Week 13 brought another pivotal turn in the 2025 season for the service academies, even with only two teams in action. Army returned from its bye with a valuable opportunity to clinch bowl eligibility at home, but the Black Knights saw a late lead slip away in a frustrating one-point loss to Tulsa on Senior Day.
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Out in the Mountain West Conference (MW), Air Force’s offensive struggles continued as the Falcons fell to New Mexico in a game defined by injuries and stalled drives. Navy, meanwhile, spent the week recovering, regrouping, and preparing for its nationally televised Thanksgiving showdown against Memphis, a matchup that could reshape the American Athletic Conference (AAC) title race.
Army Misses Opportunity to Secure Bowl Eligibility
Despite being a 10-point favorite against Tulsa, Army could not get the job done in front of a crowd of 28,705 fans at home on Saturday afternoon.
On Senior Day, quarterback Cale Hellums led the team in rushing, running for 159 yards and all three Army touchdowns on 32 carries. Through the air, he completed six of 10 passes for 64 yards. Senior slotback Noah Short had eight carries for 37 yards and led the team in receptions with four catches for 47 yards.
Quarterback Baylor Hayes had a strong outing for Tulsa. The redshirt freshman completed 20 of 31 passes for 267 yards and a touchdown. He received significant support from running back Dominic Richardson, who racked up 203 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries. Hayes effectively spread the ball among his wide receivers. Zion Steptoe (five receptions for 76 yards), Josh Smith (three receptions for 50 yards and a touchdown), and Donnell Gee Jr. (one reception for 50 yards) all made contributions on offense against the Black Knights.
(Danny Wild/Imagn Images)
On the opening possession of the game, the Golden Hurricane marched down the field and scored. A six-play scoring drive was highlighted by Hayes’ deep right 50-yard pass to Gee. Richardson’s three-yard rushing touchdown, with the extra point, gave Tulsa a 7-0 lead at 12:23.
The Black Knights answered just over a minute later. Hellums’ big 44-yard pass, followed by his 31-yard touchdown run evened up the score at 11:34. On this touchdown play, the junior ran right up the middle through multiple defenders on his trip into the endzone. On the next drive of the game, the Golden Hurricane used 12 plays and 3:36 of possession time to set up a field goal attempt. Seth Morgan’s kick from 47 yards was blocked by Army sophomore nickelback CJ Martin at 7:43 in the first, keeping the score tied at 7-7.
An eight-play Black Knights drive came to an end on 4th & 3 at the Tulsa 26-yard line when Short’s run to the left was stuffed with no gain. With the ball turned over on downs, the Tulsa offense set up another scoring drive. Out of the shotgun, running back Ajay Allen rushed up the middle for a seven-yard touchdown run. With Morgan’s extra point, Tulsa led 14-7 at 14:01 in the second quarter.
Army took a one-point lead on their next possession courtesy of Hellums’ five-yard touchdown run and a two-point conversion. Hellums hit tight end Tex Brannan for two points. Army led 15-14 at the 5:47 mark of the second quarter.
The Golden Hurricane punted on their next possession. The Black Knights responded with yet another scoring drive that ended in a Hellums five-yard touchdown run. With Jones’ extra point, Army led 22-14 with 24 seconds left in the half. Tulsa got the ball back with enough time to run four more plays before time ran out in the second quarter.
Ahead 22-14, the home team got the ball first in the second half. In typical Army offensive fashion, they used 14 plays and 7:51 of game clock on this opening drive. Unfortunately for the Black Knights, they had to resort to a field goal after this long possession. Jones’ kick from 33 yards out was good at 7:03, putting his team up 25-14.
Hayes lost the ball on a rush up the middle on Tulsa’s next possession. Outside linebacker Eric Ford recovered it, and Army took over deep in their own territory. The Black Knights went three-and-out, returning the ball to the visitors with 30 seconds left in the quarter.
