A historic milestone unfolded at Michie Stadium on Friday night as No. 24 Army secured its first conference championship in school history with a commanding 35-14 victory over Tulane in the American Athletic Conference title game. The triumph capped a perfect inaugural season in the AAC and set the stage for the annual Army-Navy game next week, where the Black Knights aim to claim the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy.
The celebration at midfield was electric, yet quarterback Bryson Daily made it clear the team’s focus had already shifted to their next challenge. “We’ve got another trophy to chase,” Daily said after leading Army (11-1) with a record-setting performance.
Daily’s bruising running style was on full display as the 221-pound quarterback rushed for four touchdowns, tying the AAC Championship Game record. His scoring runs of 5, 3, 4, and 7 yards not only powered Army’s offense but also brought his season total to 29 rushing touchdowns, breaking the AAC single-season record set by Navy’s Will Worth in 2016.
Daily’s performance was complemented by running back Kanye Udoh, who racked up 158 yards on the ground, including a 72-yard burst that set up one of Daily’s touchdowns. Army’s rushing attack, ranked No. 1 in the nation at 312.5 yards per game, overwhelmed Tulane with 335 yards on the ground and two clock-draining touchdown drives of 11 and 16 plays in the second half.
Tulane (9-4) entered the game with high hopes, playing in its third consecutive AAC title game. However, the Green Wave were undone by uncharacteristic mistakes and an inability to capitalize on early scoring opportunities.
Tulane quarterback Darian Mensah threw two touchdown passes, including a 42-yarder to Mario Williams late in the first half, but the Green Wave’s early miscues proved costly. A botched field goal snap on their opening drive, a missed 38-yard field goal on the next, and turnovers on consecutive possessions allowed Army to build a 21-0 lead.
Tulane’s struggles were compounded by the frigid 29-degree weather along the Hudson River, which seemed to favor Army’s physical, run-heavy style.
This season marked Army’s first in the AAC, ending a lengthy tenure as an independent with the exception of a brief stint in Conference USA from 1998-2004. Head coach Jeff Monken had emphasized the importance of joining a conference to secure a path to college football’s expanded postseason. Friday night’s victory validated that decision.
“This is what we envisioned when we joined the AAC,” Monken said. “It’s an incredible feeling to bring the first conference championship in our program’s 134-year history back to West Point.”
Cadets stormed the field to celebrate with the players as chants of “Army! Army!” echoed through the stadium.
Army now turns its attention to the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy, with a matchup against Navy on December 14 in Landover, Maryland. The Black Knights are poised to be a formidable challenge for the Midshipmen, led by Daily’s relentless ground attack.
For Tulane, the loss ends a remarkable season with back-to-back defeats. The Green Wave will now await their bowl game assignment, looking to regroup after a shaky finish to the year.
Sloppy play and missed opportunities marred an otherwise strong season for the Green Wave. After a 17-game conference winning streak, back-to-back losses have left them searching for answers.
The Black Knights’ relentless rushing attack remains their calling card, and only No. 4 Notre Dame has managed to stop it this season.
As Army basks in its historic victory, the Black Knights know their season’s defining moment may still lie ahead.
