Bryson Daily scored four rushing touchdowns to lead No. 24 Army to a 35-14 win over Tulane on Friday in the American Athletic Conference title game in West Point, N.Y.
In the Black Knights’ first season in the AAC, Daily set a league record for rushing touchdowns in a season (29). However, the Army quarterback, who gained 126 yards on the ground, was hardly alone in his rushing prowess, as teammate Kanye Udoh accumulated 158 yards and a touchdown. As a team, Army rushed for 335 yards.
Army (11-1) will ride plenty of momentum into its annual showdown with Navy in Landover, Md., on Dec. 14.
Meanwhile, Tulane (9-4) will await its bowl fate after its second straight lopsided defeat. Darian Mensah threw for 209 yards and two touchdowns for the Green Wave, who could not overcome a variety of miscues on special teams.
Tulane drove inside the red zone on the game’s opening possession, but Brice Busch failed to get the hold down on a field-goal attempt, leading to a big loss on fourth down. Eleven plays later, Army got into the end zone on Daily’s 5-yard TD run.
The Green Wave once again had a chance to dent the scoreboard on their next possession, but Mensah was sacked on third down and Patrick Durkin missed a 38-yard field-goal attempt.
Two plays later, Udoh uncorked a 72-yard run that set up Daily’s 3-yard TD plunge for a 14-0 lead.
Tulane fumbled the ensuing kickoff, as Army kicker Trey Gronotte forced a fumble by Rayshawn Pleasant that was recovered by Tommy Zitiello. The Black Knights couldn’t cash in on that possession, but Mensah was intercepted by Andon Thomas shortly thereafter, giving Army another short field.
This time, the Black Knights made them pay as Daily’s 4-yard TD run made it 21-0.
Tulane finally got on the board with 44 seconds left in the half as Mensah found Mario Williams for a 42-yard touchdown pass.
However, any potential momentum from that late score ended when Army took the first possession of the second half 75 yards for a touchdown. Daily provided the exclamation point with a 7-yard TD run.
Udoh’s 1-yard TD run with 6:29 left in the contest pushed the lead to 35-7 before Tulane got into the end zone with 70 seconds to play.
–Field Level Media
The New England Patriots are parting ways with safeties coach Brian Belichick, ESPN reported Tuesday. Belichick, the youngest son of six-time Super Bowl-winning coach Bill Belichick, has been with the…
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook is headed to the Pro Bowl Games as a replacement for Baltimore Ravens star Derrick Henry. The Bills also announced Tuesday that Buffalo center…
Former Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus is closing in on a deal to become the defensive coordinator of the Dallas Cowboys, NFL Network reported Tuesday. Eberflus is no stranger…
Bills’ James Cook replaces Derrick Henry on Pro Bowl roster
Report: Cowboys close to naming Matt Eberflus as DC
Liam Coen: Jaguars will rely on Trevor Lawrence, toughness
Reports: Lions name John Morton as offensive coordinator