Future bright for Godspower, Army fullbacks

Godspower Nwawuihe and B-backs coach Chandler Burks watched an iPad as Jeff Monken conducted a TV interview before the fourth quarter of the Fenway Bowl.

Nwawiuhe was still looking for ways to improve during his breakout game. The Army freshman’s 171 rushing yards were the most by a West Point plebe since at least 1995 (per Army Athletic Communications). 

Nwawiuhe’s total was the third highest by an Army player in a bowl game behind Ahmad Bradshaw (180, 2017 Armed Forces Bowl) and Ben Barnett (177, 1988 Sun Bowl).

“My team played hard,” Nwawiuhe said. “The offensive line blocked hard. Coaches called a great game and put me in position to make plays. I just trusted in my guys and went out there and gave it my all.”

Crazy that Nwawuihe entered the bowl with only nine carries for 25 yards on the season after the transition from quarterback to fullback in September.

Nwawiuhe’s offensive bowl MVP day included touchdown runs of 43 and 70 yards. Army had only four runs of 40 yards or more through its first 12 games of the season.

Nwawuihe broke and/or avoided tackles at all three levels (backfield, line of scrimmage and secondary) on his 70-yard highlight TD, one of the best runs you’ll see from Army player ever.

Army’s fullbacks Nwawuihe, Jake Rendina (career-high 87 yards) and Carson Smith (career-high 49 yards) combined for 307 rushing yards. Fullbacks totaled 296 yards over the previous six games.

Nwawuihe should be a major solution to the 2025 fullback usage issues into the future. With starting quarterback Cale Hellums returning in 2026, Nwawuihe should stay at fullback/running back.

Army will have big-play threats in Nwawuihe and sophomore Briggs Bartosh and tough runners Jake Rendina and Carson Smith, both juniors, returning at B-back. 

What could have been considered as a position of question in 2026 has a different outlook with one highly-productive bowl game. Fullbacks need to be essential to success of Army’s ground game.