After a 14-year hiatus, Coach Rich Ellerson’s Army Black Knights returned to bowl action today and beat the SMU Mustangs 16-14 at home, before a record crowd in the relocated Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl.

SMU football is .500 in the bowl category since Coach June Jones breathed life into the Stangs program. Unfortunately, the “L” in the two-game bowl record came at home, before 36,000 spectators in Dallas at Gerald J. Ford Stadium.

The game was characterized by both teams dominating one half of play, but turnovers made the difference as Army took advantage of one fumble recovery and two interceptions.

Army made big plays and used a pesky, physical defense to capitalize on turnovers, blanking SMU the first half and holding off a second-half rally in which SMU scored 14 unanswered points.

SMU threatened early, airing out a long completion on the first play from scrimmage as QB Kyle Padron found Aldrick Robinson for a 45-yard strike. Two plays later, SMU fumbled and Army’s Josh McNary recovered and returned the ball for a 55-yard TD, a new page in the Armed Forces Bowl record book.

Blocked

After the initial fireworks, SMU’s other big play of the first half was blocking the extra-point attempt after Army’s second TD of the day. The missed point would prove to be critical in the final minutes of the 4th quarter, as SMU rallied. Late in the game, trailing 16-14, SMU’s field goal attempt would have put the Ponies ahead. But the 47-yard, go-ahead kick by SMU’s Matt Szymanski sailed left.

With that change of possession Army held the lead, making two big plays on third down, sustaining the drive and running out the clock.

'Cameo'

In addition to the fumble return, Army scored on a 13-yard run by Malcolm Brown, with 5:26 remaining in the first quarter. After the missed PAT, Army’s Alex Carlton salvaged the kicking game with a 42-yard field goal with two minutes remaining in the first half.

SMU scoring began with an eight-yard reception by Robinson, with just two minutes remaining in the third quarter. Darius Johnson finished up SMU scoring with a 28-yard reception at the nine minute mark in the final period.

John Garrison Jr., Bell Helicopter

The time of possession and number of plays were evenly split between the two squads, but SMU won the air war with 302 yards passing to Army’s 30. The Black Knights outrushed SMU 199-111 yards. In a game relatively penalty free, SMU was flagged three times for 35 yards. Army was not penalized. SMU’s Padron finished the day 23-34 with two interceptions. Army’s Jared Hassin netted 82 yards rushing, and SMU’s Zach Line tallied 103 yards on the ground.

About To Twirl

Final Score