Armed Forces Bowl- wrap-up

The Black Knights of Army had an extra defender on their side Thursday: Mother Nature. The stiff breeze that was blowing here in Dallas Thursday limited SMU's high powered aerial attack, and helped to give Army a 16-14 win in front of over 35,000 fans. The win gave Army their first winning season in 14 years. When this pairing was first announced, many thought it would be a blowout, with SMU running the show. Add to the fact that this game was being played at SMU's home stadium due to renovations at Amon Carter Stadium, and it had all the makings of a dominating effort, similar to the one SMU put up in the Hawaii Bowl over Nevada last season. Trouble is, someone forgot to tell the men from Army. They weren't flashy. They weren't glamorous. Like true Army men, they put in a workman-like effort, and waitied for their opponent to make the mistakes. They started early, by harrassing SMU QB Kyle Padron into a fumble at the Army 30 yard line on the game's opening drive. The ball skipped across the Ford Stadium turf and landed in the hands of Army defender Josh McNary, who took it 55 yards the other way for the game's first score. The return set a new Armed Forces Bowl record for longest fumble return. Army got the ball back midway through the first quarter, and went on an eight play, eighty yard drive, with junior wide receiver David Brooks taking the ball in from 13 yards out. The extra point was blocked, and the game stood at 13-0, favor of Army. The Knights would add a 44 yard field goal just before the half, and Army went into the break, leading 16-0, bringing a hush over the fans clad in SMU's red and blue.
The second half saw Army get the ball, and go into a keep-away mode, as their initial drive of the second half burned 10 plays and just over 6 minutes off the clock. Their punt was downed at the SMU 8 yard line, and Army looked to salt it away. But, Padron and company got clicking. They went on a 13 play, 92 yard drive (a new BHAFB record for longest drive), ending in an 8 yard TD pass from Padron to Senior wideout Aldrick Robinson, to cut the lead to 16-7. Following another Army stalled drive and punt, the Mustangs went on a 10 play, 74 yard drive, with Padron finding Darius Johnson in the end zone for an over-the shoulder, 8 yard TD pass. The game now stood at 16-14, and the SMU faithful started to feel like Padron had found his stride. When Army went off on a three-and-out, many at Gerald Ford Stadium thought it was merely academic, that the Mustangs would find a way to win in front of the home crowd. Remember me talking about Mother Nature? Army's defense stiffened, and forced SMU to try a field goal from 47 yards out. It wasn't even close. The wide left attempt gave Army the ball with just over 4 minutes left in the game, and when Army quarterback completed only his second pass of the day to wideout Dayvid Brooks on 3rd and five, it gave Army the new set of downs they would need to run out the clock, and preserve the win.
For Army, senior linebacker Stephen Anderson was named the game's MVP. He finished the game with 14 tackles, 10 solo, a sack, and an interception. For SMU, Johnson was named the game's MVP. He finished with a 9 catch, 152 yard, 1 touchdown day.
Army's season ends at 7-6. SMU's season ends at 7-7.