Army’s football team is starting to gain some momentum this season, running the triple option to near perfection.
There’s a certain bad feeling you get when watching a game and rooting against a service academy team. Those guys are going to school in preparation to defend our freedom and protect the greatest country on earth. But, when it comes to Army football, it’s rough. Since leaving the Conference USA in 2004 and becoming an Independent school in the world of FBS football, it’s been a rough go around. They’ve only been to two bowl games, while winning both, but then again, those are the only two winning seasons the program has had since 2004.
Last year the team turned a corner, going 8-5, and capped it off with a win over North Texas in the Heart of Dallas Bowl. Even bigger than the bowl victory has to be the win over Navy. For most college football fans, it’s the only Army game they’ll see all year. It’s like a throwback treat for us football guys (and girls). Watching two teams run the triple option offense reminds everyone of the wing-t offense they ran in high school (shout out Coach Scammons). Last season, Army ended Navy’s 14 year win streak in the rivalry.
This season Army’s playing different. The triple option offense isn’t expected to kill it in the passing game. The run game is obviously going to be the bread and butter, but to expect these numbers is a little much. Army is averaging 365 yards per game*. Quarterback Ahmad Bradshaw has 1,132 yards on the season, averaging over 8 yards per carry. As a team, they average 6.3 yards per rush and have almost 3,330 yards rushing on the season.
While the team haven’t beat any quality teams, they have some good wins over lower tier teams, such as Eastern Michigan, UTEP, Fordham, Buffalo, Temple, Rice and Air Force. As long as they don’t blow the game I’m currently watching, Duke will be added to this list. (Editor’s Note: They didn’t blow it)
Their schedule clearly doesn’t scream that they should be ranked or anything of that nature, however, this season is showing a lot of promise. If they continue on to beat Duke, they should have a big match up next week against North Texas. North Texas is currently 6-3 (5-1 in Conference USA) and playing well in conference play. If the Black Knights could pull out a win, they could be looking for their first 10 win season going into their final regular season game against Navy.
Look for Army to be taking huge steps this season and next season and hoping for sustained success. College football is great when the service academies are playing well and that makes the Army-Navy game that much more entertaining, if that was even possible.
Since I’m writing this on Veterans Day, it’s only fitting that I say thank you to those who are currently serving, have served, or have passed away serving our great country. Your sacrifice doesn’t go unnoticed or unappreciated.
*All stats obtained from Army Football’s official website. Also, the stats are not counting the Duke game.