Tulsa fumbled again on their next possession. This time, redshirt freshman wide receiver Smith lost the ball after catching Hayes’ pass, deep left. Gavin Shields forced the fumble and Collin Matteson recovered the ball with four seconds remaining in the third quarter. Army failed to capitalize on this defensive gift, punting the ball away. This was just the beginning of a lackluster fourth quarter for the Black Knights offensive.
(Army Football via X)
A Golden Hurricane 11-play drive put three more points on the board. Morgan’s 48-yard field goal was good to make the score 25-17. Army got the ball back with Hellums throwing an interception on the second play of the drive on 2nd & 10 at their own 13-yard line. This pass was picked off by safety Lento Smith Jr., his first of the season. The Golden Hurricane then shocked the home crowd by scoring on Hayes’ eight-yard touchdown pass down the middle to Smith at 1:53 of the final quarter. Tulsa tried to tie up the game, but the two-point conversion failed. Army still led 25-23.
With 1:36 left to play, the Black Knights turned the ball over on downs. Hellums’ rush attempt to the right on 4th & 3 resulted in no gain. Tulsa then put together a nine-play scoring drive that culminated in a field goal to win the game. Morgan’s attempt from 27 yards was good with 12 seconds left. Tulsa led 26-25.
The Black Knights ran one more play, a five-yard pass from Hellums to Tobi Olawole that was followed by a series of laterals that ended the game.
A disappointed home crowd, hoping to celebrate Army’s sixth win of the season, poured out of Michie Stadium at the conclusion of the one-point affair. Army is now 5-5 (3-4 AAC), while Tulsa improves to 4-7 (1-6 AAC). The Black Knights’ next chance to secure bowl eligibility comes on Saturday, November 29th, when they travel to San Antonio for a conference showdown against UTSA at the Alamodome. The Roadrunners stand at 6-5 (4-3 AAC) after dismantling East Carolina 58-24 last weekend. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 PM ET with coverage on ESPN.
UTSA’s offense is led by redshirt junior quarterback Owen McCown, the son of longtime NFL signal-caller Josh McCown. The Rusk, Texas-native has been one of the AAC’s most efficient passers this season, completing 232 of 342 throws for 2,434 yards and 25 touchdowns. Primarily a pocket passer, McCown has added one rushing touchdown, but his greatest strength is his ability to distribute the football quickly and accurately across multiple receiving threats.
Senior running back Robert Henry Jr. powers the Roadrunners’ ground game. The 5-foot-9, 205-pound tailback has been a reliable workhorse all season, rushing for 983 yards and nine touchdowns on 138 carries. Out wide, junior Devin McCuin has emerged as one of McCown’s favorite targets, hauling in 52 receptions for 567 yards and seven touchdowns. McCuin missed this weekend’s game due to an undisclosed injury, and there have been no official updates regarding his status for the contest against Army.
Inside linebacker Shad Banks Jr. has been a cornerstone of the UTSA defense this season. The 6-foot-1, 230-pound enforcer leads the Roadrunners with 76 total tackles and has added one sack and three interceptions, showcasing his ability to impact the game at every level. A fierce defender with strong instincts, Banks is the centerpiece of a unit that thrives on pursuit and physicality.
For the Black Knights to seal bowl eligibility in San Antonio, they’ll need to control the clock with their ground game, limit McCown’s explosive passing opportunities, and finish drives with points. The Roadrunners’ offense can score in bunches, meaning Army’s ability to dictate the tempo and sustain long, methodical possessions will be critical in the Alamodome.
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Air Force Offense Nonexistent Against New Mexico
(U.S. Air Force/Trevor Cokley)
After losing starting quarterback Liam Szarka to an injury last week against UConn, the Air Force offense was nearly nonexistent this weekend against New Mexico. The Falcons narrowly avoided the shutout with a fourth quarter field goal by Reagan Tubbs. This field goal was Air Force’s only offensive highlight on Saturday night.
