Army West Point opened its season — and its newly renovated Michie Stadium — in dominant fashion Saturday, routing Bryant 59-3 behind four rushing touchdowns from quarterback Cale Hellums and Zach Mundell.
The win, played before a crowd of 21,538 on a sunny, 75-degree afternoon, marked the debut of Michie Stadium’s rebuilt East Stands, part of a two-year, privately funded renovation project.
Army’s captains for the opener were Hellums, Brady Small and Owen Walters.
Bryant entered the game at 1-0, coming off a 24-6 win over Stonehill on Aug. 29.
First quarter
Army wasted little time finding the end zone. After forcing a Bryant three-and-out, the Black Knights drove 39 yards in five plays, capped by Mundell’s 15-yard touchdown run at the 11:05 mark. Dawson Jones’ extra point made it 7-0.
Army’s defense forced another quick stop, and Hellums took over on the ground, breaking off a 27-yard touchdown run on a quarterback keeper to extend the lead to 14-0 with 7:36 left in the quarter.
On Army’s next possession, Hellums capped a 10-play, 75-yard drive with a 37-yard touchdown scramble as time expired in the first quarter, putting Army ahead 21-0. Army converted all three of its third-down chances in the opening period.
Second quarter
Running back Brady Anderson added to the rout with a 30-yard touchdown run, part of an eight-play, 67-yard drive, making it 28-0 in the second quarter.
Bryant got on the board with a 28-yard field goal from Nicholas Stoyanovich, capping a 12-play, 64-yard drive to cut the deficit to 28-3.
Army answered before halftime, marching 55 yards in nine plays before Jones connected on a 37-yard field goal to send the Black Knights into the locker room with a 31-3 lead.
Second half
Army’s offense kept rolling in the third quarter. Mundell broke loose for a 66-yard touchdown run just three plays into the half, extending the lead to 38-3.
The Black Knights struck again minutes later when Godspower Nwawuihe punched in a 2-yard touchdown run to make it 45-3, aided by a Bryant face-mask penalty that gave Army an automatic first down inside the 5-yard line.
Backup quarterbacks Bryson Luter and Ethan Washington saw extended action in the second half as Army built its lead further. Carson Smith capped an eight-play, 82-yard drive with a 6-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, making it 52-3. Washington later punched in a 1-yard touchdown run to cap the scoring at 59-3.
By the numbers
Hellums finished 4-of-9 passing for 59 yards while adding 87 yards and two touchdowns on seven carries. Washington was 2-for-2 passing for 13 yards, and Luter added a 7-yard completion.
Mundell led all rushers with 105 yards and two touchdowns on just four carries. Samari Howard paced Army’s receivers with three catches for 52 yards and also contributed 63 rushing yards, finishing with a team-high 115 all-purpose yards.
Army will host South Florida next Saturday at Michie Stadium, with kickoff set for noon.