The Midshipmen appeared to catch a break in the third quarter of this year's Army-Navy Game.
After a Black Knights drive stalled outside of field goal range in Navy territory, Army was forced to punt. As the ball came down, it appeared to bounce off of the Midshipmen returner's foot, making it a live ball that could be recovered by either team. An Army coverage player fell on the football and for a moment, believed he had snagged possession for his team inside the red zone.
Instead, the officials's call on the field was that the ball did not make contact with the returner, keeping possession with Navy.
Officials ultimately ruled that the call on the field stood, despite replays strongly suggesting that the ball hit the return man. College football fans couldn't help but feel that Army was robbed by the referees.
Did the ball hit the returner's foot?
— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) December 9, 2023
After further review, Navy keeps possession with the ruling that it did not. pic.twitter.com/RrqumYrHMV
Show the other angle. Clearly hits the foot. https://t.co/Bzft3azQV3
— Isenhart Stables 🐎🌹 $CROWN (@IsenhartStables) December 9, 2023
100%, YES.
— The Sports Forum (@DenverForum) December 9, 2023
Army just got robbed big time...WTF are these refs looking at? LOL
— Donnie 'RightSide' Seymour (@RightSideVP) December 9, 2023
Army got robbed … the ball clearly hit the midshipman’s foot!
— Brien C. Ford (@BrienCFord) December 9, 2023
The Black Knights paid for the call, as Navy drove 70 yards down the field and kicked a field goal. But fortunately, Army came up with a huge play later on in the fourth quarter, coming up with a huge scoop-and-score touchdown on defense to extend the lead to 17—3.
Army would hold on to win the game, 17-11.