Kemper Hodges and Josh Johnson saw time behind center against the Lobos. Both men struggled to get anything going on the ground or through the air. Hodges completed a dismal one of five passes for five yards, while Johnson completed three of six throws for 46 yards. Hodges led the team in rushing, running for 50 yards on 20 carries. Wide receiver Jonah Dawson had two receptions for 28 yards, while Cade Harris pulled in two passes for 23 yards.
Linebackers Blake Fletcher and Brody Bujnoch had seven and six tackles, respectively, for the Falcons defense.
The New Mexico offense fared much better on Saturday. Quarterback Jack Layne had 105 yards through the air, completing 10 of 15 passes. He added 24 yards on the ground with a rushing touchdown. The Lobos other touchdown came from running back Damon Bankston, who had 10 carries for 61 yards. Wide receiver Keagan Johnson had four receptions for 55 yards.
New Mexico got standout defensive performances from linebacker Mercury Swaim, who finished with eight tackles and a sack, and cornerback Jon Johnson, who added three tackles and a key interception.
On the opening drive of the game, the Lobos ran nine plays on the way to a 12-yard touchdown run to the right by Layne. With Luke Drzewiecki’s extra point, New Mexico led 7-0 at 9:27 in the first.
Air Force ran five plays before punting on their opening possession. The Lobos responded with a 15-play extended drive that ate up 8:43 of the game clock and ended in a touchdown. Out of the shotgun, Bankston punched into the endzone on a two-yard rushing touchdown. New Mexico led 14-0 at 12:08 in the second quarter.
(U.S. Air Force/Trevor Cokley)
The Lobos defense applied excellent pressure to the Falcons offense on their next drive. A three yard loss on the run and incomplete pass preceded Hodges’ fumble on 2nd & 13 at the Air Force 22. The recovery was made by senior defensive tackle Okiki Olorunfunmi. With the ball turned over in Air Force territory, the Lobos got within field goal range on fourth down. Drzewiecki’s kick was good from 27 yards out, making the score 17-0 at the 9:42 mark of the second.
Air Force and New Mexico exchanged turnovers on downs, giving the Falcons one more drive before halftime. With just over a minute left, the Air Force’s five-play possession ended with a brutal sack on Hodges near the 50-yard line that ended the half.
The Lobos entered the locker room for halftime with a 17-0 lead.
To open the second half, Air Force had a 13-play, 7:12 possession. This clock draining drive ended with the Falcons turning the ball over on downs as Hodges’ pass to Quin Smith on 4th & 4 at the New Mexico 33-yard line was broken up by safety Austin Brawley.
A big sack by Air Force forced the Lobos to punt on their next possession. A 19-play possession led by junior quarterback Johnson finally helped the Falcons put up some points on the scoreboard. Tubbs’ 27-yard field goal attempt was good to make the score 17-3 at 10:12 in the fourth quarter.
After yet another long drive, New Mexico struck back with a field goal of their own. Drzewiecki’s field goal attempt from 23 yards was good at 3:59 in the fourth, making the score 20-3.
Johnson and Air Force got the ball back with under four minutes to play in regulation. Out of the no huddle-shotgun, Johnson was picked off by New Mexico cornerback Jon Johnson, his first of the season. This set up the game-winning possession for the Lobos, who are now 8-3 (5-2 MW). The Falcons fell to 3-8 (2-5 MW) on the season.
Air Force returns to action for its final game of the 2025 campaign on Friday, November 28th against MW rival Colorado State (2-9, 1-6 MW) at Canvas Stadium in Fort Collins. This Black Friday matchup between two of the bottom half teams in the conference is scheduled for a 3:00 PM ET kickoff, airing on Fox Sports.
The Rams are wrapping up one of its most disappointing seasons in program history. Between a midseason head coaching change and injuries, the team seems a far cry from their strong 2024 finish. Fourth year head coach Jay Norvell was fired after a 2-5 start earlier this season, with defensive coordinator Tyson Summers named interim head coach.
