By: J.J. Pavlick | West Point, NY | September 3, 2026 |

West Point, NY—The 2026 Army football season opens with a sense of renewal that stretches far beyond the field. Michie Stadium Preserved by USAA debuts its fully completed East Stands, the Healy Club opens as the new broadcast home of This Week in Army Football, and the Corps of Cadets moves into what Jeff Monken calls “literally the best seats in the house,” positioned directly behind the visiting bench. The stadium feels closer, louder, and more defined—a venue reborn just in time for Army’s season opener against a Bryant team that arrives already 1–0 after a commanding fourth‑quarter surge at Stonehill. Army preview

Monken and Rich DeMarco opened the broadcast season from the Healy Club with a simple message: this Army team is built on leadership, toughness, and continuity. “We’ve got a senior‑heavy locker room,” Monken said. “A lot of these guys have been together four, five years.” It’s a foundation he believes will matter immediately.

Army’s Identity: Veteran Strength Up Front, Stability at Quarterback

The offensive line is the anchor—five seniors, all returning starters, all battle‑tested. Center Brady Small remains the emotional core of the group. Monken didn’t hesitate: “He epitomizes what we want this program to be—tough, rugged, blue-collar, fighting really hard on every play.”

Quarterback Cale Helms returns with a full year of starts behind him, and Monken praised the growth he’s shown since last season’s quarterback battle. “He’s developed as a leader,” Monken said. “More confident. More in command.” Behind him, Bryson Luter and Ethan Washington bring contrasting skill sets—Luter, the elusive runner, Washington the sharpest passer in the room.

The run‑heavy identity remains unchanged. God’spower Owoh‑Ehi, who exploded for 170 yards and two long touchdowns in the Fenway Bowl, returns as a breakout threat. Samari Howard moves into a larger role opposite Noah Short’s former position, giving Army more flexibility in the option game. Army offense

A Deep Defensive Line, a New Coordinator, and a Rebuilt Back Seven

The defense enters 2026 with a new coordinator—Darrell Dixon, a decade on staff and now the architect of Army’s next evolution. Mays, the senior cornerback from Fairfield, Ohio, praised Dixon’s impact: “He invests so much in the people around him that you feel obligated to do your best for him.”

Army’s defensive line is the deepest unit on the roster. Cody Harris‑Miller anchors a rotation that includes Jack Bassam, Dylan Stowers, Sean Donovan, Javon Smith, Nick Buckeys, Matt Gemma, Poe, Baker, and Newton. But behind them, the back seven is almost entirely new. Inside linebackers Elijah Walton and Jaquavius Moss replace Fortner and Thomas. Depth comes from Bryson Banks, Kai Woolfolk, and Nick McGlynn.

Mays, one of three returning starters in the secondary, offered the most telling assessment: “Everybody that’s going to start has played in the game and made significant plays.” Army defense

Player Spotlight: Jaden Mays

Mays’ class ring arrived last week—yellow gold, amethyst stone, and two diamonds—a tangible reminder of the journey toward becoming a second lieutenant. He had a pendant made for his mother to match it. His favorite moment on game day? “Singing the fight song in the locker room after a win.”

He enters Saturday confident in the defense’s ability to settle quickly despite the lack of Week Zero reps. “We settle in fast,” he said. “We trust each other.” Jaden Mays

Bryant Arrives at 1–0 After a Fourth‑Quarter Breakaway

Bryant’s 24–6 win over Stonehill wasn’t decided until the fourth quarter—but once the Bulldogs seized control, they never let go. They outscored Stonehill 17–3 in the final frame and outgained them 111–91, turning a tight game into a comfortable season‑opening victory. Bryant momentum

Running back OJ Ross delivered the night’s defining performance: 102 yards and a touchdown in his Bryant debut, including 57 yards on the drive that produced the game’s opening score. Jordan Bennett added 45 yards and his first career touchdown, while quarterback Brennan Myer played clean, controlled football—108 passing yards and a one‑yard rushing touchdown.

Defensively, Bryant produced a strip sack from Gideon Bedada, a sack and two tackles for loss from Toby Brown Jr., and a momentum‑shifting punt block from Omaris McMiller Jr. Bryant’s defense

Monken respects what’s coming: “They’re well‑coached. They’ve got FBS‑caliber players. And they’ve already corrected Week‑1 mistakes on tape.” Bryant also reached out to Navy for prep on Army’s scheme—a sign of how seriously they’re taking Saturday’s stage.

