In their first matchup of the 2025 Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy series, Army West Point football took home a win against Air Force after a barnburner that ended in a game-winning 27-yard field goal by yearling Dawson Jones ’28. 

The 20-17 win marks the first for the Black Knights at Falcon Stadium since 2019. The winning field goal followed an Air Force game-tying touchdown, and a 42-yard pass from Army quarterback Cale Hellums to wide receiver Brady Anderson to set up the kick.

Hellums led Army in rushing with 98 yards across 26 carries, with a touchdown on the ground. He also went 5-for-9 passing with 102 yards and a score. Defensively, Collin Matteson’s career-high in tackles were a team-high of the game. 

With pre-game tailgates and 39,441 fans attending the service academy rivalry game, West Point alumni and Army fans cheered their team on to victory. (SEE PHOTOS)

The Black Knights will have a chance to win back the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy on December 13 versus Navy in Baltimore, Md. The trophy was introduced in 1972 and is presented by the President of the United States, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. Army has captured the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy 10 times in program history, most recently in 2023. 

The first ever meeting between Army and Air Force took place on Halloween in 1959 at Yankee Stadium. Even though it ended in a tie, that game became the largest college football crowd in New York City since Army played Notre Dame 13 years before.

With Army’s victory against Air Force on the road, they tie their longest win streak against the Falcons (3) and bring themselves to .500 on the season.

(Photos by Justin Conti)