MANHATTAN, Kan. — Under the lights at Bill Snyder Family Stadium, the Army Black Knights overcame a 13-point deficit to defeat Kansas State 24-21 on Saturday night, marking their first victory over a Big 12 opponent since 2006 and first power conference road win since 2016.
Hellums Makes History
Junior quarterback Cale Hellums, making his first career start, delivered a record-breaking performance that will be remembered in Army football lore. The Tomball, Texas native rushed for 124 yards on a program-record 41 carries while completing 7 of 11 passes for 43 yards and one touchdown.
Hellums’ 41 total rushes were the most by any player in a single game in program history, marking consecutive weeks that an Army starting quarterback has eclipsed 100 rushing yards.
Coach Jeff Monken praised Hellums’ performance: “I think his effort tonight, his poise, his toughness, physical, he’s just a competitor and a winner. It’s just exactly what we recruited.”
Linebacker Andon Thomas added: “He’s put in so much work for his third year here, really fourth year here, being at prep. We’re all so proud of him.”
Second-Half Dominance
The Black Knights’ transformation after halftime was nothing short of remarkable. Army outgained Kansas State 192-48 in total yardage during the second half, including a staggering 143-5 advantage in rushing yards. The visitors controlled the ball for 26:59 of the final 30 minutes compared to Kansas State’s 3:01.
Army’s 237 rushing yards represented the most allowed by a Kansas State team since 2023, showcasing the effectiveness of the Black Knights’ signature triple-option attack.
Kansas State head coach Chris Klieman acknowledged the physical toll of Army’s approach: “When you’re running the ball for three yards and two yards and then four yards, and you’re getting cut at your knees every play, which is legal, and you’re trying to tackle that fullback and that quarterback all day long, it gets to wear on you.”
Comeback Victory
Trailing 21-14 in the fourth quarter, Army demonstrated the resilience that has defined their recent success. After cutting the deficit to 21-17 with a 35-yard field goal by Dawson Jones, the Black Knights recovered their own kickoff when Anderson Britton’s attempt deflected off a Kansas State player.
The ensuing 14-play, 56-yard drive consumed 7:51 of game clock and featured two crucial fourth-down conversions. Hellums capped the drive with a 14-yard touchdown run with 2:55 remaining, giving Army a 24-21 lead they would never relinquish.
Defensive Heroes
Safety Collin Matteson emerged as the defensive star, making two critical plays in the game’s final minutes. After breaking up a deep pass with 2:17 remaining, Matteson sealed the victory with an interception at the Army 46-yard line with 1:35 left on the clock.
Linebacker Andon Thomas led the team with nine tackles, including eight solo stops, anchoring a defense that held Kansas State to just 246 total yards.
Matteson explained the defensive mindset: “We pride ourselves on not flinching. So regardless of what happened, fumble or incomplete pass, we didn’t flinch.”
Fourth-Down Mastery
Army’s aggressive approach on fourth down proved decisive, converting 6 of 7 attempts overall and going perfect 5-for-5 in the second half. This included two fourth-down conversions on the game-winning drive, demonstrating head coach Jeff Monken’s confidence in his team’s execution.
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Historical Significance
The victory improved Army to 3-0 all-time against Kansas State, with their last meeting in 1987 resulting in a 41-14 win. More significantly, it marked the Black Knights’ first power conference road victory since defeating Wake Forest 21-13 on October 29, 2016.
Army’s recent success continues an impressive run, as the Black Knights are now 17-3 in their last 20 games dating back to November 2023—tied for the second-best winning percentage nationally, trailing only Oregon.
Statistical Breakdown
Offensive Highlights
Passing
- Cale Hellums: 7/11, 43 yards, 1 TD
- Avery Johnson (K-State): 15/25, 172 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing
- Cale Hellums: 41 carries, 124 yards, 2 TDs (program record 41 rushes)
- Joe Jackson (K-State): 7 carries, 30 yards
- Noah Short: 10 carries, 61 yards
Receiving
- Brady Anderson (Army): 3 catches, 64 yards, 1 TD
- Jaron Tibbs (K-State): 5 catches, 61 yards, 1 TD
Defensive Standouts
Top Tacklers
- Des Purnell (K-State): 10 total tackles
- Austin Romaine (K-State): 10 total tackles
- Andon Thomas (Army): 9 total tackles
Key Defensive Plays
- Collin Matteson (Army): Game-sealing interception
- Kalib Fortner (Army): Critical tackles in key moments
Special Teams
Field Goals
- Luis Rodriguez (K-State): 2/2 (34, 38 yards)
- Dawson Jones (Army): 1/1 (35 yards)
Kickoff Returns
- Bryce Noernberg (K-State): 99-yard kickoff return touchdown
Looking Ahead
Despite the loss, Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson remained optimistic: “Just got to put it in the rear view, grab things that we did well and fix things that we didn’t do well going into next week, treat it like a one-week season and get after Arizona.”
With this statement victory, Army (1-1) has positioned itself as a team to watch in the college football landscape. The Black Knights are idle next weekend before returning to action at Michie Stadium on Saturday, September 20, against North Texas.
The victory showcased Army West Point’s trademark persistence and physical style, proving that its unique approach can still compete with and defeat Power 4 opponents on the road.
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