West Point, NY — In a fierce battle for the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy, the Army Black Knights overcame the Air Force Falcons 42-35 in a hard-fought contest at Michie Stadium. Both teams left everything on the field, but Army’s ground-and-pound offense ultimately proved too much for Air Force to handle.
First Half: Army Takes Early Control
The game opened with explosive plays from both sides. Army struck first, with a methodical 7-point drive. Air Force responded in kind, scoring 14 points in the first quarter, only for Army to dominate the second, entering halftime with a 21-14 lead.
Quarterback John Busha kept Air Force in the game with sharp passing, racking up 289 yards through the air, complemented by key runs from Aiden Calvert and Dylan Carson. However, Army’s relentless rushing attack, led by quarterback Brohan, gave them a significant edge on the ground, as they amassed 327 rushing yards, while holding Air Force to just 64.
Second Half: Falcons Fight Back, but Army Prevails
The third quarter saw both teams exchange blows, each scoring a touchdown to keep the game tight at 28-21 in Army's favor. Despite trailing, the Falcons’ special teams gave them a lift with 184 yards in kick returns, while their defense stiffened, forcing two turnovers in critical moments.
The Falcons tied the game in the fourth quarter with another touchdown, but Army responded with a decisive 14-point burst to secure the win. Air Force's final touchdown wasn’t enough, as time of possession heavily favored Army, who controlled the clock for nearly 20 minutes.
Key Stats
Total Offense: Army 455 yards, Air Force 353 yards
Rushing Yards: Army 327, Air Force 64
Passing Yards: Air Force 289, Army 128
Turnovers: Air Force 2, Army 1
Red Zone Efficiency: Air Force 2 TDs, Army 3 TDs
Air Force, despite strong performances in special teams and turnovers, couldn’t match Army’s ground dominance and fell short in the final minutes. The Black Knights reclaimed the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy with this victory, while the Falcons will regroup as they look ahead to their next challenge.
What a performance and what a game played by both academies. In what turned out to be a back and forth battle between the Falcons and the Black Knights. Both teams traded blows in the first half in a super exciting match up. Army was ultimately able to control the clock and wear down the Falcon's defense with their superior ground game accounting for over 300 yards rushing in the game. Timely turnovers also played a key role in being able to pull away late against a tough Air Force team.
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