Army Football: Black Knights show grit in 2025

It’s safe to say that no one could have predicted how the Army Black Knights’ 2025 college football season was going to play out. Their Week 1 overtime loss to Tarleton State (who remains undefeated and playing in the FCS playoffs) was mind-boggling to many. Yet in the next two weeks they defeated Kansas State on the road, and took conference title contender North Texas to overtime in Week 4. Things got crazier to end the year, as the Black Knights won three of four, including a 3-point victory over UTSA at the Alamodome, which clinched a bowl berth. Overall, their final four games were decided by eight total points, including a bizarre 14-13 victory over Temple.

The Army Black Knights showed grit, and it’s been consistent throughout the season.

Army Football: Black Knights Show Grit in 2025

Army would lose their first game of the 2025 regular season to the Tarleton State Texans in double overtime. However, that game was important for a number of reasons.

Army’s starting quarterback, Dewayne Coleman, was a steep drop-off from Bryson Daily a year ago. While he totaled 100 yards and a touchdown on the ground, Coleman threw two back-breaking interceptions. He also made some poor reads overall, and would eventually get injured in the game.

In Coleman’s place came Cale Hellums. The junior also initially struggled passing the football. However, he was able to drive Army down the field with a chance to win the game in regulation. Unfortunately, a missed field goal would spoil their chances.

Hellums’ poise was enough to take over the starting role, but not without struggles of his own. In fact, it was Coleman who nearly pulled off late-game heroics of his own a couple weeks later in the team’s overtime loss to North Texas (and briefly win back the starting job). However, the Week 1 loss was important, because it showed that head coach Jeff Monken was not afraid to make changes he felt were necessary to win the game.

Far too often, coaches can be caught in their own hubris and are hesitant to make personnel changes. This is especially true in the middle of a game – let alone the first game of the season. Yet Monken took the plunge, and it helped his team go through growing pains that allowed them to play at a high level at the end of the season.

November Knights

Entering November, Army football was 3-4, and their hopes of a 2025 bowl berth looked slim. Yet there’s no program like a military academy that can handle the war of attrition that is football, with ease.

Army went to Colorado and beat Air Force in their own stadium. Then, they won a 14-13 slugfest against Temple where they dominated the time of possession, and showed discipline at every turn. The Black Knights put together a seven-minute drive, ending any momentum the Owls had. It didn’t matter if they had 10 defenders in the box – Army kept the chains moving.

Yet while they stumbled in a 1-point loss to Tulsa the following week, their regular season finale shouldn’t be ignored.

Playing in the Alamodome, the UTSA Roadrunners had a 25-game winning streak entering their contest with Army. And despite having a lead in the fourth quarter, Army orchestrated a comeback victory that was sealed by the defense. While there was some odd extra curriculars after the game, the result is what matters most.

Defeating UTSA on their own turf showed the program can win against unfavorable odds. It also showed that the team has grit and keeps their eyes on their final goal. The victory secured a bowl berth, and much-needed momentum entering the 2025 Army-Navy game.

Army Strong

As many know, military academies function differently than regular college football programs. The transfer portal is nonexistent in most cases. And, their players are tasked to do much more in their non-football life than regular student-athletes. Five-star players don’t commit to Army because of what that commitment entails. Because of this, military programs are at a disadvantage athletically.

Going into 2025, the Black Knights lost their starting quarterback and multiple players to the transfer portal, including their starting running back. For the program to be bowl-eligible and competitive in nearly every contest speaks volumes about the athletes and coaching staff. It’s easy to give up when the odds are stacked against you. Yet, there’s a reason why this program is Army strong; that’s not just a slogan, it’s a lifestyle under Jeff Monken at West Point.

Yet the true test lies ahead.

Army takes on Navy in the annual Army-Navy game that will be held at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland on December 13. The Black Knights will look to avenge a 31-13 defeat last season after winning the two years prior.