James Wagenseller’s final punt was fair-caught at South Florida’s 4. Jake Rendina’s unnecessary-roughness penalty moved the Bulls to the 19, surrendering 15 yards the defense could have made them earn. Army lost 28-24 at home after giving South Florida another possession and then shortening the field.
Before the punt, Army had a chance to exhaust the clock. Instead, three plays lost five yards, with Hamilton sacking Cale Hellums to end the possession. The defense still had a chance on fourth down. Jeff Monken said Army sent an all-out blitz; Porter beat Jaydan Mayes in man coverage for the winning touchdown. Army had opportunities to finish the game on both sides of that punt.
Army is idle in Week 3, and there is no outside result to chase this weekend. The next game is September 25 at Temple. Until then, the offense gives fans more reason for confidence than that last possession alone suggests.
Army produced three touchdown drives of at least 90 yards against South Florida, and Hellums completed nine of 10 passes for 91 yards and two touchdowns. Cody Worley is in his third season as offensive coordinator, with Hellums and four of last year’s five starting linemen returning. Army converted both fourth-down attempts and allowed only one sack, the one that ended its last meaningful possession. Hellums and his blockers have shown they can keep a drive going. They need to do it when another first down can keep the opponent from getting the ball back.
Daryl Dixon, who replaced Nate Woody as defensive coordinator, and co-defensive coordinator Scot Sloan face a larger rebuilding task after Army lost eight primary defensive starters. Against South Florida, Army recorded no sack and surrendered 156 yards on the final two touchdown drives. Dixon and Sloan need pressure that reaches the quarterback before a receiver breaks free, with coverage that gives the rush time to arrive.
The defensive line also bears watching when Army returns. Cael Newton made his first career start in place of Jack Bousum against South Florida, although Bousum also played. Army’s account did not explain the change. Whether Newton keeps that assignment and how the two divide the work remain worth following before treating either player’s role as settled.
Fan Watch gives Army an 11% chance to reach the conference championship game; the interactive guide and methodology have the broader forecast. The American sends its top two teams to that game after an eight-game league schedule. South Florida cost Army one of only four home conference opportunities. The long touchdown drives made that opportunity look winnable; the final possessions showed how much Army still has to finish.