Army continues to roll in its introduction to American Athletic Conference football.

The Black Knights were perfect with touchdowns on four first-half drives, thanks to the five-touchdown effort from senior quarterback Bryson Daily - he threw for a pair and rushed for three more, tying a career high. Toss in a couple more interceptions and a blocked field goal and Army was never challenged in a 37-14 win over Rice on a glorious Saturday afternoon at Michie Stadium.

Army is off to its first 3-0 start since 2021, its win streak stretching to seven games since October 2023. The Black Knights have a short week, traveling to Philadelphia on Thursday for a primetime game with Temple. Rice is struggling with an 0-4 start.

"It sure makes it easier on everybody,'' Army coach Jeff Monken said of the 3-0 start.

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Daily rushed for 145 yards, marking the first time in his career that he's rushed for at least 100 yards in consecutive games. His three rushing scores is also a career first. He has 1,404 rushing yards and 14 rushing scores in his career, mostly over the past two seasons.

"If you need me to run 20 times, or 10 times ... whatever we need to do to get a win,'' Daily said. "Some days the defense is giving you certain looks to certain players. Today that happened to be the quarterback run that we were running quite a bit. That was the most effective play to get in the end zone.''

Army's offense amassed 408 yards and 21 first downs. The Black Knights ran the ball 56 times for 288 yards, eating up 39-plus minutes on the game clock. Army - which entered the game as the top rushing team in the nation - is averaging 356 rushing yards per game.

"I'm certain when teams are defending us, they see we're a ball-control offense and we're going to try to just methodically move the ball down the field,'' Monken said. "We don't get impatient. ... If we could get a lead then I think that, one, gives us some confidence and, two, I think it puts some pressure on the other team to feel like they've got to score because of the limited possessions.''

Army applied the pressure with two touchdowns in the opening 16 minutes. Daily found Noah Short racing down the middle, the receiver making a spectacular fingertip grab for a 41-yard score three minutes into the game. Following a five-and-out by Rice, Army grinded out 90 yards on 17 plays, capped by a Daily sneak from 2 yards on the second play of the second quarter.

Rice had an opportunity to slow momentum but Army's Elo Modozie blocked a 37-yard field goal attempt and Casey Larkin returned it 25 yards. Staked close to midfield, Daily engineered a nine-play, 57-yard drive, capped by Daily vaulting over the line from 2 yards out for a 21-0 advantage.

Rice quarterback E.J. Warner - the son of Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner, who was in attendance - struggled in the first half. On the Owls' next snap, he turned receiver Matt Sykes the wrong way; the ball bounced off his hands and Army's Andon Thomas secured the bobbling ball, dragging his right toe on the sideline's edge for the interception.

Again, Army capitalized as Daily found Casey Reynolds on a 17-yard score 28 seconds before halftime for a 28-0 lead.

Rice gave up a safety when the long snap sailed through the hands of punter Alex Bacchetta and through the back of the end zone not even two minutes into the third quarter.

Following a string of successful fake plays this season, Army punter James Wagenseller completed a pass to Hayden Reed, though the play was blown up by the Owls for no gain.

Needing at least four scores, Rice played more up-tempo and Warner found his groove. He completed five passes, the last a 16-yard scoring play to Sykes for the Owls' first score.

Not to be outdone, Daily directed a nine-play, 75-yard drive, culminating with his 1-yard plunge off the right side for a 37-7 lead two seconds before the final quarter.

Army junior quarterback Dewayne Coleman directed the final three series as the Black Knights turned to many backups. His drives went for 26, 3 and 9 yards, eating up nearly nine minutes with possession.

Notes: With numerous defenders in action, Adam Cash led Army with five tackles and Max DiDomenico (who played with a protective club on his injured right hand), Larkin and Thomas each had four. Baylor Newsom had a late interception with DiDomenico, Jabril Williams and Jaxon Hammond posting pass breakups.

kmcmilllan@th-record.com

X / Twitter: @KenMcMillanTHR

This article originally appeared on Times Herald-Record: Army football beats Rice at home