Black Knights Stay Undefeated with Dominant Defense

The #21 Army Black Knights (8-0, 6-0 AAC) achieved a convincing 20-3 victory over the Air Force Falcons on Saturday in front of a sold-out crowd at Michie Stadium. Army, playing without their starting quarterback Bryson Daily, relied on sophomore running back Kanye Udoh to carry the offensive load. Udoh didn’t disappoint, setting a career-best with 158 rushing yards and scoring two touchdowns on 22 carries, maintaining an impressive 7.2 yards per carry. With this victory, Army has now claimed six of the last eight meetings between the two academies.

Stepping in at quarterback for the injured Daily, junior Dewayne Coleman demonstrated poise in his starting debut, completing 5 of 8 passes for 48 yards and rushing for an additional 42 yards, all without a turnover. Coleman’s strong performance early on set the tone for the offense. On Army’s opening drive, he connected with receiver Casey Reynolds for a 24-yard gain on third-and-six, bringing the Black Knights deep into Air Force territory. Although the drive ultimately ended with a field goal by kicker Trey Gronotte, Army took an early 3-0 lead, marking the first time this season that Army didn’t score a touchdown on its opening drive.

The Black Knights also unveiled special “Black Flag” skull helmets for the game, the first time this unofficial program logo has been featured on their uniforms, reflecting their “never quit” mentality.

Head Coach Jeff Monken, a central figure in Army’s resurgence, donned a Vince Lombardi-inspired sweater, symbolizing resilience and commitment to excellence (Lombardis Army Sweater Returns Home). Under Monken’s leadership, Army has built a reputation for being one of the toughest teams in college football, and this season, they’re the only FBS team that has yet to trail in a game. Monken’s focus on a strong, disciplined defense has been pivotal, with the Black Knights’ defense delivering an outstanding performance against Air Force. They notched six sacks and forced three interceptions, allowing only three points—the fewest Army has allowed against Air Force since a shutout in 2017.

Army’s defensive pressure, led by linebacker Kalib Fortner and defensive lineman Jack Latore, set the tone early. On Air Force’s opening drive, Fortner and Latore combined to stuff the Falcons on a crucial third-and-three, forcing a punt and setting the stage for Army’s dominant day. Throughout the game, Army’s defensive unit disrupted Air Force’s rhythm, ensuring their offense couldn’t gain momentum.

With this decisive win, Army remains undefeated, setting their sights on securing the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy in their upcoming matchup against Navy. The Black Knights are showing that they are not only aiming for an AAC championship but are also establishing themselves as one of the most formidable teams in college football.