Army West Point Athletics
Wednesday, December 22
Fort Worth, Texas
8 PM ET
Army West Point
9-4
24
vs
22
Missouri
6-7
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
Missouri
10
6
0
6
22
Army West Point
0
7
7
10
24
Army Rallies Past Missouri for Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl Title
December 23, 2021 | Football
FORT WORTH, Texas – A game-winning field goal from kicker Cole Talley was the difference in the Army Black Knights' 24-22 victory over Missouri in the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl on Wednesday night at Amon G. Carter Stadium.
Though Army (9-4) did not gain the lead until the fourth quarter, which saw 16 combined points scored, Talley's 41-yard boot helped the Cadets improve to 4-0 in the Armed Forces Bowl as the game clock expired.
In addition to Talley's efforts, the team was also boosted to the win by linebacker Arik Smith, who was named the game MVP. The team captain finished the night with 12 tackles and a pair of sacks for 13 yards.
In the fifth all-time meeting between the programs, the first half was controlled by Missouri (6-7, 2-5 SEC). The Tigers used a game-opening touchdown and a 22-yard field goal to jump out to an early 10-0 lead. Army had a chance to respond on its first drive of the night, but its field goal attempt went wide left.
After struggling in the opening quarter, the Black Knights' offense found its rhythm in the second quarter. Quarterback Christian Anderson started a possession with a 42-yard pass to running back Tyrell Robinson, and the Cadets cruised from there as Anderson later found pay dirt with a 22-yard run that cut the Tigers' lead down to 10-7 two minutes into the second quarter.
Missouri answered the push with back-to-back field goals to extend its lead ahead of the halftime break. Both linebacker Malkelm Morrison and Smith made crucial plays on each drive to prevent the team from reaching the end zone. Morrison came up with a huge tackle on third down, while Smith's five-yard sack limited the Mizzou lead to 16-7.
Army started to regain momentum after the pause, striking on its first possession of the second half. Though the drive was nearly stopped by the Tigers' defense, running back Jakobi Buchanan prolonged the attack by converting a fourth-and-one. Two plays later, he recorded a 10-yard touchdown run that cut the Mizzou advantage down to 16-14 with eight minutes left in the quarter.
The Black Knights got to work quickly in their overtaking of the SEC foe in the fourth quarter. After marching down the field and into the red zone, quarterback Tyhier Tyler connected on a 14-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Walters for Army's first lead of the night at 21-16 with 6:30 remaining.
Missouri's initial chances to respond were crushed by Army's defense, as safety Marquel Broughton forced a fumble before the team could cross the 50-yard line. Linebacker Andre Carter II recovered the ball to give Army's offense another chance to work, but the team went three-and-out.
Mizzou took advantage of its final possession of the night, working its way down the field after punter Zach Harding forced the drive to start on the two-yard line. Eventually, a six-yard touchdown pass allowed the Tigers to regain the lead at 22-21 with less than 90 seconds left.
The Black Knights, who have proven their resilience throughout the season, refused to go down without a fight and used a full-team effort to rally past the Tigers. Appearing for the first time all evening, quarterback Jabari Laws came in under center and led a heroic, eight-play, 51-yard drive that was highlighted by a pair of long passes to wide receiver Isaiah Alston. Though Laws was unable to reach pay dirt, he set up Talley's game-winning kick in his final game as a Black Knight.
With the result, the Black Knights improve to 7-3 in Bowl games, which includes a 4-1 record under head coach Jeff Monken. The victory additionally moves Monken (58-43) up the program's all-time wins list, as he is now tied with former head coach Charles Daly (58-13-3; 1913-16, 1919-22) as the second-winningest Army Football coach.
QUOTABLE
On the come-from-behind win...
"I'm just happy we got it done. In that second half, in that fourth quarter, we grinded. We put everything we have worked on this season together and worked with each other and complimented each other and it is an amazing feeling to get the win." – Junior captain and safety, Marquel Broughton
On Jabari Laws getting leading the team down the field on the final drive...
"I know there are a lot of great stories in college football, but I really don't' think there is one that is better than that. Jabari [Laws] puts in so much work that goes unseen and for him to go out like that and put together that drive with 1:30 left when I know so many people were counting us out. He led the offense to perfection and got us into field goal range by making some really great plays and then Cole [Talley] finished it off." – Junior fullback, Jakobi Buchanan
On getting put in on the final drive...
