Army West Point Athletics
Army Football Top Moments: Number 5
November 11, 2015 | Football, Athletics
WEST POINT, N.Y. - In celebration of 125 years of Army football, the Army Athletic Association is counting down the top 10 moments in program history each Wednesday during the remainder of the 2015 football season. A fan vote and a panel of athletic department officials combined to determine the list of top moments.
Number 5 – First bowl game win, 10-6, against Michigan State in the Cherry Bowl (1984)
Army's first-ever bowl game appearance came in 1984 when the Black Knights earned an invitation to the inaugural Cherry Bowl. The site was the Silverdome, in Pontiac, Mich., where Army met Michigan State in front of more than 70,000 people.
Army brought a 7-3 record into the game as head coach Jim Young directed a six-win improvement from his first season in 1983.
Army got on the board first with a four-yard touchdown run in the second quarter by Clarence Jones, which helped Army to a 7-0 halftime lead. The Army defense was the story of the day, as the Black Knights forced five turnovers and four punts in an eventual 10-6 win. Â
Craig Stopa kicked a 38-yard field goal midway through the fourth quarter to increase the lead to 10-0, before Michigan State scored a touchdown with a little more than four minutes to play. The Spartans' two-point conversion attempt failed and Army came away with the four-point victory.
Starting quarterback Nate Sassman was named most-valuable player with 136 yards rushing on 28 carries, while Doug Pavek had two interceptions and Kermit McKelvey had one. Both of Army's scoring drives followed Michigan State turnovers.
Army Football Top Moments
10. Army defeats SMU in Armed Forces Bowl for first bowl win in 25 years (2010)
9. Army defeats Texas A&M, 24-14, despite being a 30-point underdog (1972)
8. Army defeats Illinois 31-29 in the Peach Bowl (1985)
7. Andrew Rodriguez wins the Campbell Trophy (2011) and Sullivan Award (2012)
6. Mike Mayweather sets Academy season and career rushing marks (1990)
5. First bowl game win, 10-6, against Michigan State in the Cherry Bowl (1984)
4. Nov. 18
3. Nov. 25
2. Dec. 2
1. Dec. 9
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Number 5 – First bowl game win, 10-6, against Michigan State in the Cherry Bowl (1984)
Army's first-ever bowl game appearance came in 1984 when the Black Knights earned an invitation to the inaugural Cherry Bowl. The site was the Silverdome, in Pontiac, Mich., where Army met Michigan State in front of more than 70,000 people.
Army brought a 7-3 record into the game as head coach Jim Young directed a six-win improvement from his first season in 1983.
Army got on the board first with a four-yard touchdown run in the second quarter by Clarence Jones, which helped Army to a 7-0 halftime lead. The Army defense was the story of the day, as the Black Knights forced five turnovers and four punts in an eventual 10-6 win. Â
Craig Stopa kicked a 38-yard field goal midway through the fourth quarter to increase the lead to 10-0, before Michigan State scored a touchdown with a little more than four minutes to play. The Spartans' two-point conversion attempt failed and Army came away with the four-point victory.
Starting quarterback Nate Sassman was named most-valuable player with 136 yards rushing on 28 carries, while Doug Pavek had two interceptions and Kermit McKelvey had one. Both of Army's scoring drives followed Michigan State turnovers.
Army Football Top Moments
10. Army defeats SMU in Armed Forces Bowl for first bowl win in 25 years (2010)
9. Army defeats Texas A&M, 24-14, despite being a 30-point underdog (1972)
8. Army defeats Illinois 31-29 in the Peach Bowl (1985)
7. Andrew Rodriguez wins the Campbell Trophy (2011) and Sullivan Award (2012)
6. Mike Mayweather sets Academy season and career rushing marks (1990)
5. First bowl game win, 10-6, against Michigan State in the Cherry Bowl (1984)
4. Nov. 18
3. Nov. 25
2. Dec. 2
1. Dec. 9
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Wednesday, May 27
Saturday, May 23
Monday, May 11
Thursday, April 30