West Point, NY (Sports Network) - Trent Steelman ran for a game-high 101 yards
and two touchdowns, as the Army Black Knights notched a 41-21 win over fellow
service academy Air Force at Michie Stadium.
Larry Dixon added 89 rushing yards and a TD, while Raymond Maples ran for 73
yards and a score to help the Black Knights (2-7) snap a six-game slide in the
head-to-head series.
Despite the return of star running back Cody Getz, the Falcons (5-4) spoiled a
chance to become bowl eligible as they saw their three-game win streak come to
a halt. Getz, who missed the previous two games with an ankle injury, was held
to 23 yards rushing on 14 carries. He entered the weekend averaging 132.6
rushing yards per tilt, fourth-best in the nation.
Army opened the game with a 13-play drive that covered 66 yards and lasted
more than six and a half minutes. Steelman finished off the possession with a
four-yard touchdown run for a 7-0 lead.
Air Force answered with a one-yard touchdown plunge by Wes Cobb to tie the
score at 7-7 with 4:30 to play in the opening frame.
The Black Knights began to take control in the second quarter. Dan Grochowski
capped an 11-play, 96-yard drive with a 20-yard field goal with 10:05 to play
until halftime.
Later in the second quarter, Steelman scored his second TD of the day on a
one-yard run to put Army on top, 17-7 with 1:39 remaining in the half.
On the ensuing possession, Army's Geoffery Bacon intercepted a Connor Dietz
pass at the Army 22 and returned it just across midfield. The Black Knights
moved into field goal range thanks to a 24-yard completion from Steelman to
Trenton Turrentine on first down, and Grochowski knocked a 36-yard field goal
through the uprights just before the half.
The Black Knights continued to add to their lead in the third quarter. Dixon
scored on a six-yard run midway through the frame, and Maples scored on a one-
yard run at the 2:52 mark. Steelman converted a two-point attempt following
Maples' TD, as Army entered the fourth quarter with a comfortable, 35-7
advantage.
However, Air Force narrowed the gap a bit in the final quarter. Jon Lee scored
on a four-yard run with just under nine minutes remaining in regulation, and
Dietz added a 13-yard TD scamper to make it a 35-21 game with 6:28 to play.
The Falcons' comeback hopes dissipated when they lost a fumble deep in their
own territory, and Army's Nate Combs recovered it in the end zone for the
game's final score.
With the victory, Army snapped a 13-game losing streak in service academy
games and remains eligible for its first Commander-in-Chief's Trophy since
1996.
GAME NOTES:
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