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Army edged by West Virginia in Liberty Bowl

Army Athletics

Tyhier Tyler was pulled up from a pile in the end zone by Peyton Reeder amid some pushing and shoving ignited by West Virginia players.

Reeder and Army’s offensive line was winning the battle upfront for the first 13 plays to start the second half and frustrating West Virginia’s front with two potential NFL players.

Tyler’s third touchdown run capped an 8-minute textbook Army drive, putting the Black Knights up by 11 points midway through the third quarter.

Army appeared to be wearing down West Virginia and another long drive seemed inevitable. West Virginia would strike back on its next possession and Army would not score again as the Mountaineers tallied the final 14 points in a 24-21 win over the Black Knights in the Liberty Bowl.

The Black Knights finished the 2020 season filled with uncertainty due to the coronavirus pandemic at 9-3. Army played the game without several key starters and players including leading tackler Jon Rhattigan, slotback Tyrell Robinson, fullback Jakobi Buchanan, center Connor Bishop, linebacker Jeremiah Lowery and tackles Jordyn Law and Luke McCleery.

“Our guys fought their hearts out,” Army coach Jeff Monken said. “They played as hard as they could play. They believed all the way to the end that we were going to win. We got the ball back with a chance and couldn’t quite do enough.

Army had a chance to tie or potentially take the lead in the fourth quarter. Christian Anderson, who rotated in with Tyler at quarterback, completed a 32-yard pass to tight end Chris Cameron to West Virginia’s 29 for the Black Knights’ longest gain of the day. Anderson handed off to fullback Sandon McCoy for a 4-yard gain and was replaced by Tyler. Momentum was lost as Tyler rushed for 3 yards on second down and held to no gain on third down. Army elected to try a 39-yard field goal by freshman Quinn Maretzki, which was pushed left with 1:50 remaining.

Monken said that analytics suggested to go for it on 4th-and-3 instead of attempt the field goal.

“It was a go for it on 4th-and-3 but we get zero yards on 3rd-and-3 and I want to kick myself between the seat of my pants for not going for it on 4th-and-3,” Monken said. “I guess had we made the field goal that I would feel better. Even if we make the field goal, it’s going to give them some time to score.

Army’s defense forced a 3-and-out on the next series, giving Anderson and the offense another chance with 1:28 left. Ultimately, the Black Knights’ fate was sealed on a fourth-down interception by West Virginia’s Josh Chandler.

“I’m disappointed that we lost the game but it was a heck of a year and I’m not going to let that tarnish my memory of a great season and just a great bunch of young men that I love dearly,” Monken said. “They have played as well together and I’ve enjoyed coaching this team as much I have any team in 32 years.” 

Army led 14-10 at halftime with only 83 yards of offense. Malkelm Morrison provided the game-changing play in the final minutes of the first half. The junior apache sacked and knocked the ball away from West Virginia quarterback Jarret Doege. Ryan Duran pounced on the fumble at the West Virginia 7. Two plays later, Tyler scored on the longest of his three touchdown runs from 6 yards out.

The Black Knights’ defense held West Virginia to 3-and-out to close the half and perhaps forcing West Virginia coach Neal Brown to switch quarterbacks.

Oklahoma transfer Austin Kendall threw for 121 yards and two touchdowns in the second half. TJ Simmons, who declared for the NFL after the game, caught two touchdown passes for the Mountaineers (6-4).

Tyler was named Army’s offensive player of the game with a team-leading 76 rushing yards and the three touchdowns. Junior linebacker Arik Smith, who made a team-high seven tackles, was Army’s defensive player of the game.

Senior cornerback Javhari Bourdeau intercepted Army’s 14th pass of the season.

Freshman linebacker Spencer Jones made six tackles including a tackle for loss, replacing Rhattigan.

Army’s season didn’t end the way Monken and the players would have wanted. But, this Army team will be remembered for winning the Commander in Chief’s trophy in back-to-back victories over Navy and Air Force prior to the bowl. And, as Tyler reminded in the postgame interview, the Black Knights will be back and potentially better in 2021. Army started just six seniors against West Virginia.

“We have a lot of returning players going into next season, a lot of key players that are returning and we are going to use this season like a chip on our shoulders, to defend the CIC and win as many games as possible,” Tyler said.

2 Comments

2 Comments

  1. Don Davison

    January 1, 2021 at 2:43 PM

    Sal, just curious about the timing of when you knew about the Covid related players and coaches who would not be playing against WVU.
    Good job covering Army football this year. Lots to look forward to for next year’s squad although the schedule will be much tougher.

  2. Dean Reinking

    January 1, 2021 at 8:59 PM

    Good Job Army….good season….I’m very proud of you!!!!!! DR

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