Army gambles, beats SDSU

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Army coach Jeff Monken was able to joke afterward.

“We had ‘em all the way,” Monken deadpanned.

It wasn’t quite that easy for the Black Knights.

Darnell Woolfolk scored on a 1-yard run with 18 seconds left, Kell Walker converted a go-ahead 2-point run and Army added a last-play defensive touchdown for a 42-35 victory over San Diego State on Saturday in the Armed Forces Bowl.

After Rashaad Penny’s fourth touchdown run of the game gave San Diego State (10-3) a 35-28 lead with 5:47 to play, Army (10-3) drove 72 yards for the tying score and winning conversion.

“It was tough, but we were confident we’d move the ball,” Army quarterback Ahmad Bradshaw said.

On the Aztecs’ final play, they made multiple laterals from their 40. The final lateral was grabbed by Army’s Elijah Riley, who returned it 29 yards for a touchdown.

The Black Knights tied a school record for wins set by the 1996 team.

Penny ran for 221 yards, his fifth straight game of at least 200 yards. His scores came on runs of 81, on his first carry, 31, 49 and 4 yards.

Juwan Washington added the Aztecs’ other touchdown on a 78-yard kickoff return in the first half’s closing seconds.

“Obviously, Rashaad and Juwan had a great night,” Aztecs coach Rocky Long said. “Our defense played really, really poorly. And that’s coaching. So, that’s my fault.”

Army dominated the time of possession. The Black Knights ran 91 plays to the Aztecs’ 30 and held the ball for 46:00 to San Diego State’s 13:53.

“That’s our brand of football,” Monken said. “We don’t have anybody like they have — when you break through the line, it’s six points.”

Woolfolk ran for two touchdowns, and Bradshaw and Andy Davidson ran for one each.

Monken said there was no doubt the Black Knights would go for two points if they pulled within one in the closing minutes with a touchdown.

“That No. 20, Rashaad Penny — if we went into overtime, he’s going to get the ball in his hands again,” Monken said. “There’s no way I wanted to watch that anymore.”

Walker took the pitch and raced toward the right corner of the end zone.

“Our O-line did a tremendous job,” Walker said. “All I had to do was catch it and run.”