Army Rugby Dominates Air Force 52-7 in Halloween Showdown at Altitude

Black Knights deliver commanding performance in Colorado Springs, extending academy rivalry dominance to 14-2 all-time

USAF Academy, Colorado – Army West Point men’s rugby turned Halloween into a house of horrors for Air Force on Friday afternoon, delivering a dominant 52-7 victory at 6,621 feet above sea level. The Black Knights’ commanding performance at the USAF Academy extended their all-time series lead to 14-2 and improved their season record to an impressive 6-1.

What was billed as a test of Army’s ability to handle cross-country travel, thin mountain air, and a compressed preparation week turned into a masterclass in service academy rugby excellence. The Black Knights scored eight tries, converted six of them, and never allowed Air Force to threaten, holding the Falcons scoreless until a consolation try in the 86th minute.

John Benson set the tone just four minutes into the match, and from there, it was all Army. The Black Knights’ relentless attack, suffocating defense, and superior conditioning proved that altitude is no match for West Point discipline and preparation.

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First Half: Army Strikes Early and Often

The Black Knights wasted no time establishing dominance in the thin Colorado air. Just four minutes into the contest, John Benson crashed over for the opening try, giving Army a 5-0 lead. Kolbet Schrichte calmly slotted the conversion, and the rout was on at 7-0.

Air Force, already struggling with a 1-3 record coming into the match, had no answers for Army’s physicality and tactical precision. The Falcons’ home-field altitude advantage—so often a weapon against visiting teams—proved useless against a Black Knights squad that had prepared meticulously for the challenge.

Nine minutes later, Luke Lentfer extended the lead to 12-0 with Army’s second try of the afternoon. The Black Knights were moving the ball with surgical precision, exploiting gaps in the Falcons’ defense and imposing their will in the breakdown.

By the 31st minute, the game was effectively over. Nick Trout powered through for Army’s third try, and Schrichte’s conversion made it 19-0. The Black Knights were dominating every phase of play—scrums, lineouts, rucks, and open-field running. The Falcons looked overwhelmed, unable to match the Black Knights’ speed, strength, or stamina despite playing at their home altitude.

Head coach Matt Sherman’s squad wasn’t finished. Just before halftime, Richard Corbett III added another try at the 37-minute mark, pushing the advantage to 24-0 as the teams headed to the break.

Army had turned what many expected to be a competitive academy rivalry into a one-sided Halloween statement for the visiting team.

Second Half: No Mercy from the Black Knights

If Air Force hoped for a halftime adjustment to stem the tide, those hopes were dashed almost immediately. Just two minutes into the second half, Keegan Lynch scored Army’s fifth try. Schrichte’s conversion made it 31-0, and the Black Knights showed no signs of letting up.

One minute later—yes, one minute—Porter Kuebler added another try. This time, Richard Corbett III took over conversion duties and split the uprights to make it 38-0. The Black Knights were scoring at will, and the Falcons had no answers.

The altitude that was supposed to sap Army’s energy and slow their attack? It might as well have been sea level. The Black Knights’ conditioning, preparation, and warrior mentality rendered the environmental challenge irrelevant.

At the 61st minute, Phil Roll joined the try-scoring party, and Corbett III converted again to push the lead to 45-0. Army’s depth was on full display, with fresh legs continuing to punish a battered and demoralized Air Force squad.

Max Welling capped the Black Knights’ scoring in the 76th minute with Army’s eighth try of the afternoon. Corbett III’s conversion made it 52-0, and the only question remaining was whether Air Force could avoid the shutout.

To their credit, the Falcons finally broke through in the 86th minute with a consolation try and conversion, making the final score 52-7. But by then, the outcome had long been decided, and Army’s dominance was complete.

Scoring Summary

4′ | John Benson – Try | 5-04′ | Kolbet Schrichte – Conversion | 7-0

13′ | Luke Lentfer – Try | 12-0

31′ | Nick Trout – Try | 17-031′ | Kolbet Schrichte – Conversion | 19-0

37′ | Richard Corbett III – Try | 24-0

HALFTIME: Army 24, Air Force 0

43′ | Keegan Lynch – Try | 29-043′ | Kolbet Schrichte – Conversion | 31-0

44′ | Porter Kuebler – Try | 36-044′ | Richard Corbett III – Conversion | 38-0

61′ | Phil Roll – Try | 43-061′ | Richard Corbett III – Conversion | 45-0

76′ | Max Welling – Try | 50-076′ | Richard Corbett III – Conversion | 52-0

86′ | Air Force – Try | 52-586′ | Air Force – Conversion | 52-7

FINAL: Army 52, Air Force 7

Key Performances

Kolbet Schrichte: The conversion specialist was perfect when called upon, going 3-for-3 in the first half and helping Army build an insurmountable lead. His accuracy and composure under pressure were critical in turning tries into maximum points.

Richard Corbett III: Not only did Corbett score a try himself, but he also took over conversion duties in the second half and went 3-for-3. His versatility and reliability made him one of the standout performers in the victory.

John Benson: Set the tone with the opening try just four minutes in, immediately putting Air Force on their heels and establishing Army’s dominance.

The Entire Army Squad: This was a complete team performance. Eight different players scored tries, showcasing the depth and talent throughout the roster. From the forwards dominating the breakdown to the backs exploiting space in the open field, every phase of the Black Knights’ game was firing on all cylinders.

