Army Football: 3 Takeaways from Black Knights’ home opener

Here are three takeaways from Army Football’s home opener.

After a brutal road loss to the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers, the Army Black Knights were hoping for better fortunes at Michie Stadium. It was the opposite for UTSA. The Roadrunners hoped traveling 1,890 miles to upstate New York would work out better than their home opener last week against Houston.

This game was a back-and-forth affair along the banks of the Hudson, with the Roadrunners coming away with a thrilling 41-38 overtime victory this afternoon. The loss snaps Army’s seven-game home-opener winning streak. Their last loss, in 2015, was against Fordham.

The Roadrunners had a great game plan to neutralize the Army triple-option running attack. They did not expect the Black Knights’ ability to throw the football. Army threw for 304 yards, their most passing yards since 2007.

Army took a 21-14 lead at halftime, and the Roadrunners, committing seven first-half penalties, looked sloppy at times. UTSA quarterback Frank Harris was also sacked three times in the first half.

The Roadrunners did not quit, however. Harris carried the Roadrunners in the second half bringing them back, and tying the game at 28 in the fourth quarter. Both teams traded touchdowns, and UTSA had the opportunity to win the game in regulation, but kicker Jared Sackett missed a 41-yard field goal at the end of regulation.

Army scored a field goal on its first possession of overtime, but Harris and the Roadrunners answered with a touchdown for the win.

Here are three more takeaways from the game.