Kanye Udoh rushed for 158 yards and two touchdowns on Saturday, leading No. 21 Army to a 20-3 win over Air Force and marking the Black Knights’ nation-leading 12th straight victory.
With starting quarterback Bryson Daily missing the game for unknown reasons, Udoh stepped up to keep a promise he made to his captain.
The sophomore running back told Daily, who missed the last game against Air Force, that the team would play for him and maintain Army’s undefeated season.
Udoh delivered on that promise, achieving career highs in rushing yards (158) and carries (22), and recording his third game this season with multiple touchdowns.
“I felt like I had a responsibility to fill the shoes of Bryson and go out there and play my best game,” said Udoh, who contributed to 76% of Army’s 207 rushing yards.
He ran seven times for 48 yards during Army’s first drive of the second half and capped it off with a 12-yard touchdown run, which was his eighth touchdown of the season.
Army (8-0), the current Commander in Chief’s champions, defeated Air Force for the fourth time in their last five meetings. This win sets up a winner-take-all matchup for the CIC trophy against Navy on December 14 at Northwest Stadium.
Army’s defense kept Air Force to just three red-zone plays throughout the game and intercepted three Falcons’ passes in the fourth quarter.
Senior safety Max DiDomenico’s interception secured the win for Army with 1:51 remaining. DiDomenico returned the interception 69 yards to Air Force’s 25-yard line, and Udoh scored his second touchdown on the very next play.
Daily missed practice this week due to either injury or illness, according to a statement from the academy. Junior Dewayne Coleman made his first start for the Black Knights in place of Daily. Coleman rushed for 42 yards, completed 5 of 8 passes for 48 yards, and did not turn the ball over.
Army had a tough time in the first half, settling for a 30-yard field goal by Trey Gronotte on its opening drive. This was the first time the Black Knights did not score a touchdown on their first possession. Gronotte added a 32-yard field goal in the second quarter.
The loss marked the seventh straight defeat for Air Force (1-7) after winning their season opener against Merrimack.
“It (stinks),” said Air Force wide receiver Cade Harris. “Obviously, you want to beat these guys real bad. We missed some opportunities to make sure plays.”
