Army Scores 4Q Touchdown Capping 96 Yard Drive, Wins 14-7 Over Rice

The Army Black Knights returned to their winning ways at Michie Stadium, opening up the 2019 season with a 14-7 victory over the Rice Owls.



A quiet first quarter passed by without either team able to establish themselves on the scoreboard. The action, however, quickly ramped up as the second quarter got underway. Army senior wideout Christian Hayes provided a major spark for the Black Knights’ offensive, breaking through for a 35-yard run. Several plays later, senior quarterback Kelvin Hopkins JR. found the end zone, punching in Army’s first score of the game. Rice did not trail long. Owls running back Nashon Ellerbe broke through Army’s defense, powering his way to a 54-yard touchdown run. Prior to the end of quarter two, Will Harrison missed his second field goal of the game for Rice, leaving both sides to hit half-time tied up at seven a piece.



Army and Rice battled for establishment during the third quarter, but neither was able to put up any points. After a grinding game of fighting in the trenches, the Black Knights finally broke through in the fourth quarter. Hopkins JR. connected with his fellow senior and roommate, running back Kell Walker, on a 17-yard touchdown pass, sealing an 18-play drive that chewed up nine minutes and twenty one seconds of game clock. Rice refused to go down without a fight, driving down to Army territory, but the Black Knights’ defense held firm, stopping the owls on fourth down to ensure a 14-7 victory.



Army hits the road next week and will travel to “The Big House” in Ann Arbor, Michigan to take on the seventh ranked Michigan Wolverines.