The Army continues to be on track for success in its introduction to the American Athletic Conference.

The Black Knights were perfect with touchdowns on four first-half drives, thanks to senior quarterback Bryson Daily’s five touchdowns — he threw for two and ran for three more, setting a career high. Add to that a couple of interceptions and a blocked field goal, and Army never had anything to fear in a 37-14 victory over Rice on a glorious Saturday afternoon at Michie Stadium.

Army is off to its first 3-0 start since 2021, its winning streak stretching to seven games since October 2023. The Black Knights have a short week, traveling to Philadelphia for a primetime game against Temple on Thursday. Rice is struggling with an 0-4 start.

“It certainly makes it easier for everyone,” said Army coach Jeff Monken of the 3-0 start.

More: TV, radio and web schedules for college football in 2024

Daily rushed for 145 yards, marking the first time in his career that he has rushed for at least 100 yards in consecutive games. His three rushing scores are also a career newcomer. He has 1,404 rushing yards and 14 rushing scores in his career, most of which have come in the last two seasons.

“If I have to run 20 or 10 times … whatever we have to do to win,” Daily said. “Some days the defense looks at certain players in a certain way. Today, it happened to be the quarterback run, which we ran quite a bit. That was the most effective play to get into the end zone.”

The Army offense managed 408 yards and 21 first downs. The Black Knights ran the ball 56 times for 288 yards, using up over 39 minutes of the game clock. The Army – which entered the game as the nation’s best rushing team – averages 356 rushing yards per game.

“I’m sure when teams defend us, they see that we’re a ball-control offense and we try to move the ball methodically down the field,” Monken said. “We don’t get impatient. … If we could get ahead, I think first of all that gives us some confidence and second of all, I think it puts pressure on the other team because they feel like they have to score because of the limited possession.”

Army applied pressure with two touchdowns in the first 16 minutes. Daily found Noah Short running up the middle, and the receiver grabbed the ball with his fingertips and scored a spectacular 41-yard touchdown three minutes into the game. After a five-and-out by Rice, Army managed 90 yards in 17 plays, capped by a 2-yard sneak on the second play of the second quarter.

Rice had a chance to slow the tempo, but Army’s Elo Modozie blocked a 37-yard field goal attempt and Casey Larkin returned it 25 yards. Positioned near the halfway line, Daily engineered a nine-play, 57-yard drive that ended with Daily jumping the line from 2 yards out for a 21-0 lead.

Rice quarterback EJ Warner — the son of Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner, who was also in attendance — struggled in the first half. On the Owls’ next snap, he turned receiver Matt Sykes the wrong way; the ball bounced off his hands and Army’s Andon Thomas secured the bouncing ball by dragging his right toe along the sideline and intercepting the ball.

And again, the Army was able to benefit: 28 seconds before halftime, Daily found Casey Reynolds with a 17-yard touchdown and thus recorded a 28-0 lead.

Rice had to allow a safety when the long snap sailed through the hands of punter Alex Bacchetta and through the back of the end zone less than two minutes into the third quarter.

After a series of successful fake plays this season, Army punter James Wagenseller completed a pass to Hayden Reed, but the play was thwarted by the Owls, so no yardage was gained.

Rice needed at least four points, so he played faster and Warner found his rhythm, completing five passes, the last of which was a 16-yard touchdown pass to Sykes, who scored the Owls’ first point.

Not to be outdone, Daily led a nine-play, 75-yard drive that resulted in a 37-7 lead with his 1-yard run down the right side with two seconds left in the final quarter.

Army junior quarterback Dewayne Coleman led the final three series as the Black Knights used many substitutes. His drives went for 26, 3 and 9 yards and cost nearly nine minutes of possession.

Notes: With numerous defenders in action, Adam Cash led Army with five tackles, and Max DiDomenico (playing with a protective stick on his injured right hand), Larkin and Thomas each had four. Baylor Newsom had a late interception, while DiDomenico, Jabril Williams and Jaxon Hammond deflected passes.

[email protected]

X / Twitter: @KenMcMillanTHR

This article originally appeared in the Times Herald-Record: Army football beats Rice at home