MANHATTAN, Kan. — Under the lights at Bill Snyder Family Stadium in front of 52,723 fans, the Army Black Knights football team (1-1) came from behind in the second half to secure a 24-21 win over the Kansas State Wildcats (1-2) on Sept. 6.
It was the Black Knights' first win over a Big 12 opponent since Sept. 23, 2006, a 27-24 overtime victory at Baylor. It was also Army's first power conference win in a true road game since a 21-13 victory at Wake Forest Oct. 29, 2016.
In the second half, Army out gained Kansas State 192-48 in total yardage and 143-5 in rushing yards. The Black Knights ran 46 total second-half plays, to K-State's 13, and held the ball for 26:59 to the Wildcats' 3:01.
Junior Cale Hellums made his first start behind center, with senior Dewayne Coleman not 100% following an injury last week. Hellums rushed for 124 yards and two touchdowns, including the go-ahead score with 2:52 remaining. It marked consecutive weeks that the Army starting QB has eclipsed 100 yards on the ground. The Tomball, Texas native also passed 7-for-11 for 43 yards and a touchdown throw before halftime.
Hellums' 41 total rushes were the most by any player in a single game in program history.
Army's 237 rushing yards were the most allowed by a K-State team since 2023.
The Black Knights trailed by as much as 13-0 in the first half and were down 21-14 in the fourth quarter. After trimming that margin to 21-17 midway through the fourth quarter, Army recovered the football on its own kickoff and proceeded to drive 56 yards on 14 plays, moving the sticks on a pair of fourth downs and capping the possession with a 14-yard Hellums rush with 2:52 to go in the game to take a lead it would never relinquish.
If Hellums was the hero on offense, none may have shined brighter down the stretch than Collin Matteson on defense. After breaking up a deep Avery Johnson pass just before the two-minute timeout, the safety from Edmond, Oklahoma, intercepted Johnson with just 1:35 remaining in the game to seal the victory effectively.
LB Andon Thomas led the team in tackles with nine, including eight solo tackles, on Saturday.