One of the harmful positions to be in as a school soccer workforce? Dealing with a Jeff Monken-led Military workforce in a bowl recreation. The Black Knights have thrived within the postseason below the Twelfth-year head coach, and that remained the case Saturday afternoon at Fenway Park in Boston.
Former unbiased and present American Convention member Military dominated present unbiased and former American Convention member UConn, 41-16, as Monken improved to 6-1 in bowl video games throughout his highly-successful tenure in West Level.
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Military grew to become the primary workforce to upend UConn in regulation this 12 months, leaving Indiana as the one program to complete undefeated by way of 4 quarters within the 2025 calendar 12 months. UConn drew first blood roughly six minutes into the competition, however Military’s choice assault took over afterward, blasting by way of the Huskies with 368 speeding yards and 5 speeding touchdowns.
It was as on-brand of an Military soccer exhibiting as you possibly can draw up. The disciplined Black Knights kept away from committing a single penalty, regularly moved the sticks in each crucial state of affairs (8-of-12 on third down, 2-of-3 on fourth down), and hogged over 36 minutes of clock within the 25-point domination.
However the sudden a part of the Fenway Bowl concerned the participant basking within the glory. True freshman fourth-string quarterback Godspower Nwawuihe, who transitioned to operating again in November, entered the historic ballpark with a résumé of 9 carries for 25 yards. Towards UConn, Nwawuihe grew to become the star of the present. The freshman powered his approach to 171 yards on 12 makes an attempt, securing Offensive MVP honors because of 43-yard and 70-yard scampers to the tip zone.
Jake Rendina added 87 yards whereas Carson Smith and beginning quarterback Cale Hellums mixed for 94 and two touchdowns as UConn’s protection had zero reply for the choice offense. The Black Knights turned it over on downs on their opening sequence and fumbled on their third drive however managed touchdowns on every of their ultimate 5 alternatives to assert a third-straight bowl win.
UConn entered the competition down beginning quarterback Joe Fagnano, and the offense struggled with out the passer who generated 3,448 yards, 28 touchdowns, and only one interception within the common season. Ksaan Farrar obtained the beginning for the Huskies, however the freshman solely produced 84 yards on an 11-of-17 exhibiting. UConn additionally lacked All-American vast receiver Skyler Bell. The FBS’s second-leading receiver suited up on the opening drive to earn the beginning, however that was the one stat he recorded — seen on the sidelines in avenue garments as early as the primary quarter. With out Fagnano and Bell, operating again Cam Edwards carried the majority of the offense with 108 yards and a landing within the Huskies’ first multi-score defeat in 25 video games.
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UConn (9-4, Unbiased) finishes with 9 wins for the second-straight 12 months. 9 victories stays a program file for the Huskies since they joined the FBS in 2000, and that feat was attained in 2003, 2007, 2024, and now 2025. Now that head coach Jim Mora Jr. has moved onto Colorado State, UConn begins anew in 2026 with longtime Toledo head coach Jason Candle who secured bowl eligibility in all 10 seasons at his former dwelling.
Military (7-6, 4-4 American) now has gained seven of its final eight bowl video games after profitable solely two bowls previous to 2010. The Black Knights have completed .500 or higher in six-straight seasons below Monken, overcoming a sluggish begin in 2025 to leap into plus territory. Military claimed its first-ever Fenway Bowl win over the sport’s defending champion, bringing again coveted {hardware} to West Level to wrap up its second season within the American.
