Amherst, MA – Army QB Tyhier Tyler had an afternoon to remember, rushing for three touchdowns and 101 yards in the first half leading the Black Knights to a dominating 44-7 win over Massachusetts. Tyler punched in scores from 27, 4, and 1-yard out to pace the Black Knights offense. With his rushing scores, Tyler now has 12 TDs on the season and became the first Army QB with 10+ rushing TDs since Kelvin Hopkins Jr totaled 17 in 2018.
Massachusetts received the opening kickoff and marched 75 yards on nine plays, behind 36 rushing yards by RB Ellis Merriweather. UMass QB Gino Campiotti capped off the drive with a two-yard TD run to take an early 7-0 lead over Army. Notably, Army DL Chris Frey did record a sack on the opening drive, bringing down Brady Olson for loss of 9 yards, his first career sack.
The Black Knights defense would force a turnover its next time out when LB Fabrice Voyne recovered a UMass fumble at the UMass 35 yard-line to give the Army offense a short field.
QB Tyhier Tyler connected with WR Isaiah Alston for a 23-yard pass, that featured Alston making an incredible one-handed grab. RB Jakobi Buchanan would later finish off the drive with a 10-yard touchdown run to knot the score at 7-7 with 3:54 to go in the first quarter.
Sophomore RB Markel Johnson saw a solid dosage of playing time, breaking free for a 32-yard run, the longest of his career. On the same drive which extended to the first play of the second quarter, Tyler ran for a 27-yard touchdown, to extend Army’s lead, 14-7.
Army’s defense stiffened as the game progressed forcing a fumble and two punts in the drives ensuing the opening drive score by UMass.
While Army’s defense held, Army’s offense started firing on all cylinders following an opening series punt. In the next four drives after, Army would finish each one in the endzone totaling 24 plays, 233 yards and four TDs.
Tyler would find the endzone again, taking it in from four-yards out to build the Black Knights lead to 21-7.
Army’s defense would force its second turnover of the day when DB Max DiDomenico laid a hit on UMass receiver Isaac Ross, which he fumbled and was recovered by DB Cam Jones.
After featuring his legs for most of the first half, Tyler went to the air hitting TE Joshua Lingenfelter down the seam for a gain of 45 yards. Tyler would put the finishing touches on the drive, pounding in another touchdown from one-yard out, for his third score of the first half.
Army took a 28-7 lead into the half as Tyler lead the way with 101 rushing yards and three scores on 11 carries. He also completed 2-for-2 for 67 yards.
In the fourth quarter, freshman DB Jayden Mayes picked off UMass QB Brady Olsen for his first career interception.
In the second half QB’s Jemel Jones, Cade Ballard and Bryson Daily all saw action relieving Tyler. Following the Mayes interception, Jemel Jones led an 11-play, 40 yard touchdown drive which saw RB Jakobi Buchanan plunge into the endzone from one yard out for his second touchdown of the day making the score, 35-7.
Senior DB D’Andre Tobias picked off his second pass in as many weeks, giving the Army defense four turnovers on the afternoon.
As the game winded down, K Quinn Maretzki banged in a field goal from 20-yards out and Sophomore QB Bryson Daily put the finishing touches on the game with a 54-yard touchdown to close the scoring at 44-7.
Army scored 44 unanswered points in the game following UMass’s opening drive touchdown.
Army finished just shy of 400 yards of total offense, netting 396 yards with 329 of them on the ground.
Offensively, Army saw five ball carriers total over 20 rushing yards in the contest, with the way being paved by Tyler who finished with 101 rushing yards on 11 carries. Bryson Daily carried six times for 79 yards and added a TD. Markell Johnson finished with 67 yards on 10 attempts. Jakobi Buchanan totaled 46 yards on 11 carries with two scores. Jemel Jones had nine rushes for 23 yards.
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