Army West Point Athletics
Army-Eastern Michigan Football Blog
October 11, 2008 | Football
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Good afternoon Army football fans! I’m Tracy Nelson and I’ll be bringing you today’s in-game blog for the Army-Eastern Michigan football game from here in venerable Michie Stadium. For those of you that have joined me in week’s past, thanks! For those of you newbies, I hope that you find this blog light and entertaining I’ll try to keep you as in-tuned to the game as possible.
First a little background, I’m in my second year here at West Point as an assistant director of athletic communications for senior associate AD Bob Beretta. I am the contact for volleyball, women’s basketball and women’s tennis, and somehow got wrangled into doing this year’s football blogs (lucky for you guys!).
Here’s how things go, I’ll do some pregame, intro-type stuff and then we’ll get going with the today’s game!
PREGAME
The Black Knights are looking for win #2 in a row today! The team has really put things together and are looking to keep that trend going this week as the team hosts Eastern Michigan on a gorgeous day here at West Point. The sun is shining, teams have taken the field and fans are starting to mill from Black Knights Alley into the stadium. I spent a decent amount of time down at BKA this morning and things were busy as can be. Hudson Blue was entertaining the fans with some oldies on the mic, former cadet-athletes Caleb Campbell, Nick Hill, Milan Dinga and Cole White were on hand to sign autographs. Both basketball teams were also busy shooting hoops with kids.
Okay, enough of about BKA for now and back to the game...it’s Homecoming today at Michie Stadium and each of the first 10,000 fans through the gates received a mini-replica of Michie Stadium at the door. Plenty of old grads are back for the weekend, reminiscing about their days at West Point. Speaking of old grads, I just had the pleasure to meet former Army women’s basketball great Julie DelGiorno. She is among 14 members of Army’s 1,000-point club and now works at Moravian College down in the Lehigh Valley (Pa.). She still has her loyalties to the BKs, however, and told me that she’ll be shouting in the stands when Army plays down at Lafayette and Lehigh. Go BKs!
Some background on the Army-Eastern Michigan series for you all ... these two teams have only met once in the history of both programs. Army hosted Eastern Michigan on Halloween night back in 1992 and came away with a convincing 57-17 win. The BKs come into today's contest fresh off of an impressive 44-13 win down at Tulane last Saturday, which improved their record to 1-4 on the year. The Eagles come in 2-4 and are 1-2 in the MAC so far this year.
Like I said before, fans at Michie today are going to enjoy quite a site with the sun shining on the turf, perfect temperatures around the 70s and plenty of fans to tailgate with out in the parking areas. We’re just about 30 minutes until game time, so it’s time for me to grab a quick bite to eat in order to avoid being starving and crabby on today’s blog. I’ll be back in a jiffy!
Now that my tummy is filled with some chicken parm, I can get back down to business. The cadets of the 3rd regiment are making their way onto the field now as we're about 15 minutes until kick. I've heard through the grapevine that fans are in for a special treat this afternoon, as they will be seeing a flyover here momentarily ...
Army's captains are now meeting at midfield - Collin Mooney, Mike Wright, Frank Scapaticci and John Plumstead making their way out. Army has won the toss, has elected to receive and will defend the south end of Michie Stadium. A good start for today's match-up!!
FIRST QUARTER
15:00 - EMU's Kevin Ditch is on to kick off for the Eagles with Jameson Carter dep for the Black Knights. Carter showing some moves early with a 34-yard return which will start Army's first drive at their own 39-yard-line. Wesley McMahand wastes no time getting to work as he scampers right down the Army sideline for a 28-yard pickup. The BKs moving very well over these first two plays. Again, sophomore QB Chip Bowden is behind center. He drops back to pass and looks for Damion Hunter around the three-yard line. A pass interference against EMU is called, moving the ball up to the EMU 18. Bowden has played extremely well through the last two weeks, which has coincided with the BKs adjusting more and more to this triple-option offense. Army picks up three and an EMU offsides call moves the ball up to 1st and 5 Army from the 15. Bowden goes to McMahand again and he barrels through a couple of defenders, gets two good blocks and it's an ARMY TOUCHDOWN! Matthew Campbell's PAT is good and Army couldn't have asked for a better start this afternoon!
Drive: 2 plays, 61 yards, 1:13
ARMY - 7
EMU - 0
Matthew Campbell back on for the kick and EMU's calls for a fair catch for Corey Welch at their own 23. Andy Schmitt is the QB for EMU this afternoon - he is a 6-4 junior - and his first pass falls incomplete. Schmitt goes to Dwayne Priest, who is brought down by Army senior Lowell Garthwaite after a 7-yard gain. Army's defense is all over Schmitt and Stephen Anderson is blindsided by Army's Stephen Anderson, but somehow Schmitt recovers. It's 3-and-out for the Eagles on this first drive and they are forced to punt. EMU boots it 58 yards and we also have our first timeout of today's game.
Army takes over 1st and 10 on their own 17. Bowden goes to Collin Mooney straight up the middle for a 4-yard gain. Mooney goes up the middle again, but we have a flag on the play. Offsides on the defense gives Army 5-yards and it's quickly 2nd and 1 from the 26. Bowden keeps it and picks up its fourth 1st down of the day.
10:00 - Mooney with the carry again, but there is a flag on the ground. Offsetting penalties keep the ball on the 34-yard line. Bowden with the pitch to Tony Dace, but he's brought down quickly for a five-yard loss. Bowden drops way back and is chased out of the pocket. His pass goes out of bounds as Army is out to punt for the first time today.
