Army hands No. 17 Air Force its first setback

Bryson Daily ran for 170 yards and two touchdowns, Army’s defense forced six turnovers and the Black Knights knocked No. 17 Air Force from the list of undefeated teams with a 23-3 win Saturday in Denver.

The Black Knights entered as an 18 ½-point underdog, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.

But the mistake-prone Falcons (8-1) had four fumbles, were intercepted twice, missed a 32-yard field goal and turned the ball over twice on downs as their best start since 1985 came to a halt. They entered as one of eight undefeated teams.

Army (3-6) snapped a five-game skid and moved into the driver’s seat to hoist the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy. The Black Knights need to beat Navy on Dec. 9 to claim the prize in the annual round-robin competition between the service academies. Air Force can retain the trophy if Army loses to the Midshipmen.

The CIC Trophy outright winner earns a trip to the White House and bragging rights.

Army senior linebacker Leo Lowin had 12 tackles, a sack, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. The Black Knights were constantly pressuring Air Force quarterback Zac Larrier, who had been 8-0 as a starter.

No. 23 James Madison 42, Georgia State 14:

Jordan McCloud accounted for six touchdowns as the Dukes (9-0, 6-0 Sun Belt), ineligible for the College Football Playoff list and an automatic bowl berth, played one of their most impressive halves of the year as they pulled away from the Panthers (6-3, 3-3) in Atlanta.

McCloud was at his dual-threat best in the last three quarters. He completed 28 of 36 for 307 yards and four touchdowns, overcoming an early interception. He ran for 104 yards and two scores on 13 carries, and Ty Son Lawton added 95 yards on 18 rushes.

JMU’s defense mostly held the Panthers in check, though QB

Darren Grainger ran for two touchdowns and 103 yards on 13 carries.

VMI 31, East Tennessee State 24: Collin Shannon threw for 201 yards, Hunter Rice scored the go-ahead touchdown with less than two minutes remaining, and VMI (4-5, 3-3 Southern Conference) scored 17 points in the fourth quarter in Johnson City, Tennessee, to beat the Buccaneers (2-7, 1-5).

Virginia Union 30, Virginia State 20:

The host Panthers (9-1, 7-1) overcame the Trojans (8-2, 6-2) before 15,000 fans at Hovey Field in Richmond to earn the North Division berth in the CIAA championship game.