Army and SMU walked away at the half of The Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl with 16 points on the board — all of them belonging to The Black Knights. Army seemed to dominate the low scoring game with more physical play, pressuring SMU Quarterback Kyle Padron incessantly.
Padron and The Ponies showed moments of brilliance actually opening the game, with a 45-yard completion on their first play from scrimmage. But the drive stalled, Padron fumbled what would have been a sack for a loss, and Army’s Josh McNary recovered and advanced the fumble for a new Armed Forces Bowl Record — a 55-yard fumble recovery TD.
Army got its second score of the game driving 80 yards in 8 plays, eating up just under five minutes off the clock. Army’s Malcolm Brown ran it in from 13 yards out. The point after was blocked.
Army finished the first half scoring with an Alex Carlton field goal from 44 yards out.