The 2024 football season will be remembered as one of the standout years for the service academy teams, providing a perfect backdrop for exploring the most celebrated teams in Air Force, Army, and Navy football history. Here’s a timeline of the greatest service academy football teams, celebrated in the order of their historic triumphs.
Starting with the 1922 Army team, these Cadets, under Coach Charles Dudley Clay, dominated the field with an unbeaten record of 8-0-2. They were a powerhouse, outscoring opponents 228-27, and allowed only six points in their first five games. Notably, this team boasted players like linemen Fritz Breidster and Edgar Garbisch and recorded seven shutouts, including a noteworthy 0-0 draw with Notre Dame at home. Their other tie was a thrilling 7-7 match in front of 77,000 fans at Yale Bowl.
Moving to Navy, the 1926 season was a historic one, yielding their only claimed national championship as acknowledged later by the Boand and Houlgate Systems. Led by Bill Ingram, in his debut season at Annapolis, Navy went into the historic rivalry game against Army with a perfect 9-0 season, watched by a massive crowd of 600,000 at Soldier Field in Chicago. The fiercely contested match ended in a 21-21 deadlock, preventing a unanimous national championship for Navy.
In 1943, amidst World War II, John Whelchel’s Navy squad achieved one of its finest seasons. Their defense led to three shutouts and kept three other teams to under seven points. Their only defeat was a tough 33-6 loss to the top-ranked Notre Dame. Despite the war casting doubt on their annual game with Army, it took place with Navy securing a 13-0 victory.
The Army’s 1944 team kicked off a golden era in Cadets’ football history. Known for their legendary status, this squad won national titles in 1914 and 1915, and set the standard for the program’s success with their 9-0 record, led by iconic players Glenn Davis and Doc Blanchard, plus other College Football Hall of Famers like Barney Poole and Doug Kenna. They outscored opponents 504-35 and their season highlights included a crushing 59-0 win over Notre Dame.
Still under the legendary leadership of coach Earl “Red” Blaik, Army’s 1945 team might not have been statistically superior but remains one of the storied teams in sports history. Blanchard won the Heisman Trophy with 16 rushing touchdowns, while Davis contributed significantly with 944 rushing yards. Their experienced team averaged 359.8 rushing yards on their way to repeating as national champions.
The 1945 Navy squad, although overshadowed by Army’s historic run, had an impressive season themselves, pacing through with a strong defense before falling to Army in their final game. Despite the 32-13 loss to Army, the Midshipmen earned a No. 2 ranking by the Associated Press.
Army’s supremacy continued in 1946, with their third straight national championship, aided by heroes Davis and Blanchard. This time, Davis won the Heisman but the highlight was their scoreless draw against Notre Dame at Yankee Stadium, a game etched into college football lore.
Not resting on past glories, Army’s 1948 team remained unbeaten throughout their matches. Led by the skills of Bobby Stuart, Dan Foldberg, and formidable line players like Bill Yeoman, they achieved an 8-0-1 record, ending the season with a sixth-place AP ranking despite a 21-21 tie with Navy.
In 1949, guided by the dynamic quarterback Arnold Galiffa, Army went 9-0, scoring 354 points over the season. A significant highlight was their triumph over No. 1-ranked Michigan, asserting their dominance.
The 1950 season brought emotionally charged victories for Army, with Bob Blaik and captain Dan Foldberg leading, though they ended with a 14-2 loss to Navy, following tragic losses of former players in the Korean War.
Shifting focus to Air Force, their 1958 squad, in only the fourth season of the academy’s football history, delivered an unbeaten run under Coach Ben Martin. The Falcons reached their first bowl game, managing a scoreless conclusion against No. 10 TCU in the Cotton Bowl, finishing sixth in the AP poll.
The Navy’s 1957 season, bolstered by quarterback Tom Forrestal, proved their merit in games against North Carolina and top-tier teams, concluding with a significant Cotton Bowl victory over No. 8 Rice.
In 1958, Army teams featuring versatile stars like Heisman winner Pete Dawkins reaffirmed their place in college football with another great season. However, their 14-14 tie with Pittsburgh was a slight setback, preventing them from claiming another national championship.
Fast forward to 1963, Navy enjoyed a stellar season, with Roger Staubach securing the Heisman. The Midshipmen boasted wins against high-ranking teams, though fell short against SMU and ultimately lost to No. 1 Texas in the Cotton Bowl.
Under Coach Ben Martin’s leadership, Air Force’s 1970 team started strong with a 7-0 streak and memorable victories, such as triumphing over top-ranked Missouri and Stanford, before facing a setback in the Cotton Bowl against Tennessee.
The 1985 Air Force team, led by quarterback Bart Weiss, was fantastic, orchestrating the triple option offense to build an impressive 12-1 record, wrapping up with victory over Texas at the Bluebonnet Bowl. The season marked a high point in their history, highlighting core contributors like Weiss, Terry Maki, and Scott Thomas.
In 1998, Air Force clinched the Mountain West title and showcased their prowess in the Oahu Bowl against Washington, despite a lone but notable loss to TCU. With quarterback Blane Morgan and powerhouse Bryce Fisher, they finished the season ranked No. 13.
Led by Coach Troy Calhoun, Air Force’s 2019 season saw a remarkable run resulting in an 11-2 finish and bolstered by players like Kadin Remsberg and Donald Hammond III. Their high-point climaxed with victory in the Cheez-It Bowl over Washington State.
Similarly, Navy’s 2019 team, with Malcolm Perry at the forefront, enjoyed a record-breaking season, reaching the Liberty Bowl where they secured a win over Memphis.
Crowning this look back is Army’s record-setting 2024 season. Under the leadership of quarterback Bryson Daily, and driven by a formidable option attack, Army surged to a 9-0 start, securing a return to the AP Top 25 by end of the season, marking their most successful year since 1943.
