It wasn’t the cleanest win for #21 Army this year, but it was still a win. Jeff Monken’s team is off to an 8-0 start to the season and is one step closer to defending the Commander-In-Chief’s Trophy.

Backup quarterback Dewayne Coleman finished the game with 16 carries for 55 yards and five completions for 48 yards through the air. However, running back Kanye Udoh provided Army’s biggest offensive impact with 22 carries for 163 yards and two touchdowns. The Black Knights’ defense also stepped up with three interceptions and six sacks in the 20-3 win.

A tricky start

Army was without regular starting quarterback Bryson Daily on Saturday. As a result, the Black Knights got off to an unusually slow start. Coleman made his first career start for West Point and performed admirably in the situation.

Army had the only points of the first quarter, a 30-yard field goal by Matthew Rhodes.

Rhodes added a second field goal from 32 yards out early in the second quarter. In the final two minutes of the first half, Air Force managed to penetrate deep into Army territory and hit a 32-yard field goal to cut the lead in half before halftime.

Big plays in the second half make the difference

Army seemed to get on offense in the second half, gaining its first possession 65 yards from the end zone. Udoh capped the drive with a 12-yard touchdown. Those would be the only points for both sides in the third quarter.

Air Force got within range of another field goal early in the fourth quarter, but Casey Larkin grabbed his third interception of the season to end that push. With just over two minutes to play, a similar situation occurred when Max DiDomenico picked off Josh Johnson in the red zone and took it back to the Air Force 25-yard line. That set up Udoh’s second rushing touchdown of the day, making it 20-3.

The Falcons tried to fend off the ball again with 36 seconds left, but Jaydan Mayes collected Army’s third interception of the day on a heave from Johnson into the end zone. That would end the day in the Army’s favor.

What’s next?

Army travels to Denton, Texas next week for another AAC showdown with the North Texas Mean Green on November 9th. Air Force falls to 1-7 on the year and is on a seven-game losing streak. The Falcons face Fresno State next Saturday.

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