Army football/ AAC championship/ Bryson Daily/ Tulane football/ Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy/ Army-Navy game/ college football/ WEST POINT/ N.Y./ Newslooks/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ No. 24 Army made history in its first season in the AAC, winning the conference title with a dominant 35-14 victory over Tulane. Quarterback Bryson Daily rushed for four touchdowns and set a conference record with 29 rushing scores this season. The Black Knights, now 11-1, look ahead to their showdown with Navy for the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy next Saturday.
Army’s AAC Championship: Quick Looks
- Historic Win: Army claims its first-ever conference championship in 134 years.
- Star Performance: Bryson Daily rushed for four TDs, breaking an AAC season record.
- Dominant Ground Game: Army gained 335 rushing yards, maintaining its No. 1 rank nationally.
- Tulane’s Struggles: Mistakes and turnovers plagued Tulane, leading to their second straight AAC title loss.
- Next Challenge: Army prepares to face Navy in a crucial rivalry game.
Army Wins First AAC Title, Defeats Tulane 35-14
Deep Look
The No. 24 Army Black Knights secured their first-ever conference championship Friday night, defeating Tulane 35-14 in the American Athletic Conference (AAC) title game. The victory marked a milestone for the historic program, which previously operated as an independent for most of its 134-year history. Led by quarterback Bryson Daily’s four-touchdown performance, the Black Knights dominated the Green Wave to complete an undefeated debut season in the AAC.
Daily Leads the Charge
Bryson Daily continued his record-breaking season with another spectacular performance. The 221-pound quarterback rushed for 126 yards and four touchdowns, tying the AAC championship game record. His season total of 29 rushing touchdowns broke the previous conference record of 25, set by Navy’s Will Worth in 2016.
Daily’s contributions extended beyond individual accolades. His ability to lead Army’s grinding, clock-consuming offense kept Tulane’s high-powered attack off the field. Daily didn’t attempt a single pass in the first half, relying solely on Army’s dominant rushing attack to carve through the Green Wave defense.
Army’s Ground Game Dominates
Army’s rushing offense, the best in the nation at 312.5 yards per game, proved unstoppable once again. The Black Knights gained 335 yards on the ground, with Kanye Udoh adding 158 yards, including a 72-yard breakaway that set up one of Daily’s touchdowns.
The Black Knights also excelled in critical moments, converting four of five fourth-down attempts to sustain drives. Their 11- and 16-play touchdown marches in the second half further underscored their ability to control the game and the clock.
Tulane’s Costly Mistakes
Tulane entered the game seeking redemption after a late-season slide, but uncharacteristic mistakes doomed their chances. The Green Wave failed to capitalize on two early scoring opportunities, botching a field goal attempt and missing another from 38 yards.
Turnovers compounded their struggles, with a fumbled kickoff and an interception in their own territory setting up Army scores. Though quarterback Darian Mensah threw for two touchdowns, including a 42-yard strike to Mario Williams, Tulane’s offense couldn’t recover from its early miscues.
Army’s Historic Season
This season marked a new chapter for Army football as it transitioned into the AAC to secure a path to the postseason. Head coach Jeff Monken, who has long championed the program’s need for conference affiliation, celebrated the championship as a testament to the team’s resilience and preparation.
“Our guys set their sights on this from the start, and they delivered,” Monken said. “Now we’ve got the biggest game of the year coming up in eight days.”
Tulane’s Missed Opportunities
The Green Wave, playing in their third consecutive AAC title game, fell short again despite a promising season. Their nine-win campaign included highlights like a 17-game conference winning streak, but late-season struggles, including a loss to Memphis, knocked them out of contention for hosting the championship.
Head coach Jon Sumrall acknowledged the team’s mistakes and vowed to build on the season’s successes.
“We didn’t execute when it mattered most,” Sumrall said. “But we’ll regroup and come back stronger.”
What’s Next for Both Teams?
Army heads into its biggest rivalry game of the year, facing Navy next Saturday in Landover, Maryland. With a win, the Black Knights can claim the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy for the first time since 2021.
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