DALLAS (Army News Service) -- The Army's West Point football team defeated North Texas 38-31 in overtime Tuesday to win the Zaxby's Heart of Dallas Bowl.
The victory marked Army's first bowl win since 2010 and the first time the Black Knights reached eight wins since the 1996 season. Army closed out the year with three straight victories, including an iconic win a little more than two weeks ago in Baltimore over rival Navy.
Tuesday's game in the Cotton Bowl stadium was much different from the team's earlier meeting with North Texas back on Oct. 22 in which the Black Knights turned the ball over a season-high seven times.
Army controlled much of the opening two periods Tuesday, but a late rally from North Texas pulled the "Mean Green" to within 24-21 at halftime.
A 65-yard run to the goal line by quarterback Ahmad Bradshaw put the Black Knights ahead 31-21, but North Texas soon answered with their own TD.
Heading into the final quarter, Army maintained a slim 31-28 edge, until with 28 seconds remaining, North Texas kicked a tying field goal from 37 yards out to send the game into overtime.
Army started with the ball first in the extra period and worked it all the way to the North Texas 3-yard line. With 4th-and-goal looming, head coach Jeff Monken opted to "go big or go home" and sent his offensive unit back out on the field.
On the ensuing play, Jordan Asberry broke free and finished off what would be the game's final score to hand the Black Knights a 38-31 advantage.
North Texas gained four yards on its first play of overtime but never went past the line of scrimmage again. Jeremy Timpf tackled Jeffery Wilson for a 3-yard loss on the next play before two failed passes sealed Army's win.
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