One College Football Program Made History on Thursday Night

Part of what makes college football so special is the opportunity for often overlooked programs to make a splash in any given year. That aspect of the sport has taken on a new light with the 12-team College Football Playoff, as the highest-ranked Group of Five champion will also play in the postseason.

Mid-major powerhouses like Boise State, Liberty and Memphis led the preseason discussion, but another program has emerged as a contender for a playoff spot after dominance through four games.

The Army Black Knights deserve a closer look after making 30-year history on Thursday night. Headed into the Week 5 matchup against the Temple Owls, the Knights sat at 3-0 after finishing 6-6 last season. Army wasn't expected to be a major contender in the Group of Five race considering its move to the American Athletic Conference this season.

But that isn't the case as of Thursday night after a 42-14 win on the road at Temple. For only the third time in program history, Army is off to a 4-0 start.

The Knights have ran through their schedule with ease thus far. After outscoring the first three opponents by a margin of 145-42, Army showed no signs of slowing down versus Temple.

Led by 11th-year head coach Jeff Monken, Army rushed for 417 yards and five touchdowns against the Owls, who totaled 219 yards on the night. The Knights lead the nation in rushing offense and sit 25th in total defense through four games.

Senior quarterback Bryson Daily was the star of the night, rushing 24 times for 152 yards with three scores. Sophomore tailback Kanye Udoh added 128 yards on 14 carries with a touchdown of his own.

Army still has a long way to go to clinch a playoff birth. Although the Knights will likely be heavy underdogs, they will meet No. 16 Notre Dame at Yankee Stadium on Nov. 23. The Fighting Irish have already lost to a Group of Five team this season, a 16-14 loss to Northern Illinois in Week 2. A win against a powerhouse like Notre Dame could hold massive postseason implications for the Knights.

Army will be back in action on Oct. 5 at Tulsa (2-2)

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