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For the past two seasons, Army football has not found a way to grab comfortable leads and hold on to them.
The result has been a handful of crushing collapses and a a slew of one-score contests, less than half of which have fallen the Black Knights’ way as Army is 5-6 in those games.
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But if there’s a silver lining in all of the anxious finishes, Army has managed to bounce back after all but one loss since the start of the 2025 season.
Last season, Army was crushed at East Carolina and then beat Alabama-Birmingham. A late loss at Tulane was followed with the win at Air Force. A one-point loss to Tulsa was followed by a win at Texas San Antonio. A one-point loss to Navy was followed by a Fenway Bowl win over Connecticut.
The trend has continued in 2026. Army gave up two touchdowns in the final four minutes in a 28-24 loss to South Florida on September 12. Following an off week, Army rallied for a 21-17 win over Temple on Sept. 25, producing a 12-play winning drive that was capped with a go-ahead touchdown with 1:41 left.
“That was huge,” a relieved Army coach Jeff Monken said after the game. “I mean, to say you’re 2-1 rather than 1-2 … it feels a lot different, sounds a lot different, so it’s great by our guys.
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“We were sorely disappointed the last time out (the South Florida loss), and to be able to have the toughness and resiliency to find a way at the end of the fourth quarter like we did to have a drive.”
Prior to the final drive by the Army offense, the defense stiffened as Temple rolled to the 15-yard line. The Owls got a 4-yard carry, and then Zane Tallman chased quarterback Ajani Sheppard for a 1-yard loss. On third down, Sheppard had a throw into the end zone elude the finger tips of receiver Colin Chase, and the Owls had to settle for a Carl Hardin 29-yard field goal (instead of a touchdown) for a 17-14 lead midway through the fourth quarter.
“We kept them out of the end zone, (they) kicked the field goal and our offense had to answer … they did,” Monken said. “That’s growth, particularly for our defense, who’s far less experienced than our offense.”
“You know, it’s no secret that we were kind of struggling in close games late,” quarterback Cale Hellums said. “To see what we did late in the game, to go up and score when we needed to, and then the defense turn around and get a stop, that’s how it should be. … To win a close game, that means all the world, and it should instill confidence in this unit and this offense and the defense.”
Sep 5, 2026; West Point, New York, USA; Army Black Knights wide receiver Brady Anderson (84) celebrates his rushing touchdown against the Bryant Bulldogs during the first half at Michie Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-Imagn Images
Army football: Bayou bound
The Black Knights are no stranger to visiting the state of Louisiana, having played in the Independence Bowl, in Shreveport, twice (1996, 2024), getting crushed 62-0 at Louisiana State, in Baton Rouge, in 2023 and facing Tulane 12 times (eight times this century) in New Orleans.
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This will be Army’s first trip to Ruston, Louisiana, home of the Bulldogs. Ruston is about 90 minutes east of Shreveport, in the northern part of the state.
Army is an early 2.5-point favorite over Louisiana Tech.
Here’s how to watch Army take on the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs on the road, including time and TV information:
On what channel is Army football at Louisiana Tech?
Channel: ESPN Plus (subscription)
Sirius XM: Army broadcast on SXM Ch. 167
Radio: WBNR 1260-AM, 96.5-FM; WLNA 1420-AM, 94.3-FM; WGHQ 920-AM, 92.5-FM
Army at Louisiana Tech will air live on ESPN from Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
The Black Knights and Bulldogs will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Oct. 3. The TV play-by-play and analysts are to be determined.
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More: College football TV, radio, web schedules for 2026
The Army football radio network features WBNR (1260-AM, 96.5-FM), WLNA (1420-AM, 94.3-FM) and WGHQ (920-AM, 92.5-FM). The game can also be heard on The Varsity app, Knight Vision website and Sirius XM Ch. 167. Rich DeMarco, Dean Darling, sideline reporter Tony Morino and host Joe Beckerle have the radio call.
Buy Army football tickets this season with StubHub
Army football schedule
Saturday, Sept. 5 — vs. Bryant, W 59-3
Saturday, Sept. 12 — vs. South Florida, L 24-28
Saturday, Sept. 19 — idle
Friday, Sept. 25 — at Temple, W 21-17
Saturday, Oct. 3 — at Louisiana Tech, 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
Saturday, Oct. 10 — vs. Tulane, noon (CBSSN)
Friday, Oct. 23 — at Tulsa, 8:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2)
Saturday, Oct. 31 — at Memphis, TBD (ESPN network)
Saturday, Nov. 7 — vs Air Force, 7:30 p.m. (CBS)
Saturday, Nov. 14 — idle
Saturday, Nov. 21 — vs. East Carolina, noon (CBSSN)
Saturday, Nov. 28 — at Rice, TBD (ESPN network)
Saturday, Dec. 12 — vs. Navy, 3 p.m. (MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J.) (CBS)
Louisiana Tech football schedule
Saturday, Sept. 12 — at Louisiana State, L 14-45
Saturday, Sept. 19 — at Baylor, L 19-36
Friday, Sept. 25 — idle
Saturday, Oct. 3 — vs. Army, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN+)
Saturday, Oct. 10 — vs. Louisiana, 7:30 p.m (ESPN+)
Saturday, Oct. 17 — at Louisiana Monroe, TBD (ESPN network)
Saturday, Oct. 24 — vs. Old Dominion, TBD (ESPN network)
Saturday, Oct. 31 — at South Alabama, TBD (ESPN network)
Saturday, Nov. 7 — at Troy, TBD (ESPN network)
Saturday, Nov. 14 — vs. Southern Mississippi, TBD (ESPN network)
Saturday, Nov. 21 — vs. Arkansas State, TBD (ESPN network)
Saturday, Nov. 28 — at Georgia Southern, TBD (ESPN network)
kmcmillan@th-record.com
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This article originally appeared on Times Herald-Record: Army football has shown resilience. Will it continue vs. Louisiana Tech?
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