Navy will take home the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy this year after defeating Army 31-13. With the dominant win, the Midshipmen defeated the Black Knights, who are ranked No. 22 in the CFP poll, for the first time in three seasons.

Navy quarterback Blake Horvath had a huge performance on Saturday, throwing for 107 yards and two touchdowns while also adding 204 rushing yards and two more touchdowns on the ground. But the Midshipmen’s defense also came up big, forcing three interceptions and holding Army to six points in the second half.

Navy struck first against the AAC champions, scoring a touchdown on its first drive of the game. The Midshipmen got another score after a big interception by cornerback Dashaun Peele. With the ball in great position, Horvath threw a well-placed pass to Brandon Chatman for a 14-0 lead.

Later in the second quarter, Army quarterback Bryson Daily threw a well-placed touchdown of his own, increasing the score to 14-7 at halftime.

Army settled for two field goals in the second half, but Navy continued to build its lead and took its time. In the third quarter, Horvath and running back Eli Heindenreich scored the 52-yard touchdown after Heidenreich was able to shake off an Army defender and stay down the field.

On their next drive, through a series of strange circumstances, the Midshipmen scored another touchdown. On the fourth and fifth, Navy faked a punt and passed the ball to Landon Robinson, a 6-foot-1, 285-pound nose tackle. After a long lead, Robinson fumbled the ball, but Navy recovered it.

Horvath then led the team down the field and ran the final yard for another touchdown, leading 28-13.

With seven minutes to play, the Navy defense pulled off another wild interception. In a true team effort, cornerback Andrew Duhart started the pick but lost control of the ball and Kenneth McShan jumped in to break up the turnover.

A third interception by Daily in the fourth quarter sealed the deal for Navy.

Army ranks second nationally in rushing yards per game, averaging 314.4 yards per game. But on Saturday, Navy held it to 113 rushing yards and 178 total yards.

Navy is also a rushing team and managed 271 yards on the ground, 30 yards more than their rushing average this season. But when Horvath actually threw the ball, he did so with impressive efficiency. Horvath went 4-for-9 passing on Saturday; Two of those completions were touchdowns. The Navy built a total of 378 assault shipyards.

Navy will now face Oklahoma in the Armed Forces Bowl. Army, meanwhile, will play Louisiana Tech in the Independence Bowl after Marshall pulled out of the game due to a lack of players.