By Darin 
Intro/Hook: The 1946 Army-Navy game on November 30th was billed as a final step toward greatness. Under legendary coach Red Blaik, the undefeated Black Knights were widely considered the nation’s best team, boasting a tie against rival Notre Dame as their only blemish. Their opponent, the Navy Midshipmen, entered the Municipal Stadium in Philadelphia with a dismal 1-7 record. However, in front of a massive crowd of 102,500—including President Truman, the Chief Justice, and much of the Cabinet—what unfolded was a taut, dramatic struggle that saw Army win the battle but lose the war for the national championship.
A Tense, Historic Showdown:
Army’s preparation was severely hampered when 42 players were struck down by food poisoning in the days leading up to the contest. Despite the illness, the Black Knights recovered to take the field. The game was a fierce defensive slugfest, far closer than anyone predicted.
In the fourth quarter, the Midshipmen refused to be intimidated by the top-ranked Black Knights. Navy rallied, tying the game at 18 points with just 4:42 remaining on the clock. The tension was overwhelming. Starting deep at their own 33-yard line, the Midshipmen mounted one final, desperate drive, methodically pushing the ball deep into Army territory. They reached the Army 4-yard line, positioned perfectly for a potential game-winning score.
With the seconds ticking down, and having burned all their timeouts, the Midshipmen frantically tried to get off one last snap. They failed. The clock expired, and Army escaped with a heart-stopping 21-18 victory.
Article from Dec 1, 1946 The Boston Globe (Boston, Massachusetts)
Conclusion:
Though they secured the dramatic win, the close nature of the game against a heavily outmatched opponent proved fatal to Army’s national title aspirations. Because the Black Knights had previously tied Notre Dame 0-0, the margin of victory here was enough to keep them just behind the Fighting Irish in the final rankings. What many believed was Red Blaik’s finest Army team finished second in the nation, proving that even a win in the Army-Navy rivalry can carry the heaviest of costs.