Photo by: Caleb Saunders
Army Now West Virginia’s Opponent in 2020 AutoZone Liberty Bowl
December 21, 2020 09:19 PM | Football
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia has a new opponent in the 2020 AutoZone Liberty Bowl.
Army has been tabbed to replace Tennessee, which bowed out earlier today because of COVID-19 issues within the Volunteers program.
"The opponent might have changed, but that's it," West Virginia University director of athletics Shane Lyons said. "As I said before, the Mountaineers are looking forward to playing in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl and coming to Memphis. Our team deserves to be in a bowl and so does the 9-2 Army squad.
"While we are disappointed that Tennessee couldn't be in the game, Army needed a bowl and an opponent, and the Mountaineers are glad to solve the problem."
Army was snubbed during this year's bowl selection process despite an outstanding 9-2 record playing an Independent schedule.
Among Army wins this year were a 15-0 triumph against rival Navy and a 10-7 victory over Air Force.
The Black Knights' two losses this year were against Cincinnati, 24-10, and Tulane, 38-12. Army was supposed to have played in the Independence Bowl but this year's game was canceled when multiple teams opted out of postseason play.
Army is coached by Jeff Monken.
"I have great respect for the Army football tradition and the sacrifice the Cadets make daily for our country," West Virginia coach Neal Brown said. "Coach Monken and his staff have done a terrific job at West Point with 43 wins in the last five years.
"We started the day preparing for one opponent and will end it preparing for another, but that's how crazy 2020 has been," he added.
These two teams have met just three times, the last occurring in 1961 when WVU won 7-3 at Michie Stadium. The other two games played in 1941 and 1946 were also played at Michie and were won by Army.
Army has been tabbed to replace Tennessee, which bowed out earlier today because of COVID-19 issues within the Volunteers program.
"The opponent might have changed, but that's it," West Virginia University director of athletics Shane Lyons said. "As I said before, the Mountaineers are looking forward to playing in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl and coming to Memphis. Our team deserves to be in a bowl and so does the 9-2 Army squad."While we are disappointed that Tennessee couldn't be in the game, Army needed a bowl and an opponent, and the Mountaineers are glad to solve the problem."
Army was snubbed during this year's bowl selection process despite an outstanding 9-2 record playing an Independent schedule.
Among Army wins this year were a 15-0 triumph against rival Navy and a 10-7 victory over Air Force.
The Black Knights' two losses this year were against Cincinnati, 24-10, and Tulane, 38-12. Army was supposed to have played in the Independence Bowl but this year's game was canceled when multiple teams opted out of postseason play.
Army is coached by Jeff Monken.
"I have great respect for the Army football tradition and the sacrifice the Cadets make daily for our country," West Virginia coach Neal Brown said. "Coach Monken and his staff have done a terrific job at West Point with 43 wins in the last five years.
"We started the day preparing for one opponent and will end it preparing for another, but that's how crazy 2020 has been," he added.
These two teams have met just three times, the last occurring in 1961 when WVU won 7-3 at Michie Stadium. The other two games played in 1941 and 1946 were also played at Michie and were won by Army.
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