Army Runs Over UConn in Fenway Bowl

The Army Black Knights ran over the UConn Huskies on their way to a 41-16 Wasabi Fenway Bowl win. Army relied on its run game in the Fenway Bowl, rushing for 368 total yards behind six different ball carriers. UConn kept it close in the first half, even scoring first to open the game, but Army ran away with it in the second half. The Black Knights controlled the time of possession, with their offense holding the ball for 12 more minutes than the Huskies. Army’s offense finished the day holding the ball for 36 minutes. Not only did the Black Knights rush for over 350 yards, but they also had 476 yards of total offense and 209 more total yards than UConn. The Huskies couldn’t get a rhythm going or get out of the hole they put themselves in.

Army Runs Over UConn to a 41-16 Win

UConn utilized a freshman quarterback in the Fenway Bowl after Joe Fagnano decided not to play. He decided to prepare for the NFL Draft instead. Ksaan Farrar appeared in one game this season before being called on to lead the Huskies in the Fenway Bowl. He had two passing attempts in that game for only 17 yards. In the Fenway Bowl, the freshman signal caller played a clean, if lackluster, game. Farrar went 11-for-17 for only 84 yards through the air, but he did rush for one touchdown. The biggest thing for Farrar is that he didn’t turn the ball over. Even if Interim Head Coach Gordon Sammis won’t be the decision-maker moving forward, he can take that away as a positive from the young quarterback. Toledo’s former Head Coach Jason Candle will have a lot to improve on this Spring after the showing against Army.

Army Utilized One Receiver in Win

It is not often there is one wide receiver on the stat sheet at the end of a football game, but that was the case in the Wasabi Fenway Bowl for Army. Quarterback Cale Hellums had a productive day through the air and on the ground. He was responsible for three touchdowns. However, Hellums only attempted eight passes. Hellums completed seven of eight passes for 108 yards and one touchdown. All seven of those completions went to one receiver, Noah Short. Short averaged 15.4 yards per reception and had a long of 40 yards. The rest of the offense was accomplished on the ground.

UConn had no answer for the Army rushing attack. Six different Black Knights ran the ball against the Huskies. Leading the way was Godspower Nwawuihe with 171 rushing yards on 12 carries. Nwawuihe averaged 14.3 yards per rush and scored two touchdowns. He had a long 70-yard touchdown run in the third quarter to give Army a 20-10 lead and the first of Army’s two third-quarter touchdowns. This was just Nwawuihe’s fourth game of the season with carries. Further, this was his first game with more than five carries this season. The second-leading rusher was Jake Rendina. Rendina rushed for 87 yards on 14 carries. Carson Smith was responsible for the final touchdown of Army’s five rushing touchdowns. Hellums, Short, and quarterback Dewayne Coleman were the other three rushers. Coleman entered the game for Hellums once it was obvious that the game was over.

Momentum for Army

The Fenway Bowl win was the second consecutive bowl win for Army. Last season, Army came away with a win over Louisiana Tech in the Independence Bowl. Head Coach Jeff Monken’s team had a back-and-forth 2025 season. Getting this big win to end an up-and-down year is great momentum into the Spring. This UConn team was without many key playmakers and its head coach, but what Army was able to accomplish in the Fenway Bowl gives Monken flashes of what this team can accomplish next season.