Two-point conversion, defensive TD in final minutes lift Army to bowl win

Army converted a last-minute two-point conversion, giving the Black Knights a victory in Saturday's Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl over San Diego State.

After a touchdown cut San Diego State's lead to a point, Army quarterback Ahmad Bradshaw pitched the ball to fullback Kell Walker, who raced untouched into the end zone to give Army (10-3) a 36-35 lead with 18 seconds to go. The call and the successful execution sent the crowd of 35,986 into a frenzy in Fort Worth, Texas.

"I just felt like we needed to win it in regulation," Army coach Jeff Monken said. "I think they (the Aztecs) were going to set a world record for yards per play. That (Ahmaad) Penny kid -- what a player. I just didn't want to give him a chance to get the ball again. Our guys just kept believing, found a way, made some plays, and came out with a victory. I'm just so proud of our team."

San Diego State took over on its own 40, looking for a field goal attempt for the win. But a quarterback sack by cadet Alex Aukerman and an intentional grounding call meant that the Aztecs (10-3) were in a second-and-20 with just 7 seconds remaining. The Aztecs' last play started with a swing pass to the right followed by a razzle-dazzle sequence of laterals going both right and left. Ultimately, the final lateral missed its receiver and fell to the turf. Army's Elijah Riley picked up the loose ball and ran 29 yards into the end zone to ice the Black Knights' 42-35 triumph.

With the victory, Army notched its second ever 10-win season (since beginning inter-collegiate football in 1890) and its second consecutive bowl game triumph to cap a year which included a second consecutive win in the Army-Navy game, a win over Air Force and possession of the Commander-In-Chief's Trophy for the first time since 1995.

"The leadership that this senior class has provided this program is unreal," Monken said. "The trust and the commitment and the love that they have had for the guys on this team to represent West Point and our United States Army is just incredible. I couldn't be more proud of them. They're a great group of guys -- we're going to miss them."

The game featured a combination of similarities and differences. Both teams focused on running attacks, but they executed differently. Army used the same methodical running attack that finished the 2017 season as the leading rushing team in the nation; the team from West Point was effective in controlling the clock for 46 minutes while calling 91 plays (87 rushes by 10 different players that gained 440 yards). San Diego State, which had a noticeable advantage in the height and weight of its linemen, relied on big plays to get the job done. The Aztecs had the ball for just 14 minutes and gained 280 yards on 31 plays.

On the fourth play from scrimmage, Penny broke through the Army line and sped 81 yards into the end zone, giving San Diego State a 7-0 lead. Penny was the leading rusher in the nation this year with more than 2,000 yards gained. On Saturday, he ran for 221 yards -- his fifth consecutive game with 200 or more running yards -- and four touchdowns on just 14 carries.

Navy will see if it can end its season on a similar high note when the midshipmen play Virginia in the Military Bowl at Annapolis on Dec. 28.