Army junior quarterback Clay Bibb tossed two touchdowns to classmate tight end Steve Duperre, and ran for 68 yards as Army upended St. Peter’s, 27-12, Sunday afternoon at Shea Stadium. Bibb completed 6-of-7 passes for 58 yards.

St Peter’s opened the scoring early when quarterback Steve Lyons connected with wide receiver Tony Gravinese for a 30-yard touchdown strike, capping a six-play, 35-yard drive. Lyons started the contest by completing five of his first nine passes, but struggled the remainder of the afternoon making just four more completions in 16 tries.

The Army defense, led by senior captain Kwame Boateng, swooped around the heavyweight offensive line of the Peacocks all day long. The Black Knights consistently pressured Lyons and backup quarterback Zeb Nichols, as the defense combined for two sacks, one interception and a fumble recovery. Army limited St. Peter’s to just 53 yards on the ground and five first downs.

The Peacocks, limited by their own mistakes, were called for 10 penalties, costing them 60 yards.

Holding onto a 13-12 lead late in the third quarter, Army sophomore Kurt Cheesman booted a 43-yard punt that was downed at the St. Peter’s 15-yard line. Deep in his own territory, Lyons dropped back to pass but was immediately capsized by sophomore defensive end Kiel King who knocked the ball loose. Sophomore defensive lineman Michael Stallings jumped on the ball and gave the offense prime field position at the 5-yard line.

It took the Black Knights four plays, but senior running back John Rhodes was eventually able to punch the ball into the end zone on a fourth-and-one from the goal line, giving Army a 20-12 lead. The Black Knights would later put the game out of reach when Bibb threw his second touchdown pass of the day to Duperre from five yards out.

The Black Knights’ final scoring drive was kept alive when wide receiver senior Macharia Brown made a brilliant leaping catch over the defender and hauled the ball in for a 24-yard gain. The third-and-long reception gave Army the momentum they needed as they scooped up the final 23 yards of the drive in just four plays.

St. Peter’s moved the ball well through the first quarter, but its offense could not get back on Army’s side of the field until very late in the third quarter. The Peacocks’ only trip into Army territory came at the expense of Cheesman who couldn’t handle the high snap that landed behind him at the Black Knights’ 19-yard line.

The Peacocks’ offense quickly made the Black Knights pay for that miscue when Lyons connected with wide receiver Brandon Edmonds for six points. Lyons went back to Edmonds for a two-point conversion attempt, but the 6’ 3" receiver could not bring it in, and the Black Knights clung to their 13-12 lead.

St. Peter’s would get as close as the Army 39-yard line late in the fourth quarter, but the Army defense refused to break as the Peacocks’ offense went four-and-out on its final drive.

Senior running back Aaron Scheinberg received most of the carries, taking the ball 56 yards in 19 tries. Rhodes rushed for just six yards, but caught two passes out of the backfield for a gain of 18. Freshman quarterback Patrick Hall saw some playing time as well, completing his only pass for three yards. 

Hall also rushed the ball five times for 17 yards.

Army’s next game is versus Navy at the Pride Bowl in Newark, N.J. Tickets for the Oct. 6 contest can be purchased in advance by calling the Newark Bears box office at (973) 483-6900, or any TicketMaster outlet.

The Black Knights’ seating section is No. 115. Army fans should reference this section by number when ordering tickets. The game will take place at Newark’s Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium.