Tag: Army Black Knights
No. 25 Army grinds past North Texas for 13th straight victory
Army quarterback Bryson Daily engineered a 21-play drive and scored his second touchdown as the No.25 Black Knights pulled away in the second half to topple North Texas 14-3 on Saturday in an American Athletic Conference game in Denton, Texas.
Following his first touchdown to take a 7-3 lead in the first half, Daily created separation with a TD after leading a 94-yard drive that took 13:54 off the clock.
In winning for the 13th straight time, the Black Knights (9-0, 7-0 AAC) used multiple long drives to extend the nation’s longest winning streak and frustrate the Air Raid attack of the Mean Green (5-4, 2-3).
Daily rushed for a game-high 153 yards on 36 carries and finished 2-for-4 passing for 15 yards and an interception. Kanye Udoh had 65 yards on 13 carries, while Noah Short added 41 yards on six rushes.
Army rushed for 293 yards on 64 attempts and held the opposition to a field goal for the second consecutive game.
North Texas quarterback Chandler Morris was 24 of 37 for 214 yards with two interceptions.
The Black Knights’ impressive 12-game streak of not trailing came to an end when North Texas got a 31-yard field goal from Kali Nguma after a massive 18-play, 62-yard drive over the first 6:50 on its first possession.
Army responded by using a short field to go 48 yards in nine plays for the lead. Daily called his own number on second down and went untouched for 10 yards and a 7-3 advantage.
The visitors’ defense stood strong in the second quarter as the front forced a turnover on downs, stuffing Makenzie Gill II at the 2 for a perfectly executed goal-line stand.
On the final snap of the half as Army lined up for a 31-yard field-goal attempt, the Black Knights tried a fake, but the Mean Green stopped holder Matthew Rhodes on the run to trail by four at the break.
In the second half, Daily was picked off by Brian Nelson II, but the quarterback cashed in on the second possession.
Army held the ball for 10:38 of the third quarter, and the series carried over into the fourth when Daily plunged in on the 21st play from two yards at 11:44.
The Mean Green moved inside the red zone in the final minutes, but Justin Weaver made a sliding interception in the end zone for a touchback.
–Field Level Media
Kayne Udoh stars as shorthanded No. 21 Army downs rival Air Force
Kayne Udoh scored a pair of touchdowns and rumbled for 128 of his career-high 158 yards in the second half as No. 21 Army withstood the absence of star quarterback Bryson Daily and shined defensively in a 20-3 victory over visiting Air Force on Saturday afternoon in West Point, N.Y.
In their first Commander-In-Chief game of the season, the Black Knights (8-0) won their 12th straight game overall after learning Daily was unavailable due to an undisclosed illness/injury that is not expected to be season-ending.
Dewayne Coleman made his first career start and spent most of the day handing the ball to Udoh, who carried 22 times and scored untouched on a 12-yard TD about five minutes into the second half and untouched on a 25-yard score with just under two minutes left.
Udoh scored two TDs for the third time in his career and scored for the second time after Max DiDomenico had a 71-yard interception return after Air Force converted a third-and-19.
Udoh’s big day helped Army gain 207 yards rushing on 43 attempts. He also had a 40-yard gain that set up Trey Gronotte’s second field goal in the second quarter. Coleman ran 16 times for 42 yards while also completing 5-of-8 passes for 48 yards.
Army’s defense came up with three interceptions, including a pick in the end zone by Jayden Mayes with 43 seconds left to secure the victory. The Black Knights also finished with six sacks.
Air Force (1-7), which lost last year’s meeting 23-3, fell to 0-2 in Commander-In-Chief’s trophy games and dropped its seventh straight game.
Air Force quarterback Quentin Hayes finished 7-for-14 for 54 yards and also gained 61 yards on 22 attempts. Josh Johnson entered for Hayes and was picked off twice.
Army scored its fewest points in the opening half and settled for a 30-yard field goal by Gronotte with 6:39 left in the first and a 32-yarder with 12:37 left in the second. Set up by a 19-yard gain by Hayes on a quarterback draw, Matthew Dapore made a 32-yarder with 1:47 left to make it 6-3 by halftime.
–Field Level Media
Army, Navy expect competitive fight in Foxborough
Saturday marks the 124th clash between Army and Navy and a preview of a budding conference rivalry.
Army is slated to join Navy in the American Athletic Conference next season, shedding its independent status.
“I just thought it was the right move for Army football at this time,” Black Knights coach Jeff Monken said. “Navy has proven a service academy can be competitive in the AAC.”
