Both Army and Navy knew only one team could walk away from Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia the victor on Saturday.
That team ended up being Army, which capitalized on a Navy turnover in overtime — the first OT in this historic rivalry — to upend the Midshipmen 20-17. Unfortunately, the player whose turnover led to the Black Knights' victory felt the sting of this loss more keenly than his teammates.
Sophomore running back Anton Hall Jr. had a chance to give the Midshipmen a touchdown lead in the second overtime period, but instead of scoring, Hall fumbled on third-and-goal from the 2, with Army recovering.
FUMBLE!!!! ARMY RECOVERS!!!! CHAOS!!!!! pic.twitter.com/1Co9MmnRnS
— 𝗙𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗪 @𝗙𝗧𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗱𝟳 (@FTBeard7) December 10, 2022
MORE: Field goal delivers Army win in rivalry's first overtime game
The Black Knights did not squander the opportunity. It used the ensuing drive to set up a Quinn Maretzki 39-yard game-winning field goal:
THE KICK IS GOOD.
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) December 10, 2022
ARMY WINS IT IN OVERTIME. pic.twitter.com/A3HKrpOUz3
Army's ecstasy was Hall's agony. Hall was shown collapsing in sorrow on the sideline while teammates and coaches consoled him. Considering this was how Navy's season ended (neither the Midshipmen nor the Black Knights are bowl eligible), Hall will not have another game to focus on to help him recover more quickly from the turnover.
An earlier Hall play helped Navy take the game to overtime. He scored a 77-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, the only score from scrimmage in regulation and the longest touchdown in the history of the Army-Navy game.
ANTON HALL IS GONE!
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) December 10, 2022
NAVY TAKES THE LEAD. pic.twitter.com/PU3cnALwr3
Hall finished the day with seven carries for 99 yards (14.1 yards per carry) and the lone touchdown. Teammate Xavier Arline (28 carries, 102 yards) was the only rusher in Saturday's game to eclipse Hall's rushing total.
MORE: Army vs. Navy all-time record
Navy fans and neutral observers alike could only sympathize with Hall following the game:
Feel terrible for Navy's Anton Hall and that fumble. This game means so much.
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) December 10, 2022
I'm thrilled for Army's players; I'm devastated for Navy's,especially Anton Hall who not doubt won't remember his 77-yard-TD run but will remember the fumble in double OT.
— John Feinstein (@JFeinsteinBooks) December 10, 2022
Watching Anton Hall Jr. on the sideline after that fumble is gutting. He wanted it so badly. Played an instrumental part in even getting Navy to OT.
— Brett Gibbons (@roadtocfb) December 10, 2022
In case you questioned how much this game means to every single one of them.
I am absolutely gutted for Anton Hall.
— Mike Golic Jr (@mikegolicjr) December 10, 2022
Man. I feel sick for Anton Hall Jr.
— Mitchell Northam (@primetimeMitch) December 10, 2022
I feel horrible for Anton Hall…from someone that’s fumbled on the goal line before it’s gut wrenching …this game means so much to them…but he’ll become a stronger person from this #ArmyNavyGame
— Rene Ingoglia (@reneingoglia) December 11, 2022
Gotta feel for Navy's Anton Hall. So emotional after the game.
— Eric Bailey (@EricBaileyTW) December 10, 2022
So much to love about the #ArmyNavyGame. I find myself in awe of all these kids and how they revel in victory.
— Michael Collins (@MCFanSided) December 10, 2022
But seeing Anton Hall as that last FG was kicked was just gut wrenching.
This is their Super Bowl, and if you don’t get that then order a new soul from Amazon
