After years of falling short against Top-25 opponents, a lopsided win over a longtime rival helped secure more than just bragging rights for Army on a historic day in Denver.
Entering Saturday on a five-game losing streak, Army (3–6) pulled off a stunning 23–3 win over No. 25 Air Force (8–1), handing the Falcons their first loss of the season while ending the program’s 52-game losing streak against AP-ranked teams.
Army’s monumental win, astonishingly, fell exactly 51 years to the date of its last win over an AP-ranked team. As it turns out, the opponent on that fateful Nov. 4 back in 1972 just so happened to be then No. 19-ranked Air Force, who lost at West Point, 17–14.
For the 2023 Black Knights, a surging effort led by junior quarterback Bryson Daily and the defense proved too much for the Falcons. Daily tallied just 40 passing yards but contributed 36 carries for 170 yards and two first-half touchdowns while the defense forced six turnovers and held Air Force to one second-quarter field goal.
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After winning last season’s battle, 13–7, Air Force has now lost three of its last four meetings against Army following Saturday’s blowout. Additionally, the program, much like the ’72 team, could also be on the verge of losing out on the coveted Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy because of the defeat.
With a victory over Navy on Dec. 9, Army would win the annual round-robin competition between the service academies and claim the CIC Trophy for just the 10th time. A loss, however, would keep the award in the possession of 21-time winner Air Force, the 2022 recipient.
