Army vs. Oklahoma football game canceled for this fall

Army and Oklahoma will not meet on the football field in 2020.

The West Point athletic department announced Tuesday morning that the game had been canceled for this fall, following the Big 12’s decision Monday night to not allow its teams to play non-conference games on the road. The game was originally scheduled for Sept. 26 at Michie Stadium.

Army Director of Athletics Mike Buddie said that the Black Knights and Sooners are already working on trying to find a future date for the game.

“We are disappointed to lose Oklahoma from our schedule this season, however we respect the Big 12’s difficult decision,” Buddie said in a statement. “I am saddened for our players, coaches, alumni and fans to miss out on what has been such a highly anticipated contest since it was first announced.”

Army played at Oklahoma in 2018 and this 2020 meeting was the return game for the Black Knights in that scheduling agreement. Jeff Monken’s side took the then-ranked No. 5 Sooners to overtime in Norman before falling 28-21. It was the lowest scoring total of the year for the Sooners.

The cancellation of the Oklahoma game means that Army now has three open dates on its schedule, all of which were previously home games. Games vs. Bucknell and Princeton were also canceled after the Patriot and Ivy leagues opted not to play football this fall because of concerns from the coronavirus pandemic.

Buddie said that Army remains “steadfast” in its commitment to play football this fall. He and Navy Athletic Director Chet Gladchuk have both been firm about their desire to play the Army-Navy game this year.

“Competing in athletics is tightly woven into the fabric of the Academy’s mission. It supports the 47-month cadet experience necessary to prepare our cadet-athletes for officership in the United States Army,” Buddie said. “Unlike at other institutions, our cadets cannot retain extra years of eligibility. I will do everything within my power to ensure they get the opportunity to play.”

Each of the Power 5 conferences have made decisions about how they will proceed with football this fall, but the MAC and the American have yet to state firm guidelines or restrictions on scheduling. Army has three games scheduled against teams from the MAC this year in Miami (OH), Buffalo and Eastern Michigan.

A decision from the MAC could reduce Army’s schedule even further for 2020.