The Black Knights and Midshipmen will meet at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., a first-time venue for a series that began in 1890. Identical 5-6 records and recent history suggests it will be a competitive contest.
Army earned a 20-17 victory in double overtime in last season’s game to trim Navy’s all-time edge in the series to 62-54-7. Seven of the past nine meetings have been decided by seven points or fewer.
The Black Knights carry a three-game winning streak into the game but have been idle since a 28-21 home win against Coastal Carolina on Nov. 18.
Army, which tweaked its style of option football before the season, rushed for 365 yards on 62 carries against the Chanticleers while attempting only two passes — one for an interception. Tyson Riley (12 carries, 112 yards), Bryson Daily and Ay’Jaun Marshall all ran for scores.
Navy last played on Nov. 25, when it fell 59-14 at SMU for its third loss in the past five games. The Midshipmen trailed 52-14 at halftime and were outgained 452-139 in the first two quarters.
Navy, which also is working through a new offense this season, was led by quarterback Braxton Woodson, who rushed for 104 yards and a touchdown and passed for 71 yards.
Navy coach Brian Newberry, the program’s former defensive coordinator, is eager for his first game as head coach in the series.
“It’s a lot of fun preparing for this game and game-planning,” Newberry said. “You want to make sure you do everything that you can to make sure your players are prepared.”
Army can capture its first Commander-in-Chief’s trophy since 2020 with a victory. A Midshipmen win would give them a share of the trophy with Air Force.
–Field Level Media
No. 25 Air Force puts perfect mark on line vs. rival Army
No. 25 Air Force will try to continue its best start since 1985 when the Falcons oppose Army on Saturday afternoon in Colorado Springs.
Air Force (8-0) has won its first eight games for the first time since 1985, when it began the season 10-0.
Falcons fullback Emmanuel Michel said the perfect record doesn’t mean anything if Air Force can’t beat Army for the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy on Saturday.
“We’ve got to get the CIC and then try to get the (Mountain West) Conference championship as well,” Michel said. “If we can do those things, then it starts to mean something. Right now, 8-0 doesn’t mean anything until you’re holding a trophy.”
Air Force has also won 13 straight games overall, matching the program’s longest winning streak that bridged the 1984-85 seasons.
The Falcons have outscored their past five opponents 175-76 but faced some unexpected adversity in their most recent game last week, when Colorado State fans began pelting the Air Force sideline with snowballs during a driving snowstorm early in the second half.
Colorado State was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct while the score was tied. Air Force scored the go-ahead touchdown on the drive before pulling away for a 30-13 victory.
The Falcons compiled 261 rushing yards in the win, including 130 yards on 20 carries by Michel, who tacked on a 5-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
“We just keep fighting and keep pushing and just know that we’ve got to finish and eventually we’ll wear people out,” Michel said. “Nobody wants to take that punishment down the middle over and over again.”
Air Force limited the Rams to 42 rushing yards and posted three fourth-down stops.
“I’m just proud of this team in every single facet that we have,” said Air Force safety Trey Taylor, who finished with 10 tackles and a pass breakup.
Army (2-6) has lost five in a row, most recently falling 21-14 to Massachusetts last week.
The Black Knights came into the game 5-0 all time against the Minuteman.
UMass coach Don Brown said the Minuteman took advantage of their bye week “to adjust our game plan style to the new Army.”
“If you don’t, they’ll present problems,” Brown said. “I have a lot of respect for that football team.”
Army’s Champ Harris started at quarterback for the second straight game. The freshman attempted only eight passes but completed six for 130 yards while also scoring his first collegiate touchdown on a 36-yard scramble in the fourth quarter that pulled Army within 21-14.
Bryson Daily also took some snaps after missing the 62-0 loss to LSU the week before with an injury, but he was just 3-for-13 for 28 yards and two interceptions.
Army freshman running back Kanye Udoh ran the ball well, posting a team-high 76 rushing yards on 15 attempts.
Defensive back Jabari Moore is set to play in his 55th career game for the Black Knights, breaking a tie with Greg McGlasker (1973-1977) for most in team history.
–Field Level Media
No. 19 LSU manhandles Army 62-0
Jayden Daniels threw three touchdown passes and rushed for another as No. 19 LSU rolled to a 62-0 victory over Army in a nonconference game Saturday night in Baton Rouge, La.
Daniels completed 11 of 15 passes for 279 yards, and Brian Thomas Jr. (122 receiving yards) and Malik Nabers (121) each caught two touchdown passes for the Tigers (6-2).
Kanye Udoh rushed for 108 yards for the Black Knights (2-5), who had just 193 total yards as they lost their fourth straight and second in a row by shutout. They lost to Troy 19-0 a week earlier and have scored just 40 points during the losing streak.
The Black Knights, who entered the game having turned the ball over 13 times, among the most in FBS, committed three turnovers in the first half and four in the game.
Garrett Nussmeier replaced Daniels to start the second half and threw a 51-yard touchdown pass to Nabers on his first possession for a 45-0 lead.
Damian Ramos kicked a 32-yard field goal to extend the lead to 48-0 near the end of the third quarter.
Noah Cain had a 2-yard touchdown run and Trey Holly added a 67-yard burst with 40 seconds remaining to complete the scoring.
LSU received the opening kickoff and drove 75 yards, taking a 7-0 lead on Logan Diggs’ 2-yard touchdown run.
Daniels found Thomas for an 86-yard touchdown and a 14-0 lead, and Andre Sam intercepted Champ Harris on the second-to-last play of the first quarter, setting up the Tigers at the Black Knights’ 33.
On the second play of the second quarter, Daniels and Thomas teamed on an 8-yard score for a 21-0 lead.
Ovie Oghoufo forced and recovered a fumble by Harris, giving LSU the ball at the Army 37.
Five plays later, Daniels sneaked 1 yard for a touchdown. Ramos added a 35-yard field goal and Daniels connected with Nabers from 26 yards for a 38-0 halftime lead.
–Field Level Media
Thomas Castellanos (4 TDs), Boston College edge Army
Thomas Castellanos scored his fourth rushing touchdown of the game, a 1-yard run with 25 seconds left in regulation to lift Boston College to a 27-24 win over Army on a rainy Saturday afternoon at West Point, N.Y.
Castellanos, who threw for just 73 yards, accounted for 142 of the Eagles’ season-high 299 rushing yards on 31 carries, including 17 on a key rush into the red zone that set up the winning 12-play, 62-yard drive.
Pat Garwo added 111 rushing yards, helping lead BC (3-3) to its second straight victory.
Army (2-3) held a 21-14 second-half scoring advantage, taking a 24-20 lead with 11:43 left as Bryson Daily completed a 9-yard strike to Tyson Riley between two defenders.
Leading the Black Knights, Daily was 10-of-13 passing for 105 yards and a touchdown while rushing for a team-high 99 yards on 14 carries.
BC had a 372-266 advantage in total yards.
Army looked to put the game away following a fourth-down stop, but an illegal forward pass penalty nullified Daily’s 50-yard touchdown pass to Hayden Reed, giving BC the ball back with 5:24 left for the deciding drive.
BC led 13-3 at halftime before the game opened up with matching scores out of intermission. Zach Mundell’s 53-yard kickoff return began Army’s first series of the second half, setting up a six-play drive that led to a Tyrell Robinson 10-yard touchdown run.
Garwo’s 50-yard burst brought BC into the red zone, where Castellanos rushed left for a 10-yard score with 7:36 left in the third.
An eight-play, 69-yard drive — capped by Reed’s 6-yard rush with 2:51 to go in the third — brought Army back within 20-17.
After forcing Army’s first of three consecutive 3-and-outs to begin the game, BC started its second series on a short field and finished a five-play, 40-yard drive for the opening score. Castellanos wiggled free for a 20-yard touchdown through the teeth of the defense with 7:35 left in the first.
BC’s lead was only 6-0 as Liam Connor missed the point-after attempt. Army had not allowed a first-quarter score in its first four games.
Quindrelin Hammonds’ interception got Army started in the second. Quinn Maretzki cut the Black Knights’ deficit in half on a 22-yard field goal at the 10:08 mark.
With 1:24 left before half, Castellanos punched in a 4-yard score to cap a season-long, 17-play drive which BC extended with a pair of fourth-down conversions.
–Field Level Media
Boston College brings momentum into clash with Army
Boston College looks to get back to .500 when it faces Army for the first time in a decade Saturday at West Point, N.Y.
The Eagles (2-3) take a break from Atlantic Coast Conference play following their 27-24 win against Virginia last Saturday.
The Black Knights (2-2) have been idle since losing to another ACC school Sept. 23, falling 29-16 at Syracuse.
In the victory over Virginia, BC orchestrated its largest halftime comeback since 1997 while allowing only 39 total second-half yards.
“We’ve got to go 1-0 this week,” Eagles coach Jeff Hafley said. “I said we needed to play Virginia like we’re playing the best team in the country, and we need to treat Army the same way.”
Against Virginia, Thomas Castellanos passed for 183 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 78 yards while the defense stepped up with six sacks after entering the game with just four all season.
