WEST POINT, N.Y. — Mission Accepted, Mission Accomplished.
 
Tarleton State Football earned one of its best victories in program history, beating the defending American champions, Army, in West Point on Friday night in double overtime.
 
The Texans (2-0) won 30-27 on a Brad Larson 37-yard field goal make in double overtime to upset the Black Knights (0-1) at Michie Stadium in front of 23,032 fans. This was Tarleton State's first road victory against an FBS program in its fourth try, and second win against an FBS program in five total matchups, having also defeated New Mexico State in El Paso in 2021.
 
"Our guys played their hearts out," head coach Todd Whitten said. "I don't have the words to tell you how proud I am of these guys. They are just outstanding. Our coaches had a great game plan. It's a great win for our program. We have not played very well against teams (in FBS) the last few years and (Army) has a good team. They were 12-2 a year ago. This is an outstanding day for our football program, our university and everyone involved."
 
Tarleton State showed how tough it is against one of the toughest programs in the nation, Army. The Texans fell behind by 14 midway through the third quarter and stayed the course, using three Kasyus Kurns takeaways, touchdowns by Caleb Lewis and Dawson Hearne, and two field goal makes by Larson in extra periods.
 
The Texans showed early they were going to be in this game throughout, forcing a three-and-out on Army's first drive and taking a quick 3-0 lead on a Larson 30-yard field goal. Army responded with a 26-yard touchdown run by Dewayne Coleman, and the first quarter ended with the Black Knights ahead 7-3.
 
In the second quarter, running back Tre Page III kept his fast start to the season going with a 10-yard touchdown rush to boost the Texans ahead 10-7. Army scored 10 unanswered points over the final two minutes of the half to lead 17-10 at the break.
 
The Black Knights then made it 17 unanswered points with a Hayden Reed 37-yard run to make it 24-10 Army midway through the third. The Texans refused to go down, however, with Lewis punching it in from six yards out just a few minutes later. The third quarter ended with Army ahead 24-17.
 
The Texan defense blanked the Black Knights in the fourth quarter, and quarterback Victor Gabalis found a wide open Hearne on third down from 15 yards out to tie the game 24-24. In the final minutes of regulation, Tarleton State attempted a game-winning drive, but had to punt to Army. The Black Knights made it to the Tarleton State 26-yard line with 11 seconds left, but kicker Dawson Jones missed the potential game-winning 43-yard field goal, sending the game to overtime.
 
In overtime, Tarleton State got the ball first and made a quick splash, getting a first down before stalling and setting up Larson with a 28-yard field goal attempt, which was pure. Army then got possession and went nowhere, but Jones redeemed himself with a 40-yard make to send the game into double overtime.
 
In double overtime, the Tarleton State defense once again shut Army down, and forced a 35-yard Jones field goal attempt, which was no good. After three plays and no first down, the Texans put their faith once again in Larson, who split the uprights on the game-winner from 37-yards out.
 
Army won most of the categories on Friday night except for the most important one, the score. The Black Knights won the time of possession 36:34 to 23:26, outgained the Texans 411-344 and had 24 first downs to Tarleton State's 16. Tarleton State had zero turnovers in the game, while forcing three takeaways. Tarleton State was also 6-for-6 on red zone opportunities, while Army was 2-of-4.
 
Kurns was instrumental in the win, recording two interceptions and a fumble recovery in the second half, with Stephen Woods Jr. forcing the fumble.
 
Lewis finished with 107 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries (5.4 YPC). Page had 89 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries (6.4 YPC). Gabalis completed 16-of-30 for 152 yards and a touchdown and improved to 19-6 (.760) as Tarleton State's starting quarterback. Cody Jackson led the receiving crew with 53 yards on six receptions, and Hearne had a touchdown with 47 yards and three catches.
 
AJ Owens led the Texan defense with 12 total tackles (six solo). Jadan Aubert had numerous big hits, earning nine tackles (seven solo). Omar Emmons had eight tackles and a pass breakup. Brandon Tolvert had two tackles for loss as part of seven total tackles, while Woods added six tackles and 1.5 TFL, and Kurns four tackles to go with their takeaways.
 
Tarleton State will now return home for its home opener on Sept. 6. The Texans will take on Mississippi Valley State at Memorial Stadium at 6 p.m. It will be a Purple Out and the New Student Run in Stephenville, as fans are encouraged to don Tarleton State's signature color and new students are encouraged to participate in the pregame run on the field before kickoff.