Air Force Falcons @ Army Black Knights Football Preview

The Army Black Knights will try to become bowl-eligible on Saturday when the Air Force Falcons visit Michie Stadium.

Army has beaten Air Force just once since 1996, but the Black Knights have to feel like this is the year.  The teams are both 5-3, and Army seems to have its best team in quite a while.  With a win, the Black Knights could lock up an Armed Forces Bowl invitation.

The Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy is also on the line.  Because Air Force beat Navy on Oct. 2, the Falcons can secure the coveted award with a win Saturday. 

Air Force last 28-23 to eighth-ranked Utah last week, and has lost three in a row since beating Navy.  With all that’s at stake, and a chance to bounce back, the Falcons should be breathing fire on Saturday. Last season, Air Force stomped Army 35-7 in Colorado Springs.

The Black Knights overwhelmed Virginia Military Institute last week, winning 29-7 to bounce back from an overtime loss at Rutgers.

Running back Jared Hassin ran for a career-high 158 yards, and has now reached the century mark in three straight games.  He also led Army in receiving with 54 yards on three catches.  Patrick Mealy ran for 97 yards on 18 carries, and quarterback Trent Steelman added 42 rushing yards.

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Hassin and Steelman, leaders of the nation’s seventh-ranked rushing attack, will be facing an Air Force defense that has often struggled to stop the run, especially during the Falcons’ recent losing streak. The Falcons’ defense did seem to wake up during the fourth quarter against Utah.  The Utes gained just 37 yards on 21 fourth-quarter plays.

Army ran for 316 yards against VMI, but was just 2-for-13 on third down and gained just 14 first downs. The previous week against Rutgers, the Black Knights dominated the first half, outgaining the Scarlet Knights 287-65, and led 17-3 at halftime, but were shut out in the second.  Two fourth-quarter touchdowns allowed Rutgers to force overtime.  During the OT, Army had to settle for a field goal after a miscommunication busted a crucial third-down play.  Rutgers completed the comeback with a touchdown.

Army was uncharacteristically mistake-prone against Rutgers.  In addition to the broken play in overtime, the Black Knights took crucial fourth-quarter penalties that kept Rutgers’ scoring drives alive. Perhaps they had lapses in concentration against Rutgers, but focus shouldn’t be a problem for Rich Ellerson’s team this week. 

There’s too much on the line.

By: James Lambert
DFN Sports Staff Writer