STWF Sports| WEST POINT, N.Y.| October 10, 2026 — Tulane saw a back-and-forth American Conference opener slip away in the final seconds Saturday, falling 20-17 to Army on a 25-yard field goal as time expired at Michie Stadium.
The loss dropped the Green Wave to 2-3 overall and 0-1 in American Conference play, while Army improved to 3-2 overall and 2-1 in league action.
With the game tied at 17 late in the fourth quarter, Tulane failed to convert on fourth down, giving Army one final opportunity. The Black Knights responded with a methodical 12-play, 59-yard drive that ended with Dawson Jones’ 25-yard field goal at the horn.
It was Tulane’s first one-score loss in its last 10 such games, snapping a nine-game winning streak in contests decided by eight points or fewer.
Army Controls Early Tempo
The Black Knights struck first after a Tulane turnover on the Green Wave’s opening possession.
Army capitalized with a 12-play, 74-yard drive, capped by a 1-yard touchdown run from Cale Hellums with 1:42 remaining in the first quarter.
Tulane answered in the second period when Cooper Helmke converted a 21-yard field goal, trimming the deficit to 7-3.
The Green Wave defense and special teams then created a turning point.
Kellen Tasby blocked an Army field goal, giving Tulane an opportunity to take control. The Green Wave followed with a 12-play, 68-yard drive, finished by Kadin Semonza’s 1-yard touchdown run with 3:18 remaining in the third quarter.
The score gave Tulane its first lead of the afternoon, 10-7.
Fourth Quarter Turns Into a Shootout
Army answered with a long possession of its own, using 14 plays and nearly nine minutes of clock before Jones converted a 31-yard field goal to tie the game at 10 with 9:21 remaining.
Tulane responded immediately.
After TJ Smith ripped off a 58-yard kickoff return, Semonza connected with Jaylin Lucas for a 39-yard touchdown, pushing the Green Wave back ahead 17-10 with 7:44 remaining.
But the lead lasted less than a minute.
Hellums broke free for a 58-yard touchdown run on Army’s next possession, tying the game again at 17 with 6:54 left.
Tulane had another chance late, but the failed fourth-down attempt opened the door for Army’s game-winning drive.
Ground Game Tilts Toward Army
Army finished with 348 total yards, including a dominant 329 rushing yards, compared with Tulane’s 280 total yards and 122 on the ground.
The Black Knights also controlled possession for 35:34 and held a 20-17 advantage in first downs.
Semonza completed 14 of 26 passes for 158 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
Johnnie Daniels led Tulane’s rushing attack with 67 yards on eight carries, while DJ Dugar added 31 yards on six attempts.
Destyn Hill caught five passes for 54 yards, while Lucas finished with two receptions for 37 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, Dickson Agu led Tulane with 12 tackles. Jack Tchienchou and Makai Williams each recorded eight stops, while Dalton Hughes added seven.
Tulane’s special teams also produced several strong moments. Helmke made his only field-goal attempt, Smith totaled 82 kickoff return yards, and William Hudlow averaged 44 yards on three punts, placing two inside the 20.
The loss dropped Tulane to 14-11-1 all-time against Army and marked its second straight defeat in West Point.
Tulane will now return home looking to rebound quickly when it hosts Memphis on Friday, Oct. 16, at 6:30 p.m. at Yulman Stadium.
