Who says you have to throw the ball to win football games?
The Army Black Knights capped an impressive 10-3 season with a 42-35 win over the San Diego State Aztecs in the 2017 Armed Forces Bowl.
They did it the hard way.
In this day and age of aerial offenses, Army and San Diego State combined for a total of 31 (!) yards passing but 695 yards rushing.
The Army running backs racked up 440 yards rushing with QB Ahmad Bradshaw leading the way with 180 yards and two TDs. Army also registered 31 first downs and didn’t punt once.
San Diego State’s Rashaad Penny rushed for 221 yards and four TDs but it was not enough.
Rashaad Penny is over 200 rushing yards for a fifth straight game, which ties an NCAA FBS record. The others are Marcus Allen (USC, 1981), Barry Sanders (Oklahoma State, 1988) and Jamario Thomas (North Texas, 2004).
— GoAztecs Stats (@GoAztecsStats) December 23, 2017
Army took the lead with a touchdown and two-point conversion with 18 seconds remaining. The Knights then clinched victory with an incredible pick-six on the game’s final play. While Army’s game plan wasn’t the most aesthetically pleasing to watch for neutral fans, Dallas Mavericks play-by-play announcer Mark Followill thought the level of execution still provided some enjoyment:
When Army executes their offense, in particular that last touchdown drive, there is a real football beauty in the precision and patience
— Mark Followill (@MFollowill) December 23, 2017
Reaching 10 wins is impressive for Army, but this statistic makes the accomplishment even more astounding. Army managed to win 10 games while only completing 20 passes all season long.
Army won 10 games this season and its offense completed 20 passes.
— Joseph Goodman (@JoeGoodmanJr) December 23, 2017
Kell Walker, the leading receiver for the Black Knights, finished the season with five receptions for 111 yards. They had just two touchdowns through the air this season and completed just one pass for six yards in the Bowl game.