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Army Losing Key Starter to Transfer Portal After Loss to Navy

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Grant Bricker | Last updated Dec 15, 2024 3:18 PM ET

Army and Navy faced off in the 125th all-time meeting of their rivalry game on Saturday. No. 22 Army came into the matchup with a two-game winning streak against Navy.

That winning streak ended as Navy upset Army 31-13 as a six-and-a-half-point underdog on ESPN BET. Army received more unfortunate news after the game had concluded, as Black Knights running back Kanye Udoh entered the transfer portal, per On3's Pete Nakos.

Udoh was second on the team in rushing yards (1,117) this season, behind quarterback Bryson Daily (1,532). Udoh had 11 touchdowns and averaged 6.2 yards per carry in Army's triple-option offense.

Army starting running back Kanye Udoh has officially entered the transfer portal, @On3sports has learned. https://t.co/Jhy50Iu3Gn
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos_) December 15, 2024

Udoh was a former three-star prospect in the 2022 class out of Richland, New Jersey. He picked the Black Knights over Temple, Rutgers, UConn, and UMass.

The Army running back had an impact as a freshman in 2023, finishing second on the team with 524 rushing yards in 10 games. He played in 13 games this season for the Black Knights. His Army tenure ended with 14 carries for 53 rushing yards in losing to Navy.

Udoh is the second Army player to opt for the transfer portal. The Black Knights also lost freshman running back Jack Kayser to the portal when it opened on Dec. 9.

Army started the season on a hot streak, winning its first nine games. In Week 13, Notre Dame ended the Black Knights' unbeaten streak with a 49-14 loss.

Army went on to win the American Athletic Conference title after beating Tulane 35-14. The Black Knights moved to the conference after being an FBS Independent from 2005-23.

The Black Knights were set to face Marshall in the Independence Bowl to close the 2024 season. However, the Thundering Herd had to opt out of the game after more than 25 players transferred out of the program following head coach Charles Huff's departure.

After winning the Sun Belt title, Huff left for the same position at Southern Miss. With no more 6-6 teams, officials had to find a 5-7 team with a high Academic Progress Rate to take Marshall's place. The APR ratings hold programs accountable for the academic progress of their student-athletes.

Last season, Minnesota was 5-7 but made a bowl due to its high APR rating.

The bowl will now be between Army and Louisiana Tech on Dec. 28. Kickoff is at 9:15 p.m. ET on ESPN.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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