First overtime game in series history (2022 double-overtime)

The Army–Navy Game played in December 2022 produced the first overtime in the series' long history, and the contest extended into double overtime before reaching a decisive conclusion [5][2]. After regulation, both teams were tied, forcing the game into the NCAA overtime format; subsequent periods produced alternating possessions and scoring until one side prevailed in the second extra period. Game narratives emphasized the game's close-play dynamics, special-teams execution, and late-game resilience from both rosters, marking the match as one of the more tightly contested meetings in recent decades [5][2]. The presence of coaches with deep familiarity in the rivalry added to the tactical chess match; contemporary reporting highlighted how single plays in late regulation and the overtime periods — including turnovers and red-zone stands — determined the final outcome. The double-overtime nature of the 2022 contest underscored how neither academy possessed clear superiority in that season [5][2].

Because the Army–Navy series dates to 1890, the absence of overtime until 2022 is notable; the double-overtime game draws attention to modern competitive balance and the ways rule changes (college overtime rules) allow for extended resolution where prior eras could end in ties [5][2]. The contest reinforced the rivalry's appeal as a close, emotionally charged matchup and provided a modern example of how small tactical decisions can decide outcomes between two traditionally disciplined teams.

The 2022 double-overtime game became part of recent Army–Navy lore and a reference point for subsequent seasons' expectations of close contests. Coaches and media used the game to illustrate the rivalry's continuing unpredictability and as a benchmark for player and coaching evaluations in the following years [5][2].