Tarleton 30, Army 27 (2OT): Texans march into West Point and leave with history

College football wasted no time serving up its first true slice of chaos. Brad Larson’s 37-yard field goal in double overtime lifted Tarleton State to a 30–27 win over Army, giving the Texans their second-ever victory over an FBS opponent and snapping the Black Knights’ nine-game home win streak.

Army, fresh off an AAC title last year, controlled the ground with 280 rushing yards but couldn’t escape mistakes. QB Dewayne Coleman left late with an injury, freshman kicker Dawson Jones missed two crucial field goals, and the visitors from Stephenville, Texas made every break matter.

The Game

• First half: Army led 17–10 at the break, flexing its triple-option identity and controlling the line.
• Second half: Tarleton matched every punch, knotting the game at 24 to force overtime.
• OT1: Both sides split field goals.
• OT2: Army blinked again. Jones missed from 35. Larson drilled his 37. Texans win.

Tarleton’s Heroes

• Victor Gabalis (QB): 16-of-30 for 151 yards and a TD.
• Caleb Lewis (RB): 20 carries, 107 yards, 1 score.
• Tre Page III (RB): 89 more yards and a touchdown.
• Brad Larson (K): Coolest head in the building, perfect when it counted.

Army’s Misfire

• Dewayne Coleman: 129 yards passing, 2 INTs, 100 rushing yards and a score before leaving late.
• Hayden Reed: 88 yards on the ground.
• Team total: 66 carries, 280 yards, service-academy script to perfection — but execution failed in the clutch.

The Internet’s Verdict

Threads turned into a comedy clinic. Highlights:

• “Army’s worst loss since Afghanistan.”
• “A rodeo school beat Army.”
• “Tarleton is the Vietnam of the FCS.”
• “155 billion dollar defense can’t stop the run.”
• “Tarleton was still Division II in 2019 and just knocked off the AAC champs in double OT. Give them their flowers.”
• “US Army’s funding: $185.9 billion. Tarleton State’s: $45 million. Lol.”
• “Maybe instead of plastering ‘Beat Navy’ everywhere, start with ‘Beat Tarleton State.’”

Even Navy fans popped champagne: “Go Tarleton, Beat Army.”

What It Means

For Tarleton: From Division II five years ago to upsetting Army at Michie. The program is surging with resources, facilities, and ambition. Nights like this accelerate the push to FBS.

For Army: Brutal reality check. Kicking woes, offensive line issues, and missed assignments spoiled a 280-yard ground day. With Kansas State next, things could snowball quickly if fixes don’t land.

UNC’s Final Word

College football doesn’t wait for November to get weird. Tarleton State, of all schools, just stormed West Point in double OT. A Texas ag school with purple pride and a kicker with ice in his veins out-executed the United States Military Academy.

Texans 30, Army 27. Chaos is officially back.