Hafley knows the challenge ahead with Army, which ranks second nationally in rushing offense (289.4 yards per game).
“This is going to be a very physical, tough game,” he said. “We’ve got to throw everything into this one and then we can take a break.”
The Eagles have next weekend off before resuming ACC play at Georgia Tech on Oct. 21.
Army is well-rested for just its second home game of the season.
“Bye weeks … are a great chance to get healthy and get a two-week preparation on an opponent, but it’s odd to be sitting on a Saturday watching everyone else play and not have a game ourselves,” Black Knights coach Jeff Monken said. “Our guys practice because they like to play. I think they get excited about playing these games against Power 5 opponents.”
Noah Short logged a career-high 105 receiving yards in the loss to Syracuse, including an 80-yard touchdown from Bryson Daily.
That pair’s continued emergence will go a long way for the Black Knights, who last beat BC in 2012.
“It’s going to be a tough game to win, but it is a game that we’ve got to win if we want to be in the conversation for postseason play,” Monken said. “I think it’s OK to recognize that.”
–Field Level Media
Big second half lifts Syracuse over Army
Garrett Shrader threw for a touchdown and ran for a score as Syracuse awoke after halftime in a 29-16 win over visiting Army on Saturday afternoon.
Shrader finished 21 of 26 for 245 yards, while Damien Alford registered nine catches for 135 yards. LeQuint Allen ran for 104 yards and a score, and Shrader chipped in 50 yards on the ground.
The Orange (4-0) remained unbeaten despite a lethargic first half in which they failed to convert a third down and trailed 10-3 at the break against the scrappy Black Knights (2-2).
Syracuse’s second half began with disappointment as well, as the hosts drove to the Army 32 before getting stuffed on fourth-and-short. However, the Orange tied the game on their next possession, igniting their dominant second-half performance.
Shrader and Alford fueled the tying drive with connections of 31 and 19 yards, setting up Allen’s 13-yard sprint to the end zone.
Following another Black Knights punt, the Orange drove back into the red zone and cashed in when Shrader found Umari Hatcher for a 13-yard score on third-and-9.
Army went three-and-out on its next trip and Syracuse responded with a 30-yard field goal from Brady Denaburg. Shrader’s 21-yard TD run with 9:46 left and Denaburg’s 31-yard field goal less than four minutes later extended the cushion to 29-10.
The Black Knights’ Bryson Daily finished 9 of 21 for 145 yards with two interceptions and one touchdown — an 80-yarder to Noah Short in the waning minutes. Short caught six balls for 105 yards, while Daily led Army’s ground attack with 47 yards on 20 attempts.
After managing just 77 yards of offense in the first half, the Orange totaled 326 yards after the break. They held the ball for more than 20 minutes in the second half and outgained Army on the ground, 140 to minus-4 following intermission.
–Field Level Media
Unbeaten Syracuse has healthy respect for Army
Every week, Syracuse coach Dino Babers stresses the importance of respecting the opponent. This week, that message carries a special meaning for Babers and the undefeated Orange.
Syracuse (3-0) will wrap up non-league play Saturday when it hosts Army (2-1) on Military Appreciation Day.
“It’s a prideful thing,” said Babers, who grew up in a military family. “I told the guys, ‘Hey, these guys are different.’ They’re out there protecting us, and we need to give them the respect they deserve. One of the things they would want us to do is play the best game that we can play.
“I’m talking about a team that is very capable of beating us. The way they play the game and the way their head coach coaches the game — I tip my hat to them. I have a lot of respect for them.”
The Black Knights may have their hands full with Orange quarterback Garrett Shrader, who rushed for 195 yards and four touchdowns in last weekend’s 35-20 win at Purdue. He also passed for 184 yards.
The Syracuse offense is averaging 542.7 yards per game — fifth in the nation — despite the absence of star tight end Oronde Gadsden II, who is out for the season with a foot injury.
Army enters Saturday’s game on the heels of a 37-29 win at UTSA in which Hayden Reed and Bryson Daily combined for 207 rushing yards. Both found the end zone on the ground, while Daily also passed for 133 yards and a score.
As a team, the Black Knights are averaging 235.7 rushing yards per game, which ranks ninth nationally.
“Our guys want to line up and run around and knock people off the ball,” said Army coach Jeff Monken, who signed a multi-year contract extension earlier this week. “We’ve got to play a different style of game — and that’s running the football, controlling the clock, and limiting possessions. That’s always been our philosophy here.”
This will be the 22nd meeting between the schools, albeit the first since 1996. The Orange lead the all-time series 11-10.
–Field Level Media