Podcast Summary: The Triple Option – Live at the Army-Navy Game from USAA’s Rendezvous Point
Date: December 13, 2025
Hosts: Urban Meyer, Mark Ingram II, Rob Stone
Special Guests: Jeff Monken (Army Head Coach), Juan Andrade (USAA CEO), Robert Griffin III (RG3)
Location: Baltimore, Live Event
Overview
This live special of The Triple Option, set against the backdrop of the historic 126th Army-Navy game, dives into the meaning and magnitude of college football’s most revered rivalry. Urban Meyer, Mark Ingram II, and Rob Stone—joined by Army coach Jeff Monken, USAA CEO Juan Andrade, and Heisman winner RG3—explore what makes Army-Navy unique, reflect on the traditions and culture of service academies, and analyze the football matchup and its impact on the broader football landscape.
The episode blends heartfelt tributes to military service, in-depth football analysis, and lighthearted banter, all while capturing the emotion and community spirit that the Army-Navy Game inspires.
1. The Significance of the Army-Navy Game
Military Upbringing and Respect ([02:19])
- Urban Meyer shares how his family’s military background shaped his reverence for the game, describing Army-Navy as “way bigger than football… about honor, sacrifice, and service.”
- “I was really lucky. I grew up in a family that we were taught and learned to love our country… and I tear up every time I see [the March On]. God bless America and those men and women who serve our country.”
— Urban Meyer [02:19]
The Legacy and Emotion ([03:18])
- Mark Ingram II reflects on the game’s emotional weight: “This is way bigger than football… it's young men who are gonna serve our country. That's what it's all about.”
The Purity of the Game ([04:14])
- Rob Stone underscores how Army-Navy stands apart from the modern swirl of NIL, transfer portal, and playoffs: “This is pure football. This is the way it used to be. This is the way a lot of people feel it should be.”
Veterans Honored ([04:52])
- Tribute moments to veterans and current service members present in the audience.
2. Rivalry Mindset and Cultural Impact
Embroidering the Date ([06:14])
- Army, after losing in 2024, embroidered “December 13, 2024” on team gear—a constant, visceral reminder of the game’s lasting impact.
Urban Meyer on Rivalries ([06:49])
- “When I hear someone stand up and say, ‘Hey, we treat this like any other game.’ The hell it is. It's a rivalry game, man… this one is with you the rest of your life.”
— Urban Meyer [06:49]
Player Perspective ([08:04])
- Mark Ingram II: “It's about pride and it's about bragging rights… you want to be kind of legendary in this game as a player.”
3. 2025 Game Preview: Stats & Strategy
Army Snapshot ([08:55])
- Slow season start, 5 wins in last 7 games, 6-5 record coming in.
- QB Case Hellums: More runner than passer; last in nation in pass attempts/yards; 264 carries, over 1,000 rushing yards.
- “That's old school right there.”
— Urban Meyer, on Army’s run-heavy style [09:50]
Navy Snapshot ([09:51])
- 9-2 record, strong campaign under Coach Brian Newberry.
- QB Blake Horvath: 1,390 pass yards, 9 TDs, 5 INTs, over 1,000 rushing yards; team balanced but leans run-heavy.
The Triple Option Offense ([10:46])
- Urban Meyer traces the triple option’s role as “the great equalizer,” comparing his own Bowling Green (first spread offense, 2001) and Army/Navy’s wishbone roots.
- “If the dive, quarterback, and pitch or the screen part of it’s not covered, it's going to be a long day.”
— Urban Meyer [12:09]
4. Interview: Army Head Coach Jeff Monken ([12:42])
On the Game’s Evolution:
- “I don't know if it's evolved. It just has always been such a great rivalry… both teams play so hard.”
— Jeff Monken [12:42]
Army’s Turnaround:
- “We've just continued to fight. We got good leadership in our locker room… we really have played hard and played teams closely all year. We've had eight one-score games…”
— Jeff Monken [13:30]
Conference Championships & Game Timing:
- Discusses playoff expansion squeezing December weekends; game could move, but tradition is paramount.
Uniforms & Tradition:
- Army’s 250th Anniversary commemorated with special “1775” uniforms:
“Each year, we've honored one of our army units… this year, because it's the 250th year of the army, we're honoring that milestone.”
— Jeff Monken [15:57]
Culture Cornerstone:
- Mark Ingram II asks for the non-negotiable in Army’s culture:
“Love for each other. That's an investment in each other and that's where our program is built. …a true sense of brotherhood and an obligation to serve each other.”
