Army rebounds to upend Texas-San Antonio, 31-13
SAN ANTONIO (AP) - Army bounced back from an emotional loss to roll past Texas-San Antonio 31-13 Saturday at the Alamodome.
The Black Knights' triple-option offense continued to confound after nearly upsetting then seventh-ranked Michigan on Sept. 7 before falling 24-21 in double overtime in Ann Arbor, Mich.
Senior defensive back Elijah Riley said the Black Knights moved on from the loss quickly, but not everyone was able to forget so easily.
"I'm glad they forgot about it right away," Army coach Jeff Monkey said. "I didn't forget about that; I don't know if I'll ever forget about that. So, good for them. Losses like that are going to linger. They're hard, they are hard to overcome. When you've got the No. 7 team beat in their stadium it's going to linger and it's hard to come back from."
Monken admitted he was worried about a letdown, but he shouldn't have.
Aiding Army's recovery was a late switch at quarterback against UTSA. Jabari Laws started in place of an injured Kevin Hokins Jr. and the Black Knights responded with their most prolific output of the season.
Army (2-1) generated season-highs in total yards with 358 and rushing yards with 340 against UTSA (1-2).
"We knew what to expect from this team, but it's very hard to emulate that," Roadrunners coach Frank Wilson said of the Black Knights' triple-option offense. "So, even when we practiced it, it probably was not at the speed that it was today."
Laws first career snap resulted in a 35-yard run. The Black Knights would score 53 seconds into the game, driving 75 yards on three plays capped by Kell Walker's 26-yard rushing touchdown.
"It was definitely awesome," Laws said. "All my teammates, they rallied behind me and I really appreciate them. I really couldn't have done it without them."
It was the fastest opening score in Monken's 10-year career.
Walker added a second rushing touchdown and Laws and Connor Slomka each added one to propel Army.
UTSA's initial touchdown came on a two-yard dive by quarterback Lowell Narcisse. The Roadrunners scored after converting on fourth-and-eight at the Black Knights' 33-yard line.
UTSA was held to 51 yards rushing and lost two fumbles.
THE TAKEAWAY
Army: The Black Knights continue to thrive under Monken. Army has won three straight bowl games and closed last season with 13 straight victories. The offense continues to dazzle but the defense is limiting opponents to 281 yards per game this season.
UTSA: Frank Wilson is off to another slow start in his fourth season in charge of the Roadrunners. UTSA is 1-2 despite returning 15 starters from last season's team that opened 0-3. The Roadrunners started 0-3 in 2016 and qualified for the New Mexico Bowl but are 5-12 over the past three seasons. Wilson has one year remaining on a five-year contract he signed prior to the 2016 season.
UP NEXT
Army: Welcomes Morgan State to Michie Stadium next Saturday. The Black Knights throttled the Bears 60-3 in their previous matchup, Nov. 19, 2016, at West Point, N.Y.
UTSA: Opens Conference USA by traveling to North Texas Saturday. The Roadrunners are 3-3 against the Mean Green but have lost two straight, including a 24-21 loss Nov. 24, 2018, at the Alamodome.