Army senior Connor Finucane making the most of a fifth season on the offensive line

As Army closed out a thrilling 17-11 football victory over Navy last December, senior Connor Finucane realized his college football days were over.

“I thought the safety that (quarterback) Bryson (Daily) took to ice the game against Navy was the last football game I ever played,” he said. “It’s like a completely different life change.”

Not so fast.

Finucane was preparing documents for his appointment as an officer when it was decided that he would have to take sick leave from January to May, away from the Academy – this meant he would not complete his final semester at West Period, and that a rare fall semester would do it. be necessary to fulfill their December graduation requirements. It also meant he would be eligible for a fifth year of college football, like every other college athlete who had to endure the COVID restrictions that began in 2020.

So, with the blessing of Academy and West Point athletic officials, Finucane returned to action, providing a stabilizing force and effective presence on an offensive line that is putting up historic numbers.

“There’s really no better feeling being back and spending time with the guys, getting back into the program,” Finucane said. “Where I thought I played my last snap, I’m getting a whole different season.”

During spring preparation for the transition from a giant football player to a leaner officer and soldier, Finucane lost more than 50 pounds, down to 245 – he said it was the only way to succeed in an air assault school and complete the training required by the cadet obstacle course.

But then the news came that he might play one more season, and Finucane jumped at the chance. He had to return to the weight room and began consuming high-calorie drinks and dairy products – within two months, Finucane was back to 295-300 pounds.

Although he has been playing the sport since he was a child, Finucane also had to get used to football again. He hadn’t participated in Army spring practice or other summer football practices, so when he joined the team again, it took him a few plays to shock the system, and he began working with the members of the fourth team, usually reserved for newcomers to the program. .

There are reasons why Finucane has made 38 career starts and was a team captain for the 2023 season. His inherent skills began to take over, and even though he moved to the right side of the offensive line moving to the left, he again assumed a starting position.

In last Thursday night’s win at Temple, Finucane — wearing his familiar No. 60 — was clearly seen leading the way for Daily and others on a few important running plays.

Army won its first four games of the season and the offense put up 400 yards in each game, the first time that has happened in the 11 seasons with coach Jeff Monken at the helm – a large part of this is a national leader. 371.3 rushing yards, nearly 50 yards better than any other NCAA Division I school.

“It’s a great opportunity to come back,” Finucane said. “It’s just feelings of joy, to be honest. Everyone wants to play football as long as possible, especially when you find the Brotherhood.

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“I think for the locker room, seeing someone like Connor Finucane come back and be a part of this team for another year is great,” Army defensive coordinator Nate Woody said. He said Finucane’s journey is an inspiration and a lesson to others about leadership and overcoming obstacles. “I will always have an admiration for Connor Finucane,” Woody said.

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This article originally appeared on the Times Herald-Record: Army veteran Connor Finucane is excited to return to play football.