Football Wins Over Georgia Southern in Comeback Fashion, 28-27

Saturday, November 21

West Point, N.Y.

12 p.m. ET

Army West Point

Georgia Southern

Photo by: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports

Football Wins Over Georgia Southern in Comeback Fashion, 28-27

November 21, 2020 | Football

Box Score Army Post Game Press Conference Postgame Notes vs. GSU Highlights

By: Rachel Caton

WEST POINT, N.Y. – Army West Point completed an incredible come-from-behind victory to defeat visiting Georgia Southern, 28-27 to remain unbeaten at home on Saturday afternoon at Michie Stadium.

The Black Knights went down 14-0 early in the first quarter as Georgia Southern took advantage of some early Army miscues.

However, the Black Knights battled back, capping off a 15-play, 75-yard, eight-minute drive with a one yard touchdown rush by Sandon McCoy. The extra point by Quinn Maretzki made it a 14-7 contest.

The back-and-forth battle ensued, as Georgia Southern pulled out to a 21-7 lead on a 24-yard touchdown pass from Shai Werts to Cam Brown with 9:24 left in the half.

Three fumbles lost in the first half played a big part in the 21-7 deficit at the half for the Black Knights as they outgained the Eagles 147 total yards to 137 yards in the half, including 122 rushing yards to Georgia Southern's 96.

The Black Knights came back out of the half on a mission and scored back-to-back touchdowns to eclipse the 14-point deficit.

First, Braheam Murphy had a 12-yard rushing touchdown to cap off an 11-play, 52-yard drive to pull within seven, 21-14.

Then, Fabrice Voyne blocked a Georgia Southern punt, which was recovered and returned by Kemonte Yow 15 yards to the Georgia Southern two-yard line. All it took was McCoy one play to rush two yards for his second score of the day, and the extra point by Maretzki made it a 21-21 game.

The back-and-forth ballgame continued, as Georgia Southern a 39-yard touchdown pass from Werts to Logan Wright put them up, 27-21. The extra point attempt by Alex Raynor was blocked by Army's Andre Carter, the second blocked kick of the day.

The Black Knights went on an 18 play, 71-yard drive that ate up 10 minutes and 50 seconds and scored on a two-yard rush by Jakobi Buchanan, tying the game up 27-27. Kicker Maretzki connected on the key extra point to give Army a 28-27 lead with 8:16 left in the game.

The defense then came up big with huge stops down the stretch. On the ensuing drive, the defense was stout on a fourth and two attempt from the Army 45, with Jon Rhattigan and Jahvari Bourdeau halting Logan Wright's rush attempt a yard shy of the first down and the Eagles turned the ball over on downs.

Then with 2:20 left in the game, the Eagles got the ball back and on the second play of the drive, Carter made an outstanding diving interception on a pass attempt by Georgia Southern backup quarterback Justin Tomlin to seemingly seal the game for the Black Knights.

Georgia Southern got the ball back one more time, however, with 39 seconds left and got down to the Army 30 yard line before Nolan Cockrill and Arik Smith combined for a sack and then time ran out on the next play to finish off the 28-27 come-from-behind victory for the Black Knights.

NOTES
• Army is now 7-2 on season and 6-0 at home.
• The Black Knights are now 22-2 at Michie Stadium dating back to the start of the 2017 season. The Cadets currently own an eight-game win-streak on their home turf.
• This was the first time in over 16 years that Army overcame a 14-point deficit to win a game. The last time was on Oct. 16, 2004, at USF, which Army won 42-35.
• QB Tyhier Tyler became the fourth player to earn a start at quarterback for the Black Knights this season, marking the first time in program history that the Cadets have had four different starters at QB in a season.
• The last time an Army game was decided by one-point in normal regulation was the 2017 Army-Navy game, which Army won 14-13. The Cadets topped Miami (Oh) 31-30 in 2018, but the game was decided in double overtime.
• So far on the season the Black Knights have had 24 first-time starters, the most in the nation.
• Army had six tackles behind the line of scrimmage. The Black Knights are now up to 57 TFLs on the season.
• The Cadets had two blocked kicks (1 punt, 1 PAT) on the day. They lead the nation with seven (3 punt, 2 FGA, 2 PAT) on the season.

WHAT THEY SAID
Jeff Monken, Army West Point Head Coach
"I am so incredibly proud of our team and particularly our seniors. They have led our football team through an unprecedented time…We couldn't have found a way to win the game today and we wouldn't be in the position we are now if it weren't for their leadership. If it weren't for the fact that our guys have a deep trust in each other, a great commitment to excellence and a love for this brotherhood. They played for each other and that victory was purely in their loyalty and love for each other as brothers. It took raw determination to find a way to win and I am so incredibly proud. I am so proud of the fight and the mental toughness.

Tyhier Tyler, Quarterback
(Ref.: On the support from him team)
"A big part of it was my teammates. The guys on the sideline telling me that they believe in me, and the coaches as well. Honestly, it was the perseverance and wanting to do it for my team and my seniors. Just having the heart and having the support from my teammates and coaches."

Sandon McCoy, Running Back
(Ref.: On being put in on fourth downs to secure touchdowns)
"It's exciting. It's an exciting feeling and I know it's not even really me who does the work, it's the offensive line. I'm not sure if it's just the energy that comes with me when I come into the huddle, but when I come in it's go-time and we're going to score no matter what."

Andre Carter, Linebacker
(Ref.: On his feelings after having a big day)
"It's a great feeling, and an even better feeling knowing that we got the win on senior day and continue the streak in Michie. Overall, it was just a really good team effort."

Peyton Reeder, Offensive Lineman
(Ref.: On what it's like to play for Army West Point)
"It's about toughness. You don't come here because it's going to be easy. You don't come here because you want to play football, you come here because you want to be a part of a successful program and you want to be on a team where you love your teammates. You come here if you want to be a part of something bigger than yourself."

WHAT'S NEXT
The Black Knights are set to face rival Navy in America's Game on Saturday, Dec. 12 at Michie Stadium. The game is a 3 p.m. ET kick and will air on CBS Television Network.