"I was jus grateful for the opportunity. I know the whole team trusted me with the responsibility in that moment. I have to thank the guys in the quarterback room who have been through it all with me and I can't thank them enough because without them I wouldn't be here, especially these two [Christian Anderson and Thyier Tyler]. I'll always remember this." - Senior quarterback Jabari Laws
On managing relationships with the other quarterbacks on the team...
"I think it starts with our relationship off the field. We're all extremely close off the field and that definitely helps us out when it comes to playing football. There is never any animosity towards whoever is playing. We all wish for nothing but success for the guys who is playing. I think that is a struggle for other teams and when it comes to our team, we all just want to win and were always going to cheer on the guys who gives us the best chance to win." - Senior quarterback, Christian Anderson
On what was going through his head berfore the game-winning kick...
"When I went out there I couldn't stop thinking about everyone in this brotherhood because they all mean so much to me and I would do anything for them and I know they would do anything for me. I just love these guys so much and I'm really happy about this win." – Junior kicker, Cole Talley
On how the team made adjustments throughout the game...
"It was a hard-fought game. There were a few times where it seemed like momentum was going against us. That was something Coach talked to us about and he stressed the importance of getting that turned around at the right time. I think we did a great job of that today and that is credit to the way we prepare week in and week out so when the moment comes, we execute, and we did that today." – Senior captain and linebacker, Arik Smith
On the mental side of kicking in college football...
"Kicking is a huge mental game. These guys mean a lot to me and I want to do the best that I can in order for them to succeed. This season I think my mental game has improved a lot and that is all thanks to Coach Saturnio. He emphasizes the importance of the mental game and has done so much research into it and that has impacted my game so much. I know everyone in the special teams room has my back and that is what helped me tonight." Junior kicker, Cole Talley
On what he saw from his team tonight...
"What to say after a win like that… I'm almost speechless. I want to talk about every single kid in that locker room and the toughness and resiliency shown by every one of them. 11 days ago, we got gut punched and to come up on the short end is tough. Our team really practiced hard after that. They focused and had a determination in the way that they prepared. I think our guys did a really good job with their attitude and their effort throughout the last 10 days to get ready. There was some real highs and some real lows in the game tonight and we rode the wave and weathered the storm." - Head Coach, Jeff Monken
On the team's morale before the final drive...
"There was never any feeling of dejection on the sideline. These guys were never ready to pack it in. They came here to Fort Worth to win and they were determined to find a way to win. We talked about it all week, we talked about it before the game, we talked about it at halftime. We knew that we were going to fight, scratch and claw to find a way to win." - Head Coach. Jeff Monken
On Jabari Laws' last-minute drive to help Army get into field goal range...
"To see a guy like Jabari Laws who has gone through so much and has battled back from all the setbacks was huge for us. He has played throughout the year and he has made some plays for us. We needed him to win the game. If we didn't have Jabari Laws, we wouldn't have won the game today." - Head Coach, Jeff Monken
On what it feels like to end the season with a win....
"I'm thrilled that we won the game and I'm really happy for our seniors and that they were able to finished their careers as champions but I think more than anything I'm just really happy about the effort that these guys put in and how much they lean on each other and trust each other. The love that they have for each other, that is what won this game." - Head Coach, Jeff Monken
FOLLOW ALONG
For complete coverage of Army West Point football, follow the Black Knights on Twitter and Instagram at @ArmyWP_Football and online at www.goarmywestpoint.com.
Though Army (9-4) did not gain the lead until the fourth quarter, which saw 16 combined points scored, Talley's 41-yard boot helped the Cadets improve to 4-0 in the Armed Forces Bowl as the game clock expired.
In addition to Talley's efforts, the team was also boosted to the win by linebacker Arik Smith, who was named the game MVP. The team captain finished the night with 12 tackles and a pair of sacks for 13 yards.
In the fifth all-time meeting between the programs, the first half was controlled by Missouri (6-7, 2-5 SEC). The Tigers used a game-opening touchdown and a 22-yard field goal to jump out to an early 10-0 lead. Army had a chance to respond on its first drive of the night, but its field goal attempt went wide left.
