Navy 14-game winning streak (2002–2015)

Beginning with the 2002 Army–Navy Game, the Navy Midshipmen compiled a consecutive-victory streak that reached 14 games through the 2015 contest, marking the longest single-team run in the rivalry's recorded history [5][6]. The streak was built under multiple Navy coaching staffs but was notably sustained during Ken Niumatalolo's tenure as head coach (2007–2022), when Navy frequently leveraged its triple-option offense and disciplined roster to control time of possession and game tempo against Army [6][5]. Game-by-game, the streak included a mix of close finishes and comfortable wins; the accumulation of victories changed perceptual momentum in favor of Navy and shaped recruiting, institutional pride, and coach evaluations across both academies [5][6]. Media narratives during the streak framed it as a significant barometer of program health for both schools, with Army grappling to find a coaching and schematic solution that could consistently defeat Navy's system [6]. The 14-game run became a defining modern-era storyline until it concluded with Army's 21–17 victory on December 10, 2016 [5][6].

Navy's 14-game run from 2002–2015 shaped the rivalry's early-21st-century identity by establishing a clear modern-era dominance. The streak affected institutional morale and external perceptions: Navy's program stability and schematic continuity were lauded while Army faced scrutiny and pressure to change direction. The longevity of the streak made its eventual end in 2016 a seminal moment precisely because of how entrenched Navy’s string of wins had become [5][6].

The streak's end in 2016 prompted reevaluation at both academies: Navy sought to sustain competitiveness under longstanding coaching leadership, and Army's program under Jeff Monken gained momentum and recruiting credibility after the 2016 victory. The 2002–2015 run remains a reference point in discussions of program shifts and coaching impact in the rivalry's modern era [5][6].