Army became the first team this season to land a bowl game, accepting an invitation from The Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl in Shreveport, La., shortly after Saturday’s 49-3 win over Mercer.
The Black Knights (6-1) will be playing in a bowl for the fourth time in the past five seasons. Army will face a team from the Pac-12.
“We are absolutely delighted to extend a bowl invitation to the Army West Point Black Knights football team,” bowl chairman Frank Auer said in a news release. “The Independence Bowl celebrates the independence and freedoms we enjoy in America, and we are well aware that those freedoms are protected by our Army and the other armed forces.
“We deeply appreciate the role they play in our national landscape and will roll out the red carpet for them for their trip to Shreveport.”
Army athletic director Mike Buddie said the school was “very excited” to accept the invite. He said it was an “incredible opportunity to play in this outstanding bowl game” and cited it will be the program’s first trip to Shreveport since 1996.
The Black Knights, who are not part of a conference, are off to their best start since the 1996 squad won their first nine games. That team finished 10-2 after losing 32-29 to Auburn in the Independence Bowl.
Following that season, Army experienced 13 straight losing seasons. Now the Black Knights are 40-19 since the start of the 2016 season after coach Jeff Monken turned around the program’s fortunes.
The victory over Mercer marked the fourth time this season that Army scored at least 37 points. The Black Knights’ lone loss came against then-No. 14 Cincinnati, 24-10 on Sept. 26.
The date for the Independence Bowl will be announced at a later time.
