Max DiDomenico wasn’t fooled by Florida Atlantic’s play call.
Either was Casey Larkin, his Army safety pairing, on the throw downfield.
DiDomenico extended his arms and brought in Cam Fancher’s pass for his third career interception with Larkin right behind him in the fourth quarter.
“I saw the play develop,” DiDomenico said. “Casey was over top of that route. I was able to come underneath, turn around and the ball ended up there. If I didn’t get it, I think Casey would have gotten it.
Army’s defense was on point when it needed the most in the Black Knights’ 24-7 win over Florida Atlantic for their first American Athletic Conference win.
The Black Knights’ goal-line stand late in the fourth quarter was another defensive highlight. DiDomenico delivered the first hit on Fancher’s 4th-and-goal run that resulted in a tackle for loss later in the fourth quarter. The Black Knights stopped FAU four times from Army’s 5-yard line or inside. Safety Gavin Shields and Jaydan Mayes recorded tackles for loss on the drive.
Army’s defense, which allowed 235 yards and only 42 yards on the ground, often made Fancher uncomfortable in the pocket. Though Army did not have a sack, pressure forced the dual-threat Fancher to throw earlier than planned or fire the ball out of a bounds. Sophomore edge Elo Modozie demanded double teams and still was able to put some heat on Fancher, who ran four times for 10 yards.
“Our defensive line did a great job and the linebackers when they added in,” DiDomenico said. “That was big. Last week, Lehigh was able to use their quarterback in the running game and got some big yards. Being able to contain him (Fancher) and put pressure on him and make him throw it away was a great job by the defensive line.”
Florida Atlantic’s only touchdown was on a slant one play after it looked like Army cornerback Donavon Platt had made his second end-zone interception of the season. Officials on the field ruled Platt out of bounds on the would-be pick that was tipped around. Replay showed that Platt might have had one foot inbounds while his other foot hit the pylon. Replay was inconclusive and the call on the field stood.
