Marching On – Army 5-0 for the First Time Since 1996

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TULSA, OKLA. – Army looked to continue their run to greatness after blowing out Temple last weekend as they traveled to Tulsa to take on another AAC opponent.

In a dominant display of both offensive firepower and defensive technique, Army routed Tulsa 49-7 on Saturday, extending their nation-leading winning streak to nine games. Quarterback Bryson Daily commanded the Black Knights’ offensive attack, throwing for two touchdowns and running for two more, while Kanye Udoh put on a show with 137 rushing yards and two long touchdown runs on just six carries. The win also pushes Army’s record to 5-0, marking their best start to a season since 1996.

With this victory, the Black Knights now stand just one win away from bowl eligibility—a notable achievement, given that Army has missed out on postseason play in the last two seasons. As the team continues to climb in the American Athletic Conference (AAC) standings, their dominance on both sides of the ball is making waves across college football.

PHOTO CREDIT – Danny Wild-Imagn Images

Army’s win over in-conference opponent Tulsa further solidifies their status as one of the top teams in the AAC this season. Saturday’s performance in Oklahoma was a continuation of the form that has made them a serious contender. The Black Knights came into the game boasting the longest active winning streak in the country, tied with Missouri, and they maintained that streak with ease.

From the opening whistle, Army showcased its versatility on offense, relying heavily on Daily’s dual-threat capabilities. The quarterback finished the game completing all five of his pass attempts for 140 yards and two touchdowns. More impressively, he added 110 rushing yards on 13 carries, using his legs to keep Tulsa’s defense on edge throughout the game. This was the fourth time this season Daily has rushed for multiple touchdowns, bringing his total to ten on the season.

Tulsa entered the game knowing they’d have to do something special to slow down Army’s relentless ground attack, and early on, they seemed up for the challenge. Army struggled to find its rhythm in the first quarter, as Tulsa’s defense managed to contain the Black Knights’ powerful rushing game. Tulsa’s offense, led by dual-threat quarterback Cooper Legas, also looked sharp in the early stages, as Legas’ 1-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter tied the game at 7-7.

Tulsa’s ability to stuff the run forced Army to switch gears, something the Black Knights aren’t often required to do. Army, traditionally known for its ground-and-pound style, had to take to the air, and it worked out perfectly. Daily connected with Noah Short for a 37-yard touchdown midway through the first quarter to open the scoring, and the duo struck again late in the second quarter with a 58-yard touchdown that gave Army a 21-7 lead heading into halftime. The latter score came after a beautifully executed downfield block by offensive lineman David Crossan, which allowed Short to sprint the final 20 yards untouched.

Daily’s ability to deliver timely passes kept Tulsa’s defense off balance, forcing them to respect Army’s passing game in a way few defenses have had to this season. That, in turn, opened up the field for Army’s rushing attack to take over in the second half.

While Daily’s efficient passing softened up the Tulsa defense, it was Kanye Udoh who provided the knockout punches in the second half. Udoh, who had been relatively quiet in the first two quarters, exploded onto the scene after halftime.

On Army’s second possession of the third quarter, Udoh took a handoff and raced 61 yards around the right end for a touchdown, extending Army’s lead to 28-7. Just a few minutes later, he broke free again this time for a 63-yard touchdown that effectively ended any hopes Tulsa had of mounting a comeback.

Udoh’s remarkable efficiency of 137 yards and two touchdowns on only six carries was a testament to Army’s offensive line, which opened up massive holes for the junior running back.

The offensive front dominated Tulsa’s defensive line, allowing Udoh to run untouched for much of his yardage. His two long touchdown runs were part of a broader trend for Army, as the Black Knights had nine plays go for 20 yards or more in the game.

With Tulsa unable to contain Army’s ground game, the Black Knights ran the ball 49 times for 321 yards. The 481 total yards of offense marked the first time Army surpassed 400 offensive yards in five consecutive games under Monken, now in his 11th season at West Point. This was the kind of performance that has typified Army’s season so far: relentless, methodical, and overwhelming.

While the offense put up big numbers, Army’s defense quietly delivered another stellar performance. After Tulsa’s early touchdown, the Black Knights’ defense clamped down, holding the Golden Hurricane to just 206 total yards of offense.

Army’s ability to stop Tulsa on critical fourth-down conversions was one of the key factors in the game. The Golden Hurricane gambled on fourth down five times, converting only one. Their inability to sustain drives gave Army’s offense excellent field position throughout the game, which the Black Knights capitalized on time and again.

Tulsa’s dual-quarterback system, with both Legas and Kirk Francis taking snaps, created some confusion early on, but Army quickly adjusted. Francis’ 16-yard completion to Kamdyn Benjamin on fourth down was Tulsa’s only successful fourth-down conversion of the game. Army’s defense applied pressure in key moments, shutting down Tulsa’s rushing attack and limiting their passing game to short gains.

The Black Knights’ defensive dominance was epitomized by their ability to keep Tulsa out of the end zone for the entire second half. With Tulsa’s offense unable to generate any significant momentum, Army’s defense controlled the game and prevented any chance of a comeback.

Army head coach Jeff Monken praised his team’s ability to handle adversity, especially in the first half when Tulsa briefly tied the game.

“We had some adversity in the first half, but we overcame it,” Monken said. “I don’t think we played particularly well overall as a team in the first half. Then we certainly played better in the second half. I’m proud of our guys, but there’s still plenty we need to improve on.”

With five wins under their belt and an unbeaten record in the AAC, Army is now just one victory away from securing bowl eligibility and could be one of the first teams to secure a trip to a bowl game.

The Black Knights will return home for a three-game homestand that includes matchups against UAB (Oct. 12), East Carolina (Oct. 19), and their traditional rivalry game against Air Force (Nov. 5).

This stretch of games will be critical for Army as they look to continue their winning ways and secure a top spot in the AAC standings.

For Army, this season has already been historic, with their 5-0 start marking the program’s best since the mid-1990s. But with their sights set on a potential conference championship and a bowl game, the Black Knights know that the hardest part of the season is still ahead.

One dark spot in Saturday’s win was an injury to senior safety Tommy Zitiello, who was taken to a hospital after a second-quarter play. Zitiello was seen being placed on a stabilizing board after suffering what appeared to be a serious injury. Monken, however, offered some optimism in his post-game comments, stating that Zitiello was alert and moving.

“We don’t have any definitive answer on what’s going on with him,” Monken said. “But he is alert and moving and all that stuff. So, we’re very optimistic about his recovery.”

As Army continues its remarkable season, the Black Knights are proving to be a force to be reckoned with. Their combination of a dominant rushing attack, a stingy defense, and a resilient mindset has set them apart in the AAC. With their sights set on bowl eligibility and beyond, Army’s journey is far from over but if Saturday’s performance against Tulsa is any indication, this team is ready for whatever comes next.