Sometimes college football serves you a slice of humble pie so big you need a forklift to carry it. That is exactly what happened to Army football Friday night when they got absolutely shellacked by Tarleton State 30-27 in double overtime at West Point. Yes, you read that right – the defending American Conference champs just got sent packing by an FCS squad. How did this game unfold?
Army Football’s Nightmare Start to 2025
Let’s be brutally honest here – this isn’t how you want to kick off your season when you’re coming off a year that had you ranked 22nd in the final College Football Playoff rankings. Army football looked like they were still stuck in summer vacation mode, while Tarleton State came to play like their lives depended on it.
The numbers tell a story that’ll make Black Knights fans want to hide under their covers. Army outgained the Texans 411-344 in total yards, which should have been enough to win comfortably. But here’s where it gets painful. They coughed up the ball three times, and each turnover felt like watching a train wreck in slow motion.
The Turning Point That Changed Everything
With just over nine minutes left in regulation, Army football committed the kind of mistake that haunts coaches’ nightmares. They fumbled the ball away at their own 16-yard line, and Tarleton State’s Victor Gabalis made them pay immediately, finding Dawson Hearne for a 15-yard touchdown that tied the game 24-24.
But wait, it gets worse. Army Kicker Dawson Jones had not one, but TWO chances to be the hero. First, with nine seconds left in regulation, he lined up for a 43-yard field goal that would’ve won it. The kick sailed wide, sending the game to overtime. Then, in double overtime, Jones got another shot from 35 yards out and missed that one, too, this time wide left. At that point, you could practically hear the collective groan from every Army football fan watching.
What Went Wrong For the Black Knights
Replacing Bryson Daily was never going to be easy. He finished sixth in Heisman voting last year and was basically Army football’s entire offensive identity. Quarterback Dewayne Coleman tried his best, completing seven passes for 129 yards while rushing for 100 yards and a touchdown. But he also threw two interceptions and got banged up enough to miss significant time.
The real killer? Tarleton State Defensive Back Kasyus Kurns had the game of his life, being involved in all three of Army’s turnovers with two picks and a fumble recovery. Sometimes one player just decides to be Superman, and there’s not much you can do about it.
Tarleton State’s Moment in the Sun
Credit where credit’s due – this wasn’t some fluke. Tarleton State came into this game ranked in the top 10 of both FCS preseason polls, and they played like it. Freshman Running Back Tre Page III has been absolutely tearing it up, following his 170-yard, two-touchdown performance against Portland State with 89 yards and a score against Army football.
This was only the second time in program history that Tarleton State had beaten an FBS opponent. The first came in 2021 when they demolished New Mexico State 43-17. Now they’ve got a signature win over a legitimate program, and Army football gets to deal with the fallout.
The Black Knights better figure things out quickly because they have Kansas State coming up on September 6, and the Wildcats are going to smell blood in the water after this performance.
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