With just three games left in the 2025 season, Army is set to play its final home game this season as they welcome the Tulsa Golden Hurricanes back to West Point for the first time since 2007.
Getting back to business this week after being idle last weekend, the Black Knights are looking to accomplish one of their preseason goals with a win: to clinch a bowl game.
Senior Day at Michie
Army has been very successful on Senior Day at Michie Stadium, posting a record of 10-1 (.909%) under Jeff Monken. They’ll look to make that eleven wins on Saturday.
“The opportunity to get back out here to Michie Stadium, playing at home to honor our seniors, it’s got our team excited just to be able to play here one more time,” head coach Jeff Monken said to begin his pre-game press conference.
The Black Knights will recognize 23 players on Senior Day, with notable names like Noah Short, Casey Larkin, Hayden Reed, and many others set to play in their final game at Michie Stadium.
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Linebacker duo Andon Thomas and Kalib Fortner are two key seniors getting ready to wear the black & gold one last time at home. Thomas and Fortner are both captains this season for this defense and have been vital to this team since setting foot on post. “They’ve both been super productive, said Monken. “Both have been in this locker room together for four years and developed and grown, not just as players, but as leaders.”
A fun little stat: To go along with being a Campbell Trophy finalist, the academic Heisman, Thomas is averaging 5.22 solo tackles per game. That ranks first in the American Conference and ninth best in the nation.
Unsung Heroes: The Holder
This senior class isn’t just special because of the stars you see every single snap, but because of the players who have been able to carve out roles for themselves, helping the team get where they want to be on and off the field.
Franklin, Tennessee native Cooper Allen was one of the first guys mentioned by Jeff Monken. “Two years ago, James Wagon Seller beat him out last year and took the job. James is the starter again this year. But Cooper has found himself a role as the holder, and nobody notices that guy.”
On the kick that helped Army defeat Air Force in Colorado Springs, it was Allen holding the ball that sophomore kicker Dawson Jones sent through the uprights in front of a national audience.
“No, I mean, it was very exciting. We got a great operation between Owen, Walter, and Dustin Jones, and all the guys up front protecting us. So, going out there, I had no doubt in my mind we were going to make that and just tried to ensure the victory for us.”
Upon graduation in the next couple of months, Allen is looking forward to branching into either Armor or Field Artillery.
Unsung Heroes: “Glue Guys” on the Offensive Line
Two other players Jeff Monken mentioned were Ned Brady and Tanner Bivens, two offensive linemen who rarely see the field. “They’ve gotten some snaps and starts on the PAT protection team, that’s their role, that’s their job. And so when they get asked to go out there and do it, they’re gonna take a lot of pride in it and do it as well as they can.”
Bivens has made just two appearances on the offensive line in the past two seasons and talked about how “exciting” it was for him. “It’s been a long time coming, especially with injury,” said Bivens. “I got injured right before the season last year and kind of got— I never made it back, so getting in was very cool. My mom got to see that, which I was excited about. Hopefully, I get the shot to get in down the stretch right here.”
On the other hand, Ned Brady says that his main contribution to the team has been serving as a “glue guy” for this Army team. “I’ve been a glue guy over the years, helping the guys have a positive attitude through practice, working hard in practice, and challenging the dudes I’ve always been behind my whole career.”
Saturday won’t just be the last game at Michie for guys like Noah Short and Casey Larkin, but also for others, including kicker/safety Charlie Barnett, running back Sebastian Shannon, kickoff specialist Anderson Britton, and many more.
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Six Wins = Bowl Game
With a win against Tulsa Saturday afternoon at Michie Stadium, the Black Knights would clinch a bowl game for the seventh time in the Jeff Monken era. A win would also mark Monken’s ninth season winning 6+ games at West Point.
After a disappointing 1-3 start that included a loss to FCS Tarleton State, Army has found their way. The Black Knights have won four out of their last five games, with the only loss to Tulane, a game they should have won.
If you come out victorious on Saturday, it takes all the pressure off the team’s shoulders heading into their post-Thanksgiving game against UTSA. This will be a must-win game against a Golden Hurricanes team you are favored by -10.5 points.
One thing to note: running back Hayden Reed is moving to slot back, per Jeff Monken. “His versatility gives you opportunities to get the best 11 [players] on the field at times,” said offensive coordinator Cody Worley. “I think, you know, at the running back position, we’ve had a stable of guys that have emerged. And I think Hayden gives us flexibility.”
Tulsa Breakdown
Tulsa (3-7, 0-6 AAC) is coming off their first win since mid September, defeating Oregon State 31-14 last weekend. The Golden Hurricanes are in their first season under head coach Tre Lamb.
Starting quarterback Baylor Hayes is coming off a 12/19, 163-yard, and one touchdown performance against the Beavers. Hayes has accumulated 1,732 yards and a 2:1 (10 TD & 5 INT) touchdown-to-interception ratio through eight games. His main target in 2025 is tight-end Brody Foley, who leads the team with seven receiving touchdowns.
But the team’s main weapon comes via Dominic Richardson in the running game. The senior has 862 yards (4.7 yards per carry) in ten games but has struggled to find the endzone, scoring just four times this season.
Keys to Victory
For Army to extend its winning streak to three games and clinch a spot in a bowl game this holiday season, several factors will be critical:
1. Winning the Line of Scrimmage and Establishing the Run: Army’s offense is one of the best in the nation in rushing yards (4th in FBS). This strength directly targets one of Tulsa’s weaknesses, which has one of the worst rush defenses in the country (103rd in rushing yards allowed per game).
2. Continue Defensive Dominance and Force Turnovers: Army’s defense is above average this season in scoring defense (43rd) and total defense (42nd). They also have a strong +3 turnover margin (40th in FBS), while Tulsa has a poor -6 turnover margin (115th).
3. Limiting Third-Down Defensive Conversions: One area where Army’s defense has struggled is third-down defense, ranking 115th in the FBS by allowing opponents to convert on $43.8% of third downs.
4. Avoiding Penalties and Mental Mistakes: Army averages 26.6 penalty yards per game, the second-least penalized team in the FBS. This discipline is a massive advantage in close games.
If the Black Knights play their game, like they did on that final drive against Temple, they will come out victorious against Tulsa on Senior Day and will have clinched an opportunity at one extra game this upcoming Bowl season.
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