WEST POINT, N.Y. – In a brutal display of missed opportunities and raw resilience, Army’s Black Knights fell to North Texas 45-38 in overtime, a loss that feels more like a self-inflicted wound than a fair fight.
The Unforgiving First Quarter
From the opening whistle, the Army Black Knights looked like a team that had forgotten how to play fundamental football. Three first-quarter turnovers spotted North Texas a 21-0 lead that would haunt the Black Knights for the next three quarters. Quarterback Cale Hellums was a liability, tossing errant passes and mishandling exchanges that killed any offensive momentum.
The lone bright spot came from sophomore running back Briggs Bartosh, who electrified the crowd of 28,446 with a spectacular 75-yard touchdown run – his first career score and the 10th-longest rush in program history since 1996.
Coleman’s Heroic Comeback
Enter Dewayne Coleman, the senior quarterback who refused to let this game slip away. After replacing the struggling Hellums, Coleman ignited a comeback that nearly became the stuff of West Point legend. His 17-yard touchdown pass to Samari Howard cut the deficit to 28-14 at halftime, breathing life into what looked like a hopeless situation.
“Coach Worley called it an amazing play. The mob did their job as usual, protecting me. And you know Samari did a great job. It was 1-on-1, caught the ball in the end zone. And we gave ourselves a chance,” Coleman said post-game.
The Fourth Quarter Drama
Coleman’s magic continued in the final quarter with a spectacular 68-yard touchdown strike to Brady Anderson – tied for the 21st-longest reception in program history – that cut North Texas’ lead to 38-35 with 2:56 remaining. The Black Knights forced a crucial fumble on the ensuing possession, setting up Dawson Jones for a pressure-packed 23-yard field goal with nine seconds left to force overtime.
Overtime Heartbreak
In the extra session, North Texas struck first as Caleb Hawkins powered in his fourth rushing touchdown of the day. Army’s comeback bid took a devastating turn when Coleman exited with an injury, forcing Hellums back into the game. Facing fourth-and-5 from the North Texas 9-yard line, Hellums’ pass intended for Noah Short was tipped at the line and fell incomplete, sealing North Texas’ dramatic victory.
9/20/25, West Point , New York , Michie Stadium| The attendance for today’s Army vs North Texas matchup was 28,446. Mandatory Credit: Bad Dawg Sports/Jose Pichirilo 9/20/25, West Point , New York , Michie Stadium, Members of the U.S. Military Academy Band performed on the field at Michie Stadium during Army’s game against North Texas. Mandatory Credit: Bad Dawg Sports/Jose Pichirilo 9/20/25, West Point , New York , Michie Stadium, Army’s Corps of Cadets looked on from the cadet section during the matchup with North Texas. Mandatory Credit: Bad Dawg Sports/Jose Pichirilo 9/20/25, West Point , New York , Michie Stadium, North Texas fans cheered on their team throughout the matchup with Army. Mandatory Credit: Bad Dawg Sports/Jose Pichirilo 9/20/25, West Point , New York , Michie Stadium, An Army cadet looks on at the video board during a presentation at the Army vs. North Texas game. Mandatory Credit: Bad Dawg Sports/Jose Pichirilo 9/20/25, West Point , New York , Michie Stadium, Lieutenant General Steven W. Gilland was in attendance at today’s Army vs. North Texas matchup. Mandatory Credit: Bad Dawg Sports/Jose Pichirilo 9/20/25, West Point , New York , Michie Stadium, The Black Knights Parachute Team delivered a dramatic pregame jump into Michie Stadium before Army’s matchup with North Texas. Mandatory Credit: Bad Dawg Sports/Jose Pichirilo 9/20/25, West Point , New York , Michie Stadium, The Black Knights Parachute Team performed dramatic jumps into Michie Stadium prior to Army’s matchup against North Texas. Mandatory Credit: Bad Dawg Sports/Jose Pichirilo 9/20/25, West Point , New York , Michie Stadium, AAC Commissioner Tim Pernetti was in attendance for Army’s matchup against North Texas. Mandatory Credit: Bad Dawg Sports/Jose Pichirilo 9/20/25, West Point , New York , Michie Stadium, Athletics Director Tom Theodorakis attended today’s game against North Texas. Mandatory Credit: Bad Dawg Sports/Jose Pichirilo 9/20/25, West Point , New York , Michie Stadium, North Texas quarterback (#17) completed a pass to his wide receiver against Army. Mandatory Credit: Bad Dawg Sports/Jose Pichirilo 9/20/25, West Point , New York , Michie Stadium, Army cornerback Justin Weaver (#5) looked on during the matchup with North Texas. Mandatory Credit: Bad Dawg Sports/Jose Pichirilo 9/20/25, West Point , New York , Michie Stadium, Army cheerleaders energized the supporter section during the matchup with North Texas. Mandatory Credit: Bad Dawg Sports/Jose Pichirilo 9/20/25, West Point , New York , Michie Stadium, Army quarterback Dewayne Coleman (#10) broke a tackle and gained yardage against North Texas. Mandatory Credit: Jose Pichirilo. Bad Dawg Sports 9/20/25, West Point , New York , Michie Stadium, North Texas cornerback Da’Veawn Armstead (#2) recorded an interception against Army Mandatory Credit: Jose Pichirilo/Bad Dawg Sports 9/20/25, West Point , New York , Michie Stadium, Army quarterback (#10)Dewayne Coleman connected with Army wide receiver Brady Anderson (#84) on a 68-yard touchdown pass against North Texas. Mandatory Credit: Jose Pichirilo/Bad Dawg Sports 9/20/25, West Point , New York , Michie Stadium, Army running back Briggs Bartosh (#29) broke free for a 75-yard touchdown run in the first half against North Texas. Mandatory Credit: Jose Pichirilo/Bad Dawg Sports
The Brutal Reality Check
Head Coach Jeff Monken pulled no punches in his post-game assessment. “I’m positively pissed off. That’s what I’m positive about,” he stated bluntly. The numbers told a stark story: 23 missed tackles, three turnovers, and critical red zone failures that transformed a potential win into a gut-wrenching loss.
“Very difficult to win a football game when you spot a team 21 points and it’s turnover central in the first half,” Monken continued. “We’d just hang on to the ball. I think we’d give ourselves a chance. We didn’t do that.”
Statistical Breakdown
Army’s Offensive Highlights:
- Dewayne Coleman: 117 rushing yards, 101 passing yards, 3 total touchdowns
- Hayden Reed: 113 rushing yards, 1 touchdown on 19 carries
- Briggs Bartosh: 99 rushing yards, 1 touchdown on 8 carries
- Brady Anderson: 68-yard touchdown reception
North Texas Offensive Leaders:
- Caleb Hawkins: 99 rushing yards, 4 touchdowns on 13 carries
- Drew Mestemaker: 249 passing yards, 1 touchdown (26/36)
- Makenzie McGill II: 101 rushing yards, 1 touchdown
Critical Failures:
- 3 first-half turnovers
- 23 missed tackles
- Inconsistent red zone execution
The Harsh Truth
Safety Casey Larkin captured the team’s frustrating reality perfectly: “I think in a spot we are right now, these are winnable games. We have two overtime losses, and we could be 3-0 right now. So I think we’d be an awesome team, and I think we have an awesome team. Everybody plays their hardest every single weekend and week out. So I think we’re in a great spot; we just gotta finish.”
This team should be 3-0. Instead, they’re 1-2, with two heartbreaking overtime losses that will haunt them. The talent is there. The fight is there. But execution – that critical difference between winning and losing – remains frustratingly out of reach.
Looking Forward
East Carolina awaits in just five days. The Black Knights have precious little time to transform frustration into focused preparation. One thing is certain: this team won’t roll over.
“Our brotherhood harps on finishing and being tough. The tougher team, as part of our plan, I feel like everyone went out there and did that today,” Coleman reflected. “I’m very proud of our team’s effort. We have to work on the fundamentals and be better at our assignments to be able to win games.”Knights have precious little time to transform frustration into focused preparation. One thing is certain: this team won’t roll over.
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Carry On, Black Knights!
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