In the crisp autumn air of West Point, a classic gridiron battle unfolded that felt like a throwback to a different era of football. It wasn’t about flashy plays or high-flying acrobatics. It was about grit, control, and the sheer will to dominate the clock. In a heart-pounding contest that came down to the wire, the Army Black Knights masterfully executed their game plan, holding off a determined Temple Owls team for a 14-13 victory. The final score tells a story of a game decided by the slimmest of margins, but the box score reveals the real truth: Army won this game by playing keep-away.

The Black Knights controlled the ball for a staggering 15 more minutes than the Owls. In modern football, that kind of disparity is almost unheard of. It was a suffocating performance, a strategic masterpiece of clock management that left Temple’s offense watching helplessly from the sidelines.

The Unforgettable Final Drive

The defining moment of the game was not a touchdown or an interception, but a drive. A soul-crushing, 18-play marathon that consumed the final 9 minutes and 53 seconds of the game. When Temple punted the ball away, they couldn’t have imagined it would be the last time their offense touched the field.

Starting from their own 42-yard line, Army embarked on a drive for the ages. It was a methodical, relentless march down the field. They faced two critical fourth-and-one situations and converted both, each conversion feeling like a dagger to the hearts of the Temple faithful. The Black Knights finished the day an impressive 4-of-5 on fourth downs, a testament to their unwavering confidence in their system.

As the clock dwindled, a strange scene unfolded. Temple’s defense, exhausted and out of timeouts, was practically begging Army to score a touchdown to get the ball back. But quarterback Cale Hellums and the Army offense had other plans. In a brilliant display of game awareness, Hellums slid down at the 4-yard line, refusing the easy score. He then took a knee twice, sealing the victory in the most Army way possible: by simply refusing to give the ball back.

A Game of Inches and Long Drives

The game was a defensive battle from the start, with both teams scoreless in the first quarter. Army finally broke the stalemate in the second with an 11-play, 73-yard drive, capped off by a powerful 7-yard touchdown run from Jake Rendina.

But Temple fought back. A field goal just before halftime cut the lead, and a 2-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Evan Simon to Colin Chase gave the Owls a precarious 10-7 lead. For a moment, it seemed Temple had found a way to counter Army’s relentless ground attack.

That hope was short-lived. Army opened the second half with their signature style, embarking on another epic drive. This time, it was a 14-play, 75-yard journey that chewed up 8 minutes and 21 seconds of the third quarter. Cale Hellums punched it in from 3 yards out, putting Army ahead for good. The drive was a microcosm of their entire game plan: wear down the defense, control the clock, and impose your will.

Cale Hellums: The Field General

While his passing stats won’t turn any heads—just 1 of 3 for 26 yards—Hellums was the undisputed MVP of this game. He was the conductor of the orchestra, a field general who executed the game plan to perfection. Hellums rushed for 118 yards, constantly keeping the Temple defense off balance with his decisive reads and tough running. His leadership and poise, especially on that final, game-clinching drive, were the difference-makers.

On the other side, Temple’s Simon played a respectable game, completing 15 of 25 passes for 157 yards and a touchdown. But he and the Owls’ offense simply didn’t have enough opportunities. It’s tough to find a rhythm when you spend most of the game on the sidelines, watching your opponent grind out first down after first down.

This was more than just a win for Army; it was an affirmation of their identity. In an age of spread offenses and hurry-up attacks, the Black Knights proved that there is still a place for old-school, smash-mouth football. It was a victory built on discipline, execution, and an unshakeable belief in their system. For Temple, it was a brutal lesson in the importance of every single possession, a painful reminder that you can’t win a game you’re not allowed to play.