Well, friends, that was disappointing. I honestly thought Army was gonna win last night, and like you, spent all day yesterday eagerly looking forward to the game. But we said last week that the Black Knights would need to get out to a fast start, and they absolutely did not, and that was pretty much that.
Memphis got off to an early lead, and they never looked back.
Final: Memphis 49, Army 22
— Army Football (@ArmyWP_Football) November 1, 2026
There probably is a universe in which Army wins last night’s game with 320 yards rushing on the very respectable 6.3 yards per carry that they actually managed over the course of last night’s contest. Unfortunately, that’s not the same universe as the one in which they go just 3/10 on third down or allow 554 yards of total offense and seven touchdowns to the opposition. In the universe in which Army wins, they probably gain fewer yards per carry and hit way fewer big plays but convert a lot more third and fourth downs and hold the ball a hell of a lot longer. But this isn’t that kind of Army Team, unfortunately.
As it happened, this team became boom-or-bust after their first long touchdown drive, and as much as anything, that’s why they lost. This team is and has been plenty explosive all year. However, they’ve rarely found the kind of offensive consistency that’s long been the hallmark of the most successful Jeff Monken teams. Without that consistency, their defense keeps getting exposed, and last night, it all fell apart despite those gaudy rushing stats.
It’s honestly incredible to see these guys finish with more than 300 yards rushing on 6+ yards per carry and still lose in a blowout. Before this season, I’d have said that was impossible.
Howard taking the inside pitch and follows his blockers for the TD! 📺 ESPNU #GoArmy https://t.co/hUPS9pmkFN
— Army Football (@ArmyWP_Football) November 1, 2026
But the team fell apart last night after Memphis made their initial defensive adjustments, and after that, they became utterly reliant on big plays. This led to six punts and a barrage of Memphis scoring that just kept pushing the game further and further out of reach. Meanwhile, the defense forced three punts and a critical fumble late in the first half, and as we said, maybe that would’ve been enough in some iterations of this game, but last night it wasn’t even close. This defense also gave up astronomically big plays throughout the game, dooming the effort entirely.
No one can win like this, friends. Not consistently. Not against good teams. They needed a miracle last week at Tulsa, and this week, they got their asses kicked. Now they need to find some answers, ASAP.
MUNDELL SETS IT UP AND HELLUMS RUNS IN FOR THE SCORE🙌 📺 | @ESPNCFB #BuiltToRise x @ArmyWP_Football https://t.co/r8ley9nvKW
— The American (@American_Conf) November 1, 2026
Looking Forward
In a way, this loss was easier to tolerate than some of the ones earlier this season because the game got out of hand in the first half. We all had plenty of time to see what was happening and adjust our expectations, disappointing though that seemed. But the way the team lost this game, on top of the way they’ve played overall these past two weeks, has shaken my personal faith quite a bit. This team has Air Force coming to town this coming Saturday, and as we know, the Zoomies are quite good at defending Army’s offense. If the Black Knights’ defense can’t match Air Force’s defense on Saturday, this could turn in a hurry.
Army stands 5-3, 4-2 in the American Conference, and if that’s an entirely respectable record, there’s still nothing guaranteeing this team another win or a bowl berth. These guys are going to have to earn it on the field. To do that, they’ll have to rediscover Army Football.
Oh, by the way, Air Force also runs the ball really well, ECU took Memphis to overtime and had every chance to actually win their game at the Liberty Bowl, and even lowly Rice has been playing better and almost beat FAU. So there are not any gimmes inbound.
The sweetest treat, a 𝗙𝗔𝗟𝗖𝗢𝗡 𝗪𝗜𝗡! 🙌 #FlyFightWin | @NavyFederal https://t.co/fzGC7T5C96
— Air Force Football (@AF_Football) October 31, 2026
We need better. We all know that this team has heart, and that they fight, and that they don’t give up. That’s good, honestly. But they also need to know their assignments on defense, and they need to play much more consistent football on offense. They’re not gonna beat anyone if they can’t stop beating themselves.
If they can’t figure it out, friends, the next few weeks could get rough.
No one wants that. Let’s get this cleaned up, beat Air Force, and set up a climactic contest for the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy to end the season.
Go Army! Beat Air Force!!!