— Jeff Monken [19:28]
Sign-Off:
- Every email/text ends “Beat Navy.” (Always lowercase “navy.”)
5. College Football Landscape & Bowl Game Trends
Whole Teams Skipping Bowls ([21:19])
- Surge in Notre Dame, Iowa State, and Kansas State electing to skip bowl games.
- Mark Ingram II: “I remember having some great bowl experiences with my teammates… it's kind of got me dumbfounded right now.”
- Bowls as opportunities for program growth and young player reps are highlighted.
Urban Meyer’s Best Bowl Memories ([23:04])
- Utah’s first conference title and Fiesta Bowl as non-BCS school; Rose Bowl win at Ohio State:
“Never got the Rose Bowl until my last year… we were not going to lose that damn Rose Bowl.”
6. Community, Service, and Family: USAA Segment
USAA CEO Juan Andrade ([27:23])
- On his favorite Army-Navy memory: “The walk on to the field… always a very emotional experience.”
RG3 on Military Family Roots ([29:46])
- “My dad serving 21 years in the military in the army and my mom serving 14, you know, they truly showed us like sacrifice, what it means to be disciplined.”
- Details USAA and Fox’s community projects, like giving vehicles to deserving service members.
USAA’s Community Initiatives ([30:56])
- $500 million “Honored Through Action” commitment for jobs, financial security, and well-being for the military community.
“Drip” and Uniforms ([32:01])
- Lively banter about who has more “drip” (fashion/style, per Mark Ingram).
- “If you look good, you play good, and if you play good, eventually they gonna pay good. And if you pay good, you stay good.”
— Juan Andrade & Mark Ingram II [32:30]
Building Community and Legacy ([33:01])
- USAA leveraging the Army, Navy, Marine Corps 250th anniversaries to strengthen community.
7. Analysis & Predictions: Army vs Navy 2025
Coaching Chess Match ([37:17])
- Urban Meyer: “Army, Navy… coaching makes a difference because it’s very rare now when they gots what you gots… That’s why I love this game… it’s a chess match when everything’s equal.”
Final Predictions
- Mark Ingram II: “I think Navy’s going to win, 20 to 17.” [39:46]
- Urban Meyer: “Letting my bias take over… Army, 28–26. Walk-off field goal.” [40:16]
- Rob Stone: Playfully abstains, jokes “I’m going to pick Air Force,” but ultimately sides with Navy: “Navy wins it in Baltimore.” [41:57 – 42:22]
8. Memorable Quotes & Moments
- “The hell it is. It’s a rivalry game, man.” — Urban Meyer on treating rivalries differently [06:49]
- “Love for each other… that’s where our program is built.” — Jeff Monken [19:28]
- “If you look good, you play good, and if you play good, eventually they gonna pay good.” — Juan Andrade [32:30]
- “Drip mean that jacket you got on, that’s drip.” — Mark Ingram II teasing Meyer [32:39]
- “[Army-Navy is] the only time that Army and Navy are not working together to support our country and protect us… that’s why the game is so special.” — RG3 [27:57]
- “This is America’s game… the ability to be able to sponsor… is just another way we give back.” — Juan Andrade [30:56]
9. Noteworthy Segments & Timestamps
- 02:19 – Meyer on military upbringing and Army-Navy meaning
- 06:49 – Meyer & Ingram on rivalry mentality
- 10:46 – Meyer dissects the triple option
- 12:42 – Jeff Monken interview (tradition, season recap, culture)
- 19:28 – Monken on Army’s core value
- 21:19 – Bowl boycott discussion
- 23:04 – Meyer’s non-Natty bowl memories
- 27:23 – USAA CEO Juan Andrade’s Army-Navy memory
- 29:46 – RG3’s military family story
- 32:01 – “Drip” and uniforms banter
- 37:17 – Coaching matchup analysis
- 39:22 ~ 42:22 – Hosts and guests predict the game outcome
Summary
This episode of The Triple Option delivers a heartfelt, in-depth, and entertaining look at the Army-Navy Game—blending reverence for military service with a coach's and player's breakdown of football tradition, strategy, and culture. The hosts and guests intertwine stories of leadership, sacrifice, and family with engaging, expert analysis and predictions, giving podcast listeners not just a feel for the game but for the spirit of American sport and service.