Kanye Udoh delivered an impressive performance, rushing for 158 yards and scoring two touchdowns, leading No. 21 Army to a 20-3 victory over Air Force on Saturday. This victory marks the Black Knights’ remarkable 12th consecutive win, which is currently the longest active streak in the nation.
With starting quarterback Bryson Daily sidelined due to injury or illness, according to an academy announcement, Udoh rose to the occasion to bear the weight of the offensive attack. During Army’s initial drive of the second half, he surged through the Air Force defense with seven carries for 48 yards, culminating in a 12-yard touchdown run—his eighth of the season.
With this win, Army improved to 8-0 and extended its dominance over Air Force, having won four of the last five encounters. The victory also sets up a crucial showdown for the Commander in Chief’s trophy against Navy on December 14 at Northwest Stadium.
Udoh’s remarkable contribution accounted for 158 of Army’s total 209 rushing yards, showcasing a strong running game despite the absence of Daily. Furthermore, senior safety Max DiDomenico played a pivotal role in securing the victory with a red-zone interception late in the game, returning it 69 yards to the Air Force 25. Udoh promptly found the end zone again on the very next play.
Daily’s absence was notable as junior Dewayne Coleman made his starting debut in place of the injured quarterback. Army had a challenging first half, managing only a 30-yard field goal by Trey Gronotte on their opening drive, marking the first time this season they failed to score a touchdown in that scenario. Gronotte later added a 32-yard field goal in the second quarter.
This defeat marked the seventh consecutive loss for Air Force, who now sits at 1-7. In the game’s latter stages, Army safety Casey Larkin intercepted a pass on the 7-yard line, thwarting another potential scoring opportunity for Air Force with just under 14 minutes remaining. Additionally, Jaydan Mayes also contributed, securing his third interception of the season in the final moments of the game.
The Air Force offense struggled significantly, with quarterback Quentin Harris facing relentless pressure, resulting in six sacks and one interception throughout the match. Meanwhile, Army’s defense stood firm, managing to make crucial stops while allowing only 40 points total in the last five matchups against Air Force.
Looking ahead, Army is poised to potentially climb the rankings in the AP Top 25 following yet another commanding home victory, while Air Force will seek to regroup as they prepare to host Fresno State next Saturday.
Current standing reflects the progress for the Black Knights as they travel to North Texas, while Air Force remains focused on redeeming themselves in their next outing.