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

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

A risky 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 its only points of the first quarter, a 30-yard field goal by Matthew Rhodes.

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

Big games in the second half make the difference

Army seemed to find its offensive footing in the second half, taking their first possession 65 yards to the end zone. Udoh capped the drive with a 12-yard rushing touchdown. Those would be the only points for either team in the third quarter.

Air Force moved within range of another field goal to start the fourth quarter, but Casey Larkin grabbed his third interception of the season to end that drive. A similar situation occurred with just over two minutes left in the game, when Max DiDomenico picked off Josh Johnson in the red zone and returned it to the Air Force 25-yard line. That set up Udoh’s second rushing touchdown of the day to make it 20-3.

The Falcons tried to air it again with 36 seconds left, but Jaydan Mayes collected Army’s third interception of the day as Johnson flew into the end zone. That would end the day in the army’s favor.

What’s next?

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

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