire season practicing against option offenses and are better prepared to stop them than anybody. And that's why games like this are often won on the margins. While Army's offense was the inferior of the two units, its special teams were superior and proved to be the difference in the game.

Not only did Army block a punt to score its first touchdown take the head at halftime, Maretzki's field goals won the game. Army also averaged 42.4 yards per punt compared to Navy's 37.7, while Army's punt returners averaged 18.3 yards per return to Navy's 9.8.

Navy had the field position advantage overall (its average starting field position was its own 34 compared to Army starting at its 25), but the field would've been tilted even further in Navy's favor if not for Army's special teams performance. Given how Army struggled to move the ball, it's hard to imagine the Cadets would have been in position to reach overtime -- let alone win the game -- without its special teams.

2. Xavier Arline's injury played a significant role

The Navy quarterback came up limping after being tripped on a tackle late in the first half. Arline picked up 28 yards but was brought down on an illegal (uncalled) trip that may not have mattered much to the score at the time but had impacted the game. Arline did not look like the same player in the second half with his mobility clearly limited. He still finished with 102 yards rushing on 28 carries and threw a 25-yard touchdown to Maquel Haywood (his only completed pass) in the first overtime, but it was clear he was less than 100%.

3. Feeling sick for Hall

It was Hall's 77-yard touchdown run in the third quarter that gave Navy life after the game had swung in Army's favor, but the sight of him collapsing on the sideline in overtime as Maretzki's game-winning field goal sailed through the upright was difficult to take. Hall fumbled at the half-yard line while reaching for the end zone on Navy's second possession of overtime. Army recovered, putting it in position to win the game with a field goal.

4. First overtime ... ever

There had been seven ties in the first 122 meetings between Army and Navy, but the last one came in 1981 -- 15 years before college football got rid of ties and instituted overtime into the sport. It's crazy to think that it's been over 40 years since this game would've needed overtime considering how low scoring and close the games tend to be.

5. Army did not win the Commander-In-Chief's Trophy

That was already wrapped up when Air Force beat both Army and Navy earlier this season. It was the first time Air Force has won the trophy since 2016, and the Falcons were not shy about that fact at kickoff.

[Dec 10, 2022 at 6:45 pm ET · Tom Fornelli]

Army is lining up for a 39-yard FG and the kick is.....

GOOD!!! Army has beaten Navy 20-17 in double overtime!

[Dec 10, 2022 at 6:40 pm ET · Tom Fornelli]

DISASTER FOR NAVY!!!!

Anton Hall fumbles at the two-inch line and Army recovers it. Wow. He was reaching the ball out for the goal line and took a hit, jarring the ball loose. Army recovers and now needs a field goal to win the game.

[Dec 10, 2022 at 6:32 pm ET · Tom Fornelli]

NAVY SCORES ON THE FIRST PLAY!

Xavier Arline hits Maquel Haywood with a 25-yard PASS. Navy's first completed pass of the day! Haywood was wide open, and we're headed to the scond OT 17-17.

[Dec 10, 2022 at 6:30 pm ET · Tom Fornelli]

Army scores on the first play of OT!

Markel Johnson takes it right through the A-gap for a 25-yard touchdown run. Where was that all day? Army takes a 17-10 lead and Navy needs a TD or this one is over.

[Dec 10, 2022 at 6:24 pm ET · Tom Fornelli]

We're off to overtime

It was an oddly managed series by Ken Niumatalolo, and it ends with Navy needing to punt the ball back to Army. But this one isn't blocked, and Army is pinned inside the 10 with 6 seconds left. Army doesn't take any chances. We're off to the first overtime in the history of this rivalry.

[Dec 10, 2022 at 6:20 pm ET · Tom Fornelli]

First down Navy

The Mids pick up the first down and are now near midfield. It'll be interesting to see how aggressive they get now.

[Dec 10, 2022 at 6:19 pm ET · Tom Fornelli]

Navy is playing for OT

Army isn't. After two short runs, Jeff Monken uses one of Army's two remaining timeouts. He's trying to force Navy's hand and give his team a chance to get the ball back before OT.

[Dec 10, 2022 at 6:15 pm ET · Tom Fornelli]

We are tied 10-10

Quinn Maretzki had only attempted eight field goals all season, with his longest being 38 yards, but his 37-yard attempt is good to tie the game with 1:53 left to play. Can Navy get into field goal position, or will we have the first overtime in the history of The Army-Navy Game?

[Dec 10, 2022 at 6:10 pm ET · Tom Fornelli]

Army forces another three and out

Navy keeps it pretty conservative in the shadow of its end zone, and Army keeps it from picking up a first down. Navy gets a good punt, though, and Army gets the ball at the Army 45 with 5:21 left. The Knights need a FG, but their kicker has only made six field goals all season.

[Dec 10, 2022 at 6:02 pm ET · Tom Fornelli]

Third and 23 isn't where Army wants to be

The Knights complete the first pass of the game, and then get another 15 yards thanks to a pass interference, but penalties put them well behind the sticks and three straight passes don't get nearly enough. The Knights are forced to punt, and Navy gets the ball back at the 5 with 7:31 left. Army has two timeouts left, and they may need both on this drive. Remember: with option offenses, 7:31 isn't nearly as much time left as it would be in any other game.