Black Knights Stifle Green Wave for Commanding AAC Title Win

© Danny Wild-Imagn Images

The No. 24 Army Black Knights (11-1, 8-0 American Athletic Conference) earned a dominant 35-14 win over the Tulane Green Wave (9-4, 7-1) to take home the AAC Championship in their first year in the conference.

On a frigid Dec. 6 night in West Point, N.Y., the Black Knights relied on a vengeful rushing attack led by quarterback Bryson Daily and a strong defensive effort to coast to an upset victory over the Green Wave. Daily finished with four rushing touchdowns, giving him 29 rushing TDs on the year and tying him with Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty for the most rushing TDs in the FBS.

Game Summary

Against a Black Knights team that relies on a methodical offense to control a game's tempo, Tulane knew its explosive offense needed to establish positive momentum early to have success. Tulane charged down the field on the game's opening drive. But a botched snap on their short field goal attempt left the Green Wave with zero points on the board.

Army worked the ball clinically down the field on the ensuing possession. It converted a short fourth down thanks to Daily's bruising run. Later, on third-and-goal from the 5-yard line, Daily capped off the 11-play, 72-yard drive with a downhill TD run to give Army an early 7-0 lead.

After another missed field goal by Tulane kicker Patrick Durkin, Army took its chance to take control of the game. Running back Kanye Udoh broke free for a 72-yard run, and Daily scored his second rushing TD to extend the Black Knights' lead to 14-0.

Miscues continued to hurt the Green Wave. Freshman quarterback Darian Mensah threw an untimely interception to give the Army offense optimal field position late in the second half. Daily capitalized on the short field with his third rushing TD.

Tulane managed to score on an explosive 42-yard catch-and-run play from wide receiver Mario Williams to put points on the board before halftime, but the damage had been done. Army led 21-7. The Tulane defense needed to figure things out quickly to give the Green Wave a real chance at a second-half comeback.

Army refused to blink after halftime, though, and remained poised and confident on both sides of the ball. Daily capped off an 11-play, 75-yard drive to start the second half with his fourth rushing TD of the game to maintain the Black Knights' momentum. His score made it 28-7 Black Knights.

After stopping the Tulane offense on fourth down on the ensuing possession, the Black Knights' offense worked methodically down the field once again. Udoh bulldozed his way into the end zone for his first TD to cap off a 16-play Army scoring drive. Tulane responded with a TD drive late, but Army's five rushing TDs and 338 total rushing yards were enough to earn a dominant 35-14 AAC Championship win.

Turning Point for Black Knights

Faced with a fourth-and-1 on its own 25-yard line and holding a 28-7 lead, Army had a decision to make. They could stay conservative and punt the ball, thereby forcing Tulane to drive down a long field to put points on the board. Or, Army could stick with the aggressive strategy that worked so well all game long and go for the first down.

For Army head coach Jeff Monken, it was never a choice. He trusted his dynamic quarterback to get the first down, and Daily rewarded his confidence with a bruising fourth-down run for the conversion. Udoh capped off the 16-play, 84-yard drive that took nearly 11 minutes off the clock with a short rushing TD.

What it Means

The win gives Army its first-ever conference championship in school history in its first year in the AAC. In his 11th year at the helm, Monken has established the Black Knights as a physical team on both sides of the ball. While Daily led national headlines in Army's storybook season, the Black Knights' tenacious defense deserves just as much credit for the team's success in 2024. Army now turns its attention to its historic rivalry game against the Navy Midshipmen (8-3, 6-2) with the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy on the line.

© Danny Wild-Imagn Images

After surfacing at the fringe of the College Football Playoff conversation just two weeks ago, the Green Wave will likely consider their 9-4 season a disappointment. Tulane still has a chance at a 10-win season in head coach Jon Sumrall's first year, though. The Green Wave are stacked with promising young talent at key skill positions. If they can retain Sumrall, Mensah, and running back Makhi Hughes, then Tulane will be right back in the CFP conversation in 2025. For now, Tulane will await its bowl placement to be announced after the conclusion of this week's games.