Football Falls to West Virginia in 62nd AutoZone Liberty Bowl, 24-21

Thursday, December 31

Memphis, Tenn.

4:00 P.M. ET

Army West Point

9-3

West Virginia University

6-4

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

WVU

Army

Football Falls to West Virginia in 62nd AutoZone Liberty Bowl, 24-21

December 31, 2020 | Football

Box Score Postgame Notes vs. West Virginia Final Game Book vs. West Virginia

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Army Black Knights fell 24-21 to West Virginia in the 62^nd AutoZone Liberty Bowl on Thursday evening in Memphis, Tenn.

The Black Knights (9-3) went down 3-0 in the first quarter, but rebounded and led 14-10 at the half and 21-16 in the third quarter, but were shutout in the fourth quarter as the Mountaineers scored eight to push them over the top.

The defense set the tone early, forcing two turnovers in the first half, including an interception of West Virginia quarterback Seth Doege by senior cornerback Javhari Bourdeau on West Virginia's second drive of the game.

The Mountaineers (6-4) got on the board first, however, as Tyler Sumpter drilled a 31-yard field goal with 1:47 left in the first quarter after he missed a 37-yard field goal attempt on the first drive of the game.

Quartberback Tyhier Tyler answered back with a drive of 74 yards on 14 plays that ate up 7:12 as he capped things off with a one-yard rush for the first touchdown of the day. An extra point by Quinn Maretzki followed and the Black Knights took a 10-7 lead with 9:31 left in the first half.
West Virginia answered back however, with a sustained drive of their own, going 77 yards on 12 plays as quarterback Jarret Doege connected with T.J. Simmons on a five-yard touchdown pass to take the lead back, 10-7.

Army's defense came up with a huge play, the second turnover of the first half as Malkelm Morrison sacked Mountaineer quarterback Doege and caused a fumble, which was recovered by Ryan Duran at West Virginia's seven-yard line.

The Black Knights cashed in on that Mountaineer turnover, taking two plays and Tyler rushed for six yards for his second touchdown of the day. The extra point by Maretzki put the Black Knights up, 14-10 and that score carried into the half.

The Black Knights extended their lead to 21-10 after an eight minute drive to open up the third quarter, as Tyhier Tyler tied the Liberty Bowl record with his third touchdown of the day, this one a two-yard rush.

The Mountaineers were not going to go down easy however, and eventually scored 14 unanswered points down the stretch that proved to be the difference in the game. A three-yard touchdown pass from backup quarterback Austin Kendall to Mike O'Laughlin with 3:23 left in the third pulled the Mountaineers within five after the missed two-point conversion.

A second touchdown came with 5:10 left in the fourth quarter, as Kendall hit receiver T.J. Simmons on a 20-yard route for their third touchdown of the day. Reese Smith rushed for two on the conversion to make it a 24-21 game.

The Black Knights had a chance to tie the ballgame up, as they drove the field and with 1:50 left in the game had kicker Maretzki lined up for a 39-yard field goal attempt. However, he missed the kick wide left.

The Army defense got the ball back one more time, and with 1:28 left the Black Knights started with the ball on their own 31 yard line, however, on a last-chance fourth-and-seven, quarterback Christian Anderson on intercepted on a desperation heave, ending the Black Knight's chances.

POSTGAME NOTES
• Army finished its season with a record of 9-3.
• In its last five seasons, Army has posted a record of 43-21.
• The Cadets forced two turnovers (1 fumble, 1interception). They finished the season with a total of 20 turnovers (6 fumbles, 14 interceptions).
• This was Army's ninth all-time bowl appearance and the fourth under seventh year head coach Jeff Monken.
• The Black Knights are 6-3 all-time in bowl games.
• All three of Army's bowl losses have been by three or fewer points. Army fell to Alabama, 29-28, in the 1988 Sun Bowl and lost to Auburn, 32-29, in the 1996 Independence Bowl.
• Army's senior class is the winningest class in Army football history. The group won 35 total games, including three Commander in Chief's trophies and two bowl games.
• In the second quarter this season, Army outscored its opponents, 100-41.
• The Black Knights were 3-for-3 in the red zone, with Tyhier Tyler finding the end zone on all three of their trips.
• In the second quarter this season, Army outscored its opponents, 100-41.
• The Black Knights were 3-for-3 in the red zone, with Tyhier Tyler finding the end zone on all three of their trips.
• Army's senior class is the winningest class in Army football history. The group won 35 total games, including three Commander in Chief's trophies and two bowl games.
• QB Tyhier Tyler was named the team's Offensive MVP of the game by a vote of the media. LB Arik Smith was named the team's Defensive MVP, also by a vote of the media.

WHAT THEY HAD TO SAY
Head Coach Jeff Monken
"It is an honor and a privilege to be here. This is a great experience for our team. We didn't know if we were going to be able to play in a bowl game. And to have been selected by your great team in Memphis, to be able to represent West Point and play a great opponent like West Virginia, we felt incredibly honored and very grateful for the opportunity. Our guys are very proud to represent West Point, our Long Gray Line of graduates, the United States Army and the way they play with heart and effort and determination is the same way they are going to lead soldiers in the Army and fight for the United States of America, so I can assure you that these guys right here are going to serve our country well and their classmates, the 4,400 cadets, those are young men and women who made a pledge of commitment to serve this nation and our country is in great hands with leaders like them. We are proud to be here and thank you."

Sophomore quarterback Tyhier Tyler
"The biggest takeaway is the spirit of this team. There was a lot of resiliency within the staff and within my teammates during these COVID times, cancellation of games, etc. My biggest takeaway is what The Brotherhood really means to me. We have a lot of returning players going into next season, a lot of key players that are returning and we are going to use this season like a chip on our shoulders, to defend the CIC and win as many games as possible."

Junior Linebacker Arik Smith
"No, it didn't change much of what we were doing. We did notice they changed personnel in terms of quarterbacks, but our focus is always on ourselves, making sure we can play the defense that is called in the appropriate way. If we can execute the defense that is called in the appropriate way, we believe they won't score no matter who they have in the ballgame."