After struggling in the opening quarter, the Black Knights' offense found its rhythm in the second quarter. Quarterback Christian Anderson started a possession with a 42-yard pass to running back Tyrell Robinson, and the Cadets cruised from there as Anderson later found pay dirt with a 22-yard run that cut the Tigers' lead down to 10-7 two minutes into the second quarter.
Missouri answered the push with back-to-back field goals to extend its lead ahead of the halftime break. Both linebacker Malkelm Morrison and Smith made crucial plays on each drive to prevent the team from reaching the end zone. Morrison came up with a huge tackle on third down, while Smith's five-yard sack limited the Mizzou lead to 16-7.
Army started to regain momentum after the pause, striking on its first possession of the second half. Though the drive was nearly stopped by the Tigers' defense, running back Jakobi Buchanan prolonged the attack by converting a fourth-and-one. Two plays later, he recorded a 10-yard touchdown run that cut the Mizzou advantage down to 16-14 with eight minutes left in the quarter.
The Black Knights got to work quickly in their overtaking of the SEC foe in the fourth quarter. After marching down the field and into the red zone, quarterback Tyhier Tyler connected on a 14-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Walters for Army's first lead of the night at 21-16 with 6:30 remaining.
Missouri's initial chances to respond were crushed by Army's defense, as safety Marquel Broughton forced a fumble before the team could cross the 50-yard line. Linebacker Andre Carter II recovered the ball to give Army's offense another chance to work, but the team went three-and-out.
Mizzou took advantage of its final possession of the night, working its way down the field after punter Zach Harding forced the drive to start on the two-yard line. Eventually, a six-yard touchdown pass allowed the Tigers to regain the lead at 22-21 with less than 90 seconds left.
The Black Knights, who have proven their resilience throughout the season, refused to go down without a fight and used a full-team effort to rally past the Tigers. Appearing for the first time all evening, quarterback Jabari Laws came in under center and led a heroic, eight-play, 51-yard drive that was highlighted by a pair of long passes to wide receiver Isaiah Alston. Though Laws was unable to reach pay dirt, he set up Talley's game-winning kick in his final game as a Black Knight.
With the result, the Black Knights improve to 7-3 in Bowl games, which includes a 4-1 record under head coach Jeff Monken. The victory additionally moves Monken (58-43) up the program's all-time wins list, as he is now tied with former head coach Charles Daly (58-13-3; 1913-16, 1919-22) as the second-winningest Army Football coach.
QUOTABLE
On the come-from-behind win...
"I'm just happy we got it done. In that second half, in that fourth quarter, we grinded. We put everything we have worked on this season together and worked with each other and complimented each other and it is an amazing feeling to get the win." – Junior captain and safety, Marquel Broughton
On Jabari Laws getting leading the team down the field on the final drive...
"I know there are a lot of great stories in college football, but I really don't' think there is one that is better than that. Jabari [Laws] puts in so much work that goes unseen and for him to go out like that and put together that drive with 1:30 left when I know so many people were counting us out. He led the offense to perfection and got us into field goal range by making some really great plays and then Cole [Talley] finished it off." – Junior fullback, Jakobi Buchanan
On getting put in on the final drive...
"I was jus grateful for the opportunity. I know the whole team trusted me with the responsibility in that moment. I have to thank the guys in the quarterback room who have been through it all with me and I can't thank them enough because without them I wouldn't be here, especially these two [Christian Anderson and Thyier Tyler]. I'll always remember this." - Senior quarterback Jabari Laws
On managing relationships with the other quarterbacks on the team...
"I think it starts with our relationship off the field. We're all extremely close off the field and that definitely helps us out when it comes to playing football. There is never any animosity towards whoever is playing. We all wish for nothing but success for the guys who is playing. I think that is a struggle for other teams and when it comes to our team, we all just want to win and were always going to cheer on the guys who gives us the best chance to win." - Senior quarterback, Christian Anderson
On what was going through his head berfore the game-winning kick...
"When I went out there I couldn't stop thinking about everyone in this brotherhood because they all mean so much to me and I would do anything for them and I know they would do anything for me. I just love these guys so much and I'm really happy about this win." – Junior kicker, Cole Talley
On how the team made adjustments throughout the game...
"It was a hard-fought game. There were a few times where it seemed like momentum was going against us. That was something Coach talked to us about and he stressed the importance of getting that turned around at the right time. I think we did a great job of that today and that is credit to the way we prepare week in and week out so when the moment comes, we execute, and we did that today." – Senior captain and linebacker, Arik Smith
On the mental side of kicking in college football...
