Baltimore — The 126th Army-Navy football game at M&T Bank Stadium on Saturday drew widespread attention not only for the historic rivalry but for a stirring rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” that fans across social media praised as among the season’s best.

The pregame anthem performance, delivered before the 3 p.m. kickoff, resonated with viewers who took to social media to express their appreciation. The game, broadcast nationally on CBS, marks the latest chapter in a rivalry dating back more than a century.

Navy entered the contest with a 9-2 record, bolstered by the performance of senior quarterback Blake Horvath, who has accumulated 1,143 passing yards and 926 rushing yards with 20 total touchdowns this season, according to Navy Athletics. The dual-threat quarterback has rushed for over 100 yards in six consecutive games, becoming the first Navy player to achieve that feat since Malcolm Perry in 2019.

Army, with a 6-5 record, sought to avenge last year’s 31-13 defeat. In that game, Horvath accounted for 303 total yards and four touchdowns.

“This game is thought about far more than just the days leading up to it,” Army head coach Jeff Monken said, according to the original report. “Our academy opponents are different. Defending them is different. Because they know us so well, trying to have a game plan prepared on offense is different. It’s an effort throughout the year.”

The Army-Navy game, presented by USAA, commemorates both the 250th anniversary of the United States Army and the 250th anniversary of the United States Navy. Both service academies designed special uniforms to honor the milestone anniversaries.

The annual matchup, often called “America’s Game,” is scheduled to be played in five different cities over the next five years, rotating between Baltimore, New York, Philadelphia, Boston and Washington, according to Army West Point Athletics.