Behind center, the Rams have faced significant turmoil. Colorado State lost starting quarterback Jackson Brousseau in the November 15th matchup against New Mexico, forcing redshirt freshman Darius Curry into action. Curry started this past weekend in a 49-21 loss to Boise State, but he will not be available against Air Force after being suspended for spitting on an opposing player. With Curry sidelined and Brousseau injured, the Rams have yet to announce who will start at quarterback in the season finale. Colorado State enters the week as one of the nation’s lowest-performing teams, ranking 126th in points scored and 107th in points allowed, a reflection of the instability that has plagued the Rams all season.
Despite the uncertainty at quarterback, Air Force will look to steady itself heading into the season finale. After losing Szarka against UConn and struggling to generate offense against New Mexico, the Falcons will spend the week trying to rediscover their rhythm and lean on the few bright spots that remain, namely their physical ground game and a defense that continues to fight despite being on the field for extended stretches. Hodges and Johnson will both prepare to shoulder the offensive load, but whoever earns the start on Friday must protect the football and sustain drives to give the Falcons a chance. With bowl eligibility no longer in play, Air Force’s challenge now shifts to finishing the season on a strong note.
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Navy Set for Thanksgiving Day Showdown
Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy James Honea, congratulate Midshipmen quarterback Blake Horvath on an Army-Navy Game win, Dec. 14, 2024. (U.S. Navy/Chief Mass Communication Specialist Anna E. Van Nuys)
Last week, Navy star quarterback Blake Horvath was named a Heisman Trophy candidate, an extraordinary honor for a service academy player and a testament to the senior’s leadership and production this season. Despite battling recent injuries, Horvath is expected to suit up for Navy’s Week 14 road matchup against Memphis (8-3, 4-3 AAC). The nationally televised Thanksgiving night showdown on ESPN will take place at the Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, with kickoff set for 7:30 PM ET. This Thursday also marks Navy’s first game played on Thanksgiving since November 24, 1898, when the Mids defeated VMI 21-5 in Annapolis.
Memphis enters the contest as one of the AAC’s most explosive offensive teams, led by quarterback Brendon Lewis, who anchors the Tigers’ high-powered passing attack. The redshirt senior signal-caller has thrown for 2,395 yards and 13 touchdowns this season. His deep receiving corps includes standout wideout Cortez Braham Jr., the team’s leading receiver with 824 yards and seven touchdowns on 59 receptions. The Tigers complement their passing game with a strong ground attack paced by running back Sutton Smith, who has 644 yards and seven touchdowns on 96 carries.
For Navy, the formula remains familiar: control tempo with the rushing game, protect Horvath, and limit Memphis’ explosive plays. The Mids’ trio of Alex Tecza, Eli Heidenreich, and Brandon Chatman has been electric all season, each capable of breaking open a drive with a single big play. Navy’s defense will face one of its toughest challenges of the year, needing disciplined coverage and interior pressure to keep the Tigers from dictating the game’s rhythm early.
With AAC Championship implications still in play for the Midshipmen, Thanksgiving’s matchup has the potential to be one of the most consequential games of Navy’s modern era. A win in Memphis would solidify Navy as the clear conference frontrunner heading into the final week of the regular season.
The Road Ahead
This season’s closing stretch carries major stakes for all three service academies. Navy enters its Thanksgiving night showdown with Memphis needing a win to stay atop the AAC and maintain control of its championship hopes. Army, now 5-5, must regroup quickly before traveling to UTSA for another chance to secure bowl eligibility. Air Force, eliminated from postseason contention, heads to Fort Collins looking to finish a difficult season with pride and stability amid injuries and offensive inconsistency. Whether chasing a title, a bowl berth, or a respectable finish, Week 14 will determine how each program closes its 2025 campaign.
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