Army has played four one-possession contests in the last month and 13 over the past two seasons – the Black Knights are 2-2 this season and 6-7 since the start of 2025.
“I fully anticipate that we’re probably going to live in that world,” head coach Jeff Monken said.
It’s not comfortable, for sure, and it’s hard to say Army has learned to play better in such scenarios, born out by the record.
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South Florida scored two touchdowns in the final four minutes – the last coming with 19 seconds remaining – to beat Army 28-24 on Sept. 12.
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Army directed a 12-playing scoring drive in the final six minutes at Temple, and then held off a late rally for a 21-17 win on Sept. 25.
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Army posted two touchdown drives in the fourth quarter – the second with 1:10 left – but could not gain the onsides kick and lost at Louisiana Tech 31-29 on Oct. 3.
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Army rallied from down 10-7 and 17-10 in the fourth quarter, chewing up the final 3:55 of regulation to set up Dawson Jones’ 25-yard game-winning field goal as time expired in a 20-17 decision over Tulane on Oct. 10.
“I can’t speak for whether we’ve turned a corner or not,” Monken said. “We’re going to have close games, and we’re going to have to slug it out and find a way at the end. It’s just who we are. … We’ve got to live in that world and find a way to finish.”
In a matchup of contrasting styles next Saturday, a run-dominant Army team (3-2, 2-1 American) squares off against a pass-happy Florida Atlantic squad (4-1, 1-0 American).
Army football: Changing course
Army headed into the Tulane game knowing the Green Wave like to establish the run, especially on the inside.
But the Black Knights must change gears, and quickly. Florida Atlantic will throw the ball all over the place, says Monken, and the Owls waste no time between plays, ranking second in the nation with utilizing the least amount of play clock.
Stopping, or at least slowing down quick tempo teams has not been a forte for Army’s defense in recent seasons.
Army opened as a three-point favorite, but that has been reduced to 2.5 points as of Monday evening. While the last two games were predicted to be low-scoring affairs, the oddsmakers have the over-under at 55.5 points, expecting the Owls to put up some points and needing Army to close out more drives with seven points rather than three.
On what channel is Army football vs. Florida Atlantic?
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Channel: CBS Sports Network
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Webstream: CBSsports.com/cbs-sports-network/
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Sirius XM: Army broadcast on SXM Ch. 167
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Radio: WBNR 1260-AM, 96.5-FM; WLNA 1420-AM, 94.3-FM; WGHQ 920-AM, 92.5-FM
Army vs. Florida Atlantic will air live on CBS Sports Network from Michie Stadium at West Point, New York.
The Black Knights and Owls will kick off at noon ET on Saturday, Oct. 10. Jack Gordon handles the TV play-by-play, Taylor McHargue the analysis and Tina Cervasio the sideline reporting.
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
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Saturday, Sept. 5 — vs. Bryant, W 59-3
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Saturday, Sept. 12 — vs. South Florida, L 24-28
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Saturday, Sept. 19 — idle
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Friday, Sept. 25 — at Temple, W 21-17
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Saturday, Oct. 3 — at Louisiana Tech, L 29-31
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Saturday, Oct. 10 — vs. Tulane, W 20-17
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Saturday, Oct. 17 — vs. Florida Atlantic, noon (CBSSN)
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Friday, Oct. 23 — at Tulsa, 8:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2)
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Saturday, Oct. 31 — at Memphis, TBD (ESPN network)
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Saturday, Nov. 7 — vs Air Force, 7:30 p.m. (CBS)
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Saturday, Nov. 14 — idle
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Saturday, Nov. 21 — vs. East Carolina, noon (CBSSN)
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Saturday, Nov. 28 — at Rice, TBD (ESPN network)
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Saturday, Dec. 12 — vs. Navy, 3 p.m. (MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J.) (CBS)
Florida Atlantic football schedule
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Saturday, Sept. 5 — at Florida, L 21-66
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Saturday, Sept. 12 — vs. Navy, W 38-30
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Saturday, Sept. 19 — vs. Florida International, W 16-10
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Saturday, Sept. 26 — at Louisiana Monroe, W 45-17
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Saturday, Oct. 3 — vs. Texas Southern, W 66-10
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Saturday, Oct. 10 — idle
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Saturday, Oct. 17 — vs. Army, noon (CBSSN)
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Saturday, Oct. 24 — vs. Rice, noon (ESPNU)
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Thursday, Oct. 29 — at North Texas, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN network)
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Thursday, Nov. 5 — vs. Texas San Antonio, 8 p.m. (ESPN network)
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Saturday, Nov. 14 —at Tulsa, TBD (ESPN network)
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Saturday, Nov. 21 — vs. South Florida, TBD (ESPN network)
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Friday, Nov. 27 — at East Carolina, TBD (ESPN network)
X / Twitter: @KenMcMillanTHR
This article originally appeared on Times Herald-Record: Army football coach Jeff Monken – Get used to close games
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