The Navy Midshipmen faced against the Army Black Knights at 3:00 p.m. ET at M&T Bank Stadium. The annual rivalry game pitted a 6-5 Army team against a firm 9-2 Navy in Baltimore. Despite Navy winning the game 17-16, the Black Knights were favored by 6.5 points. College Football legend Urban Meyer spoke about his boyhood fandom around this historic game.

“My favorite part of this game is not the actual game. It’s the March-on. To see the men and women who serve our country and our cadets in the middle as they come on the field. So much is going on in this world, and you see the elite of the elite walk into the stadium in march. That, on the field, is my favorite memory of this game. Honored to be here. God bless America,” said Urban Meyer through his Triple Option podcast’s IG account.

The March-on tradition is one of the most iconic pre-game rituals in college football, only topped by probably VT’s Enter Sandman or FSU’s war chant. The ritual begins with a Brigade of Midshipmen from the United States Naval Academy and Corps of Cadets from the US Military Academy marching on the field in military formations. Those flanks and rows of neatly dressed Black Coats, White caps from the Navy, and those black robes from the Army signal discipline, unity, and synchronization. Even in a game of utter chaos like football.

It’s a tradition not just for show, as these cadets will be future officers. The frontline defense of America. In a sense, when you look at it, those cadets carry the responsibilities of the country on their shoulders even when they are meant to enjoy the game. “We use it as a demonstration of discipline within the corps, everybody moving in the same uniform, at the same time, in the same place,” said Adam Brady, Army Operations Officer. As for Urban Meyer, he has childhood roots in supporting the Black Knights.

“My father was in the Army, my sister’s Air Force. So when I grew up, we never missed this game as a family. And to be in my third game, I’m great friends with the head coach of Army Coach (Jeff) Monken. Will be on the sideline and in the locker room for the game,” said Urban Meyer. Even Meyer’s coaching philosophies came from military study, which led him to three national titles. Meyer calls it a “Militaristic model” broken into nine units of football.

Meyer used the military analogy and how the army incorporates the “love of the unit” as the basic motivation for the troops. Similarly, for Meyer, creating a band of brothers in his teams became important, and when the approach succeeded, it paid off massively. It’s a testament to Urban’s fandom passed on by his father that tilts him to root for the Army in the game.

Urban Meyer picked his favorite to win the game

The Navy vs Army rivalry started back in 1890, and Navy holds edge over the Black Knights. The Midshipmen had a 65-55-1 record to their name, and also came after dominant wins over North Texas, South Florida, and Florida Atlantic. Never mind the best QB on the field in Blake Horvath suited up for Navy. But Urban Meyer just couldn’t help himself.

“This is one of the best versions of Navy… and then Army caught fire, man. The Army is playing its best ball of the year. So I’m letting my bias take over a little bit here because I love the coach, I love Army. I’m saying 28–26. That ball goes through the uprights… Army 28–26,” said Urban Meyer. Last year, when the team faced off, the result went in the Navy’s favor. The Midshipmen sealed the game 31-13. And this year, despite being close, the outcome stayed the same.

After gaining a quick 7-0 lead in the first quarter, Navy’s defense was not able to hold up Army’s onslaught. 16 unanswered points. But finally in the second half, Navy pulled away with a field and a fourth quarter touchdown. It was too close for comfort, but the best team ultimately won.