Army can salvage its football season, starting with a win at Air Force
The second season starts Saturday for Army football.
With a bowl game no longer a possibility, the Black Knights will need to win out to salvage a .500 season and with that comes the coveted Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy.
But first Army must win once.
The Black Knights (2-6) are mired in a five-game losing streak, matching the longest skid during coach Jeff Monken’s 10 years at West Point – there were similar streaks in 2014 and 2019.
The task won’t be easy with a trip to Denver, Colorado, to take on surging Air Force. The Falcons are 8-0 and a first-time visitor to the College Football Playoff listings at No. 25 and ranked No. 17 by the Associated Press.
“It’s a great rivalry spanning many decades and it’s always been a really tough fight and a great football game,’’ said Army head coach Jeff Monken.
The last five meetings have been one-score games, Army having won three of those. Last year the two teams concluded a two-game series at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, Air Force winning 13-7. Army won 21-14 in overtime in 2021.
“It seems like every one of these Academy games are like that,’’ Monken said, noting the Air Force-Navy series has also produced tight, low-scoring games the past three seasons.
Army is a 17.5-point underdog for the 2:30 p.m. ET game televised on CBS Sports Network. The contest will be played at Empower Field at Mile High, home of the NFL’s Broncos, making this the sixth time the two teams will meet on a neutral field – the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs is only 61 miles away.
This is leg two of the Commander-in-Chief series. Air Force won at Navy 17-6 two weeks ago. An Academy that wins twice takes home the trophy first established in 1972. A three-way tie would return the trophy to Air Force as the current holder. Air Force has won 21 times, Army nine (last in 2017, 2018 and 2020) and Navy in 2019 (last in 2015, 2019). Army will take on Navy in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on Dec. 9, their last meeting before the Black Knights join the Midshipmen in the American Athletic Conference in 2024.
The reason for Air Force’s success is easy: The Falcons lead the nation with an average of 300.4 rushing yards and rank second in rushing defense, allowing only 65.8 yards. Monken said Air Force’s ability to run the ball so well and draw defenses in has allowed the Falcons to throw over the top with success, as well.
“Hopefully we’ll be able to run the ball effectively,’’ Monken said, “and do a better job stopping the run than many of their opponents have.’’
The two biggest questions facing the Army offense this week are: 1) Who will start? Junior Bryson Daily or freshman Champ Harris, and, 2) Will either one of them be effective? Harris got the start but Daily was in for the third series and Harris was back in for the final two.
Army had only nine drives in last Saturday’s 21-14 loss to Massachusetts: two ended with touchdowns, two by interception, one by fumble, one by a failed field goal, one by punt, one by downs and one by halftime. Monken described the post-game video review as “agonizing.’’
“Points are at a premium and you’ve got to make each opportunity count,’’ said Monken, who remains concerned and baffled about the spate of Army turnovers.
Monken said the coaching staff has to do a better job of putting his players in a position to win, but they have to execute the plays at hand.
“Our guys are playing really hard and practicing hard to prepare,’’ he said. “I hate it for them. I want them to have success and to enjoy that thrill of victory. It’s been tough to be on this stretch of games.’’
More: College football TV, radio, web schedules for 2023
Notes: Army tight end Josh Lingenfelter back in the lineup. … Army’s last win over an AP Top-25 team was in 1972, over No. 19 Air Force. … Senior Jabari Moore should establish the career games played mark of 55, breaking a tie with Greg McGlasker (1973-77). … Linebacker Leo Lowin is a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, considered the Academic Heisman.
X / Twitter: @KenMcMillanTHR
This article originally appeared on Times Herald-Record: Army football seeks to snap five-game losing streak at Air Force
