Army upsets No. 17 Air Force with last-second field goal

**Army Stuns No. 17 Air Force 20-17 with Last-Second Field Goal, Takes First Leg of Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy**

DENVER – Dawson Jones etched his name into Army football lore on Saturday, November 4, 2023, drilling a 27-yard field goal as time expired to give the Black Knights a thrilling 20-17 upset victory over No. 17 Air Force. The dramatic finish at Empower Field at Mile High, home of the NFL’s Denver Broncos, saw unranked Army spoil the Falcons’ perfect season and seize the crucial first leg of the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy.

The victory, arguably the biggest of Army’s season, snapped Air Force’s impressive 8-0 start and sent shockwaves through the college football landscape. The Black Knights, who entered the game as 17.5-point underdogs with a 2-6 record, showed remarkable resilience and determination against their undefeated rival.

“I couldn’t be prouder of our guys,” said Army head coach Jeff Monken after the game. “They never quit, they believed in themselves, and they executed when it mattered most. This is a testament to their grit and the spirit of Army football.”

The game culminated in a frantic fourth quarter. Air Force, known for its potent triple-option attack, had managed to tie the score at 17-17 with just over five minutes remaining. Quarterback Zac Larrier connected with John Lee Eldridge III on a spectacular 48-yard touchdown pass, capping a swift drive that seemed to swing momentum in the Falcons’ favor.

However, Army wasn’t deterred. Starting their final possession from their own 25-yard line with 5:26 left on the clock, the Black Knights orchestrated a masterful game-winning drive. Quarterback Cale Hellums, who steadily led the offense throughout the afternoon, delivered the pivotal play with only 24 seconds left. He launched a 42-yard pass downfield to Brady Anderson, who made a clutch reception at Air Force’s 10-yard line, setting up Jones for the heroics.

“You practice those moments a thousand times,” Jones reflected. “When it came down to it, I just tried to clear my head and trust my training. Seeing it go through was an an unbelievable feeling, for our team, for our coaches, for everyone who believed in us.”

The first half was a tight, defensive struggle, typical of the service academy rivalry, with both teams relying heavily on their ground games and ball control. Army’s defense, in particular, played a suffocating game, limiting Air Force’s normally unstoppable rushing attack for crucial stretches. The Black Knights’ offensive drives were often deliberate, chewing clock and keeping the ball away from the Falcons.

This contest marked a historic occasion as it was the first time the storied Army-Air Force rivalry was played in an NFL stadium, drawing a robust crowd of over 50,000 passionate fans. The atmosphere was electric, adding another layer of intensity to an already fierce matchup.

For Air Force, the loss (now 8-1) is a significant blow to their hopes for a New Year’s Six bowl bid and potentially their Mountain West Conference championship aspirations. “It’s a tough loss,” admitted Air Force head coach Troy Calhoun. “Credit to Army, they played a tremendous game. We made some plays, but not enough in the end. We’ll learn from this and move forward.”

The victory is monumental for Army (now 3-6 overall), not only ending their rival’s perfect run but also giving them the inside track for the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy, a coveted prize awarded annually to the winner of the triangular series between the U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, and U.S. Air Force Academy. Army last claimed the trophy in 2020. They will next face Navy on December 9th at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, with a chance to secure the trophy outright.