Special Teams: Hidden Yards Matter

Monken singled out three specialists whose offseason work stood out:

• Dawson Jones, now handling both placekicking and kickoffs after adding power in the weight room.
• Anderson Britton, taking over kickoff returns after being “a great weapon” last season.
• James Wagenseller, the veteran punter Monken, hopes he “doesn’t have to use at all.”
• Owen Walter, long snapper and captain—“a rare athlete at the position,” with coaches even discussing using him at H‑back. Army special teams

A Stadium Reborn: The New Michie Experience

The Michie Stadium Preservation Project reshapes game day from top to bottom:

• 4,400 cadets now sit directly behind the visiting bench.
• Healy Club levels 3 and 4 open with premium hospitality and the new broadcast home for This Week in Army Football.
• Victory Plaza expands pre‑game activation, concessions, and a 900‑square‑foot gift shop.
• The Lessee Army Sports Hall of Fame relocates into a high‑traffic space, making it unmissable on game days. Michie Stadium

“It’s a vision that’s been in place a long time,” Monken said. “Now it’s funded, built, and opening to fans.”

What Fans Need to Know Before Arriving at West Point

Clear Bag Policy

Fans may bring:

• One clear bag up to 12″ x 6″ x 12″, or
• One clear gallon‑size freezer bag
• One small clutch/wallet up to 8″ x 5″ x 2″

Prohibited items include backpacks, coolers, fanny packs, outside food or drink, water bottles, weapons, umbrellas, banners, signs, noise makers, pets, professional camera equipment, and smoking within the stadium footprint. clear bag policy

Enhanced Screening

Michie Stadium will use OPENGATE walk‑through weapons‑detection systems at every gate. Fans do not need to remove phones, keys, watches, or loose change.

Arrive early—both to navigate the new procedures and to experience the debut of the East Stands.

New Food & Beverage Options: A Revamped Culinary Experience

Army’s partnership with Levy unlocks a dramatically expanded concessions lineup—more points of sale, more variety, and elevated menu offerings designed to match the scale of the stadium renovation.

East Stands—200 Level

The Smokehouse (East Stands – 200 level)
House-smoked BBQ classics, including the Pulled Chicken Stacker (smoked chicken topped with BBQ and coleslaw on a warm potato bun), Loaded Tank Nachos (crispy tortilla chips loaded with fans’ choice of pulled pork or chicken, topped with pico de gallo, cheese sauce, and sour cream in a custom tank box), and Chow Time Nachos (chips, cheese sauce, pico de gallo, jalepenos, and sour cream).

Frank Formation (East Stands – 200 level)
Game-day favorites made fresh, including New York-style hot dogs (all-beef hot dogs with onion sauce, spicy brown mustard, remoulade, and sauerkraut), the Base Camp Dog, and chicken tenders. Peanuts, Cracker Jack, and boxed candy snacks are also available.

Armor Grill (East Stands – 200 level)
Signature Steak Frites (seared flank steak, au poivre sauce, crispy fries, and fresh chives) and the Regiment Burger (custom brisket blend burger, bacon jam, and American cheese served in a “ration box”).

Taco Troop (East Stands – 200 level)
Carne Asada Tacos (slided ribeye, tomarillo, avocado salsa, cilantro, diced onion, and corn tortillas) and Chicken Tinga Tacos (chicken tinga, cilantro lime crema, pickled red onions, and corn tortillas).

Victory Plaza Level

Ben’s Pretzels (East Stands – Victory Plaza level)
Warm Salted Pretzels, Cinnamon-Sugar Pretzels, and Pretzel-Wrapped Hot Dogs.

Kickoff & Broadcast

Army (0–0) vs. Bryant (1–0) Saturday, September 5, 2026, 12:00 PM ET—Michie Stadium Preserved by USAA CBS Sports Network Airtime: 10:00 AM on the Army Sports Network

A veteran offense, a rebuilt defense, a battle‑tested opponent, and a stadium reborn. Week 1 won’t just reveal who Army is—it will reveal who they can become.