Army accepts bid to Independence Bowl

Updated Oct. 24, 2020 6:43 p.m. ET

Associated Press

Army has accepted a bid to play in the Independence Bowl, becoming the first team in the country to gain a spot in the postseason.

West Point announced the bid after the Black Knights beat Mercer on Saturday to improve to 6-1.

Army is slated to face a Pac-12 Conference foe in the Shreveport, Louisiana bowl game. The Black Knights are 3-0 in three previous bowl appearances under seventh-year head coach Jeff Monken.

“We deeply appreciate the role they play in our national landscape and will roll out the red carpet for them for their trip to Shreveport,” Independence Bowl Chairman Frank Auer said in a statement.

The Pac-12 begins its truncated season on Nov. 7. The date of the Independence Bowl will be announced later.

Army has made one previous Independence Bowl appearance, a 32-29 loss to the Auburn Tigers in 1996. The Black Knights are off to their best start since they began that season with nine straight wins.

This year is the first of three primary tie-ins between Army and the Independence Bowl over the next six years. The agreement also has primary tie-ins for 2022 and 2024.

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