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Army releases a statement after going 9-2 and unable to play in a bowl game
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Holding off the Air Force Falcons, 10-7, on December 19, the Army Black Knights concluded their regular season at an impressive 9-2.
It looked as if Army’s postseason plans had been finalized since October 24, when they accepted a bid to play in the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl, as the program is in the first year of a contract that affords them a game against a Pacific-12 Conference program in alternate years.
Due to the number of Pac-12 teams opting-out of bowl games, the Independence Bowl Foundation, for the first time since the contest’s inception in 1976, canceled the game on Sunday, leaving the Black Knights without the opportunity to reach 10 wins.
Released on the program’s official Twitter account, Director of Athletics Mike Buddie issued a statement on Sunday evening, saying they will continue to pursue available opportunities to play another game.
We’re going to continue to fight for an opportunity.#GoARMY pic.twitter.com/I4ujmN7Auj
— Army Football (@ArmyWP_Football) December 21, 2020
“These young men haven’t quit all year and we surely won’t quit now. They deserve better, period,” Buddie said.
“They have earned an opportunity to get 10 wins and, as we have all year, we will continue to fight to get them that opportunity.
“We want to thank all the constituents at the Independence Bowl for their invitation and hospitality as we were looking forward to our trip to the city of Shreveport.”
12 of the Southeastern Conference’s 14 programs are slated to play in bowl games, including five with below .500 records.
Some, such as InsideTheGators’ Mark Wheeler, have suggested the conference give up one of their slots to Army.
The @SEC should ask one of the five SEC teams going Bowling with a losing record to step aside and allow 9-2 Army to go in their place. https://t.co/RenggpetTR
— Inside the Gators (@InsideTheGators) December 21, 2020
A graduate of Bowling Green State University, Teddy Rydquist has been contributing to Saturday Down South and Saturday Tradition since 2019. In addition to his work here, he has covered the Michigan Wolverines for GBMWolverine and Wolverine Digest. He can be found on Twitter @TeddyRydquist.
