Black Knights Take Down UConn On Senior Day

WEST POINT – Army West Point Football (4-6) was victorious on Senior Day over UConn (6-6) , 34-17 in front of 31,229 fans at Michie Stadium.

Army recognized 19 senior players for Senior Day – Ryan Aguilar (LS), Cade Ballard (QB), Maurice Bellan (RB), Connor Bishop (C), Kwabena Bonsu (DL), Marquel Broughton (SS), Andre Carter (LB), Cole Caterbone (WR), Peyton Hampton (LB), Ryan Jackovic (WR), Jemel Jones (QB), Tyler Komorowski (DL), Cole Mabry (LB), Isaiah Morris (DB), Braheam Murphy (RB), Patrick Szczesniak (LS), D’Andre Tobias (DB), Tyhier Tyler (QB), and Fabrice Voyne (LB).

The Huskies received the opening kickoff and the Army defense quickly forced a three-and-out to begin the contest. From the 19-yard line, Freshman Jabril Williams blocked the UConn punt with RB Miles Stewart recovering the loose ball in the end zone for a special team’s touchdown. The play marked Army’s first blocked kick of the season and the second time that the special teams unit got into the end zone.

On its second drive, UConn was able to march down to the Army one-yard line, eventually settling for a chip-shot field goal to make it 7-3 after a false start penalty and a tackle for loss by Safety Marquel Broughton and DL Kwabena Bonsu. After a three-and-out offensively for Army, the Huskies would again drive down the field in the closing minutes of the first quarter. UConn had a second and goal from the one-yard line and the Army defense stood strong at the goal line forcing a turnover on downs, stuffing a pair of rushing attempts while Marquel Broughton broke up a pass attempt on third-down. Following two offensive drives for UConn, they had two first and goals from Army’s one yard-line with the Army defense holding them in the redzone to just 12 yards and three points on 10 plays from inside the 20.

Following the goal-line stand, Army would punt the ball back to the Huskies with 6:50 left in the half. UConn put together a 7-play, 80-yard touchdown drive capped by a 43-yard touchdown run from Freshman Victor Rosa. Trailing 10-7, Army answered with a touchdown drive to end the half. On a third-and-long the drive was kept alive by WR Isaiah Alston drawing a pass interference that allowed QB Jemel Jones to lead the Black Knight down the field. The biggest gain of the 11-play, 75-yard drive came from a 38-yard rush from RB Braheam Murphy to get the ball within the UConn 30-yard line. With less than 20 seconds on the clock, Jones punched in a one-yard touchdown run for his seventh rushing touchdown of the season. Quinn Maretzki’s extra point attempt was blocked and Army went into the half with a 13-10 lead.

In the second half, following an Army three-and-out to get things started, the Huskies marched down the field with freshman quarterback Zion Turner scoring on a one-yard keeper to retake the lead at 17-13. Answering right back for Army was Braheam Murphy who broke free for a 75-yard rushing score on the first play of Army’s ensuing drive, his longest career run.Maretzki made good on the extra point and Army led 20-17 with 8:20 remaining in the quarter.

Army was set up with good field position after forcing punts on consecutive UConn drives, starting at the Huskies 38-yard line following a 12-yard return from Cameron Jones. With 19 seconds remaining in the third quarter, Tyhier Tyler gave Army a two-possession lead, 27-14 for the first time in the contest with a four-yard rushing touchdown with 19 seconds remaining in the third quarter. Tyler set up the score with a 25-yard scamper.

Midway through the fourth, Marquel Broughton would intercept a Zion Turner pass attempt, returning it 27 yards to the UConn 27 yard-line. It was Broughton’s third interception of the season, a new season career high for him. Army would capitalize on the turnover with Tyler running in for his second touchdown of the game from two yards out giving the Black Knights a commanding 34-17 lead. Tyler has now registered a new career-high with nine rushing touchdowns on the season, which leads the Black Knights rushing attack. Senior DB D’Andre Tobias put the finishing touches on the victory intercepting Turner late in the fourth quarter. Army ‘s defense forced two turnovers and held UConn to 125 yards of total offense in the second half. Broughton led the way defensively with 12 total tackles, a TFL and INT. Offensively, Byhier Tyler rushed for 79 yards on 18 carries with two touchdowns to lead the Army offense.