As 23.5-point underdogs, Rice wasn’t expected to compete with an Army team coming off an 11-2 record in 2018.
But Rice’s relentless run defense forced Army to earn a tough-fought victory in the trenches, and the Black Knights were forced to turn to the passing game in order to secure the game-winning touchdown. Senior quarterback Kelvin Hopkins Jr. deviated from the triple option and found a wide open Kell Walker in the end zone with 3:58 remaining in the contest to put the finishing touches on a 14-7 victory.
Army head coach Jeff Monken opened the season with the boldest of calls.