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Army wins Heart of Dallas Bowl in OT for first 8-win season since 1996

Army's Tyler Campbell had a 70-yard touchdown run. (Getty)
Army’s Tyler Campbell had a 70-yard touchdown run. (Getty)

Army converted a fourth-and-goal for a touchdown in overtime and held North Texas on its OT possession to win Tuesday’s Heart of Dallas Bowl 38-31.

After getting stuffed on third down near the goal line to start overtime, Army had to decide to take the lead with a short field goal or go for the TD. The contemplation had to be brief, as Army couldn’t call timeout after using its one OT timeout previously.

Coach Jeff Monken kept the offense on the field and the call was a toss to the right for running back Jordan Asberry, who cut inside for the touchdown.

North Texas had a chance to tie (or go for the win with a two-point conversion), but it didn’t go so well. After losing yardage on second down, North Texas threw incomplete passes on third and fourth downs.

The win gives Army (8-5) its first eight-win season since 1996, when the team went 10-2 under coach Bob Sutton, now the defensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs. It’s also the first bowl win for the school since 2010, the last time Army went to a bowl game. The Black Knights beat SMU 16-14 in the 2010 Armed Forces Bowl.

It’s also just the second time Army has been over .500 since that 10-2 season.

Army quarterback Ahmad Bradshaw had 18 carries for 129 yards as Army had 480 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns. The game was in overtime because Army went for two three times after missing the extra point on its first touchdown. None of the attempts were successful.

The game was a rematch from October, when North Texas (5-8) won 35-18. Army had seven turnovers in that game. Tuesday, the Black Knights had one and it came on a fumbled punt.

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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!