WEST POINT, N.Y. (Interstat) — In a defensive struggle defined by clock management and trench warfare, the Army Black Knights grinded out a 14-13 victory over the Temple Owls on a crisp Saturday afternoon at Michie Stadium.

The game, played on Nov. 8, 2025, was a stark departure from pregame projections. Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Army 34, Temple 23, and its ELO system gave the Black Knights a 92.00 percent probability to win. Despite being installed as a 6.5-point underdog, Temple nearly pulled off the upset, but ultimately fell short as Army’s relentless ground game chewed up the final 11 minutes and 16 seconds of the fourth quarter to secure the win. The total score of 27 points fell well under the over/under line of 45.5.

The first quarter was a scoreless affair dominated by punts and stalled drives. Temple’s opening possession was a methodical 12-play march that ate over five minutes off the clock, but it stalled in Army territory, and Carl Hardin’s 45-yard field goal attempt was no good.

Army’s offense, true to its identity, responded with a punishing, run-heavy drive of its own. The Black Knights’ triple-option attack, orchestrated by quarterback Cale Hellums of Tomball, Texas, began to find its rhythm as the game moved into the second quarter. The drive culminated in a 7-yard touchdown run by fullback Jake Rendina of Kalispell, Montana, capping a 16-play, 64-yard drive that gave Army a 7-0 lead with 11:19 remaining in the first half.

Temple answered immediately. Quarterback Evan Simon of Mount Joy, Pennsylvania, engineered a sharp, 11-play, 75-yard scoring drive. Simon was efficient through the air and on the ground, mixing runs by Jay Ducker and Keveun Mason to move the Owls down the field. The drive was capped when Simon found his favorite target, Colin Chase of Orange County, California, on a 2-yard touchdown pass. Hardin’s extra point tied the game at 7-7 with 4:03 left in the half.

After forcing an Army punt, Temple got the ball back with just 26 seconds remaining in the half. Simon executed the two-minute drill to perfection, completing four consecutive passes to move the Owls from their own 25-yard line to the Army 6. The key play was a 17-yard strike to tight end Peter Clarke of London, United Kingdom, who got out of bounds at the Army 31. With one second left on the clock, Hardin connected on a 24-yard field goal to send Temple into the locker room with a 10-7 lead.

Army received the second-half kickoff and immediately reasserted its physical dominance. The Black Knights embarked on a marathon 15-play, 75-yard touchdown drive that consumed 8 minutes and 27 seconds of the third quarter. Hellums was the engine, carrying the ball nine times on the drive before finally plunging in from 3 yards out for the score. The touchdown, and Dawson Jones’s extra point, put Army back in front, 14-10.

Temple responded with another impressive drive of its own. Simon again led the Owls on a sustained march, this one covering 13 plays and 68 yards. The drive was kept alive by a critical 34-yard completion from Simon to Clarke. However, the Owls’ offense stalled inside the Army 15-yard line, and they had to settle for a 31-yard Hardin field goal, cutting the deficit to 14-13 with 0:22 left in the third quarter.

What followed was a masterclass in ball control from Army. Taking over with the narrow lead, the Black Knights’ offense began a final, game-sealing drive with 1:47 remaining in the third quarter. They would not relinquish possession until the final seconds ticked off the clock in the fourth quarter.

The drive was a testament to Army’s philosophy: 21 consecutive running plays that systematically drained the clock and Temple’s timeouts. Hellums, Rendina, Carson Smith, and Noah Short took turns carrying the load behind an offensive line that consistently won at the point of attack. The drive reached the Temple 1-yard line before Hellums took two kneel-downs to end the game, denying Temple any chance for a final, desperate play.

Statistically, the game was a tale of two contrasting offenses. Army’s Cale Hellums was the workhorse, carrying the ball 36 times for 118 yards and a touchdown. He also completed his only meaningful pass, a 26-yarder to Parker Poloskey. Jake Rendina added 42 yards and a score on nine carries.

For Temple, Evan Simon completed 15 of 25 passes for 157 yards and a touchdown while adding 18 yards on five rushes. Jay Ducker was the primary weapon out of the backfield, rushing for 46 yards on eight attempts and catching three passes for 18 yards. Colin Chase was Simon’s top receiver, hauling in six catches for 36 yards and the Owls’ lone touchdown.

Defensively, the game was defined by tackle totals. Temple’s Curly Ordonez of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was everywhere, recording a game-high 10 tackles. Javier Morton and Khalil Poteat each added nine stops for the Owls. Army’s defense was led by linebacker Andon Thomas of Liberty Hill, Texas, who had eight tackles, while the defensive front, featuring players like Kalib Fortner and Gavin Shields, consistently pressured Simon, recording multiple quarterback hurries.

With the loss, Temple’s record evens at 5-5. The Owls will next host Tulane on Saturday, Nov. 22. Army improves to 5-4 and will host Tulsa in its next contest, also on Nov. 22.