"Kicking is a huge mental game. These guys mean a lot to me and I want to do the best that I can in order for them to succeed. This season I think my mental game has improved a lot and that is all thanks to Coach Saturnio. He emphasizes the importance of the mental game and has done so much research into it and that has impacted my game so much. I know everyone in the special teams room has my back and that is what helped me tonight." Junior kicker, Cole Talley
On what he saw from his team tonight...
"What to say after a win like that… I'm almost speechless. I want to talk about every single kid in that locker room and the toughness and resiliency shown by every one of them. 11 days ago, we got gut punched and to come up on the short end is tough. Our team really practiced hard after that. They focused and had a determination in the way that they prepared. I think our guys did a really good job with their attitude and their effort throughout the last 10 days to get ready. There was some real highs and some real lows in the game tonight and we rode the wave and weathered the storm." - Head Coach, Jeff Monken
On the team's morale before the final drive...
"There was never any feeling of dejection on the sideline. These guys were never ready to pack it in. They came here to Fort Worth to win and they were determined to find a way to win. We talked about it all week, we talked about it before the game, we talked about it at halftime. We knew that we were going to fight, scratch and claw to find a way to win." - Head Coach. Jeff Monken
On Jabari Laws' last-minute drive to help Army get into field goal range...
"To see a guy like Jabari Laws who has gone through so much and has battled back from all the setbacks was huge for us. He has played throughout the year and he has made some plays for us. We needed him to win the game. If we didn't have Jabari Laws, we wouldn't have won the game today." - Head Coach, Jeff Monken
On what it feels like to end the season with a win....
"I'm thrilled that we won the game and I'm really happy for our seniors and that they were able to finished their careers as champions but I think more than anything I'm just really happy about the effort that these guys put in and how much they lean on each other and trust each other. The love that they have for each other, that is what won this game." - Head Coach, Jeff Monken
FOLLOW ALONG
For complete coverage of Army West Point football, follow the Black Knights on Twitter and Instagram at @ArmyWP_Football and online at www.goarmywestpoint.com.
Team Stats
MIZ
ARMY
Total Yards
433
306
Pass Yards
238
95
Rushing Yards
195
211
Penalty Yards
40
35
1st Downs
28
21
3rd Downs
6
5
4th Downs
0
5
TOP
29:00
31:00
1st Quarter
MIZ 7, ARMY 0
MIZ - Cook, Brady 30 yd run (Mevis, Harrison kick), 7 plays, 72 yards, TOP 3:05
MIZ 10, ARMY 0
MIZ - Mevis, Harrison 22 yd field goal 8 plays, 69 yards, TOP 3:27
2nd Quarter
MIZ 10, ARMY 7
ARMY - ANDERSON, C. 22 yd run (TALLEY, Cole kick), 6 plays, 75 yards, TOP 1:59
MIZ 13, ARMY 7
MIZ - Mevis, Harrison 25 yd field goal 16 plays, 67 yards, TOP 7:57
MIZ 16, ARMY 7
MIZ - Mevis, Harrison 39 yd field goal 11 plays, 64 yards, TOP 3:49
3rd Quarter
MIZ 16, ARMY 14
ARMY - BUCHANAN, J. 10 yd run (TALLEY, Cole kick), 17 plays, 75 yards, TOP 8:25
4th Quarter
MIZ 16, ARMY 21
ARMY - WALTERS, B. 14 yd pass from TYLER, T. (TALLEY, Cole kick) 13 plays, 56 yards, TOP 6:29
MIZ 22, ARMY 21
MIZ - Chism, Keke 6 yd pass from Cook, Brady (Cook, Brady passfailed) 11 plays, 83 yards, TOP 1:33
MIZ 22, ARMY 24
ARMY - TALLEY, Cole 41 yd field goal 8 plays, 51 yards, TOP 1:11
Game Leaders
Passing Leaders
CMP
2
TD
0
YDS
21
INT
0
Players Mentioned
WR
/ Football
QB
/ Football
DB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
OLB
/ Football
P
/ FootballQB
/ Football
OLB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
LB
/ Football
K
/ Football
QB
/ Football
RB
/ FootballArmy Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2025
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