Coach Sherman: “A Step Forward on Our Season’s Journey”

Head coach Matt Sherman was pleased with his team’s performance in the challenging road environment, praising their mental approach and execution.

“I thought our boys showed up with the right mentality despite a short week and long travel and also played with strong discipline,” Sherman said after the victory. “Overall, I thought it was a very positive performance from a young group and a step forward on our season’s journey.”

Sherman’s emphasis on mentality and discipline was evident throughout the match. The Black Knights never wavered, never let the altitude or travel fatigue become an excuse, and executed their game plan with precision from the opening whistle to the final try.

For a young squad to travel cross-country on short rest and deliver such a complete performance speaks volumes about the culture Sherman has built at West Point. This wasn’t just a win—it was a statement about the program’s trajectory and championship potential.

Altitude? What Altitude?

One of the major storylines heading into this match was whether Army could handle the 6,621-foot elevation at the USAF Academy. Visiting teams often struggle with the thin air, experiencing fatigue, shortness of breath, and diminished performance.

The Black Knights made a mockery of that concern.

Army’s conditioning, preparation, and mental toughness were on full display. Not only did they not slow down as the match progressed—they got stronger. Scoring 28 points in the second half, including four tries in a blistering 33-minute stretch, the Black Knights proved that no environmental challenge is too great for a team built on West Point discipline and warrior ethos.

Head coach Matt Sherman had said before the match: “This challenge is a great opportunity for us to take another step forward and upward in our journey, and we’re looking forward to getting after it.”

Mission accomplished, coach. Army got after it, and then some.

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Defensive Dominance

While the offensive fireworks grabbed the headlines, Army’s defense deserves equal praise. The Black Knights held Air Force scoreless for 86 minutes, suffocating the Falcons’ attack and forcing turnovers throughout the match.

Air Force managed just one try—a consolation score in the final minutes when the outcome was long decided. For 86 minutes, the Falcons were completely shut down, unable to penetrate Army’s disciplined defensive structure.

The Black Knights’ ability to win the breakdown, disrupt Air Force’s passing lanes, and tackle with ferocity made life miserable for the home team. This was a masterclass in defensive rugby, and it complemented the offensive onslaught perfectly.

Series Dominance Continues

With the 52-7 victory, Army extended its all-time series lead over Air Force to 14-2. The Black Knights have now won three consecutive meetings, outscoring the Falcons 138-27 in that span.

This isn’t just a rivalry—it’s a statement of superiority. Army has owned this matchup for years, and Friday’s performance only reinforced that dominance.

For Air Force, now 1-4 on the season, the loss is a harsh reminder of the gap between the two programs. The Falcons will need to regroup quickly and find answers if they hope to compete with elite academy rugby programs.

For Army, the victory is another step in what is shaping up to be a special season. At 6-1, the Black Knights are proving they belong among the nation’s elite collegiate rugby programs.

What’s Next

Army returns home to Anderson Rugby Complex next week for a highly anticipated 6:00 p.m. matchup against Penn State on Thursday, November 7. The Black Knights will look to carry the momentum from this dominant road victory into another challenging contest.

Penn State will provide a stern test, but if Army plays with the same intensity, discipline, and execution they showed in Colorado Springs, the Nittany Lions will have their hands full.

For the Air Force, the season continues with more Rocky Mountain Conference play as they search for answers and try to salvage a difficult campaign.

Black Knight News

Final Stats:

• Tries: Army 8, Air Force 1
• Conversions: Army 6-8 (Schrichte 3-3, Corbett III 3-3), Air Force 1-1
• Final Score: Army 52, Air Force 7
• Army Record: 6-1 overall
• Air Force Record: 1-4 overall
• All-Time Series: Army leads 14-2

Try Scorers:

• John Benson (4′)
• Luke Lentfer (13′)
• Nick Trout (31′)
• Richard Corbett III (37′)
• Keegan Lynch (43′)
• Porter Kuebler (44′)
• Phil Roll (61′)
• Max Welling (76′)

Conversion Leaders:

• Kolbet Schrichte: 3-for-3
• Richard Corbett III: 3-for-3

Next Match:

• vs. Penn State
• Thursday, November 7, 2025
• 6:00 p.m. ET
• Anderson Rugby Complex, West Point, NY

Game Notes

• Army improved to 6-1 on the season with the dominant road victory
• The Black Knights scored eight tries, their highest output of the season
• Army held Air Force scoreless for 86 minutes before a late consolation try
• The victory extended Army’s winning streak in the series to three games
• Eight different Black Knights scored tries, showcasing the team’s depth
• Kolbet Schrichte and Richard Corbett III combined to go 6-for-6 on conversions
• The 52-7 final score represents Army’s largest margin of victory over Air Force in the modern era
• Army’s conditioning and preparation nullified Air Force’s altitude advantage
• The Black Knights outscored the Falcons 28-7 in the second half
• Army has now outscored Air Force 138-27 over the last three meetings

Match Details

• Date: Friday, October 31, 2025 (Halloween)
• Time: 3:00 p.m. MT / 5:00 p.m. ET
• Location: USAF Academy, Colorado Springs, CO
• Elevation: 6,621 feet
• Attendance: Not reported
• Weather: Clear, cool conditions
• All-Time Series: Army leads 14-2
• Previous Meeting: Army 43, Air Force 20 (2024)

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