One thing that I did forget to mention is that I welcome any and all feedback, questions, concerns, etc. that you may have, feel free to email me at tracy.nelson@usma.edu anytime this afternoon! I'll do my best to get back to ya! I really enjoy knowing that at least somebody is reading this thing so that I can consider it worth my time:)
Alright I have to apologize as I stepped out for a second to get a water. When I sit back down, I'm greeted with a huge tackle for loss from Plumstead - moving EMU back eight yards. The Eagles now facing 3rd and 9 and Schmitt goes to the air. Stephen Anderson nearly picks that ball off, but at least bats it down and forces EMU to punt again. Zach Johnson boots the ball 48 yards and Army takes over ...
Again, Bowden goes to Mooney and he is off to the races - cruising 67-yards up to the EMU 21. I thought he was gone there for a second, but got tripped up and even did a somersault to boot! Army with a couple of short gains and now facing 3rd and 6 from the 17.
5:00 - McMahand takes the pitch and he is brought down at the 12-yard-line. 4th and inches and head coach Stan Brock is feeling good and going for it here! Bowden on the keeper - it doesn't look like he got much - indeed he did not and EMU takes over on their own 12-yard-line.
Coming out of a media timeout, the Eagles are looking to get on the board. Dwayne Priest on the carry but he is met with at least two BKs quickly. A loss of one brings up 2nd and 11. Priest with the carry again, but this time he tries the opposite side, but is met with the same answer and no gain. Priest on the carry again. He finds a hole and picks up enough for a 1st down EMU. Schmitt sticking with Priest again. Luckily, he's tripped up by Donovan Travis after a 1st down at the EMU 49. Priest picks up another three as time is winding down here in the first quarter. Schmitt then finds Josh LoDuc for a 22-yard pickup to the Army 26 and that will end the first quarter.
SECOND QUARTER
15:00 - The Eagles now heading north on the Army 26. EMU going with a new QB here in the second as Tyron Burke takes over. His pass falls short to bring up 2nd down. That's enough for Burke for the moment, as Schmitt heads back in and picks up two. The BKs are all over the Eagles again here for a 1-yard loss. EMU's Joe Carithers is now on to attempt a 43-yard FG. It is good for Carithers and the Eagles are on the board...
Drive: 11 plays, 63 yards, 5:42
ARMY - 7
EMU - 3
Zach Johnson is on to kick for EMU with Mike Emmons with a six-yard return. Army will start this drive from its own 32. Bowden with a pitch to a flashing Dace for a three-yard gain. Bryson Carl picks up five, but then the BKs suffer a seven-yard loss and are forced to punt. Marvon Sanders calls for a fair catch of Andrew Rinehart's 33-yard punt. The Eagles take over on their own 34.
THANK YOU to all of those that have taken a couple minutes to email in. I will get to answering any questions that I can during a break! The BKs are looking good, so it's keeping my fingers mighty busy typing! I'm glad that I can help you guys get at least a little bit of an idea of what's going on - or at the very least give you the score....
Back to the action, Dwayne Priest with a 20-yard gain on the ground. Schmitt goes to Priest again, but he is brought down by Antuan Aaron after a 4-yard pick-up. 2nd and six from the Army 42. Schmitt finds Jacory Stone near the EMU sideline and picks up enough for a 1st down. Schmitt goes to the air again and finds Tyler Jones. He has to grip the ball eightly as Army's Richard King is right there to meet him. The EMU 1st down moves the ball to the Army 23.
10:00 - Army penalty for a late hit after an EMU six-yard gain moves the ball down to 1st and goal from the Army 9. Terrence Blevins on the carry. He is brought down by Frank Scapaticci after a 4-yard gain. Army fans are on their feet and making some noise now as the Eagles are knocking on the door. Flags on the turf now, but they are offsetting deadball penalties and it keeps the ball at the 5. Blevins on the carry and he heads straight up the middle for an EMU touchdown. The PAT is good.
Drive: 7 plays, 66 yards, 3:51
ARMY - 7
EMU - 10
Well folks, let's see if the BKs can reclaim their lead here. Jameson Carter takes off and picks up 30 yards on the return, giving the BKs solid field position from their own 42. Collin Mooney on the carry for a 3-yard gain. Bowden on the keeper. He is met with a couple of Eagles and picks up three. 3rd and 4 from the Army 48. Bowden on the keeper again for a 3-yard gain. Army looking at 4th and 1 from the EMU 49. Head coach Stan Brock calls for a 30-second timeout to ponder this decision ...
It looks like Army is going to go for it ... hold it, spoke too soon. EMU calls for timeout, which will extend to a media timeout ...
Army still going for it here on 4th down. Bowden goes to Mooney and he works his way ahead for a big Army 1st down!! Bowden with a pitch to Dace. He was on the run and Dace looked like he might have bobbled it a bit. Army fumbles right in front the EMU sideline and the Eagles recover.
5:00 - Priest on the carry again here. He bursts through for a quick 18-yard gain on the play. Tyler Jones with the carry for a short gain. It's now 2nd and 8 from the Army 27. Priest is motoring along for a six-yard gain. He now has 12 carries for a 104 yards and we are still in the first half. Schmitt now goes to Blevins for no gain. EMU is sending out Joe Carithers for a 38-yard FG attempt. The kick is good.
Drive: 5 plays, 26 yards, 2:33
ARMY - 7
EMU - 13
Army's Jameson Carter is deep for the BKs, but it's Kyle Bates with the fair catch as Army takes over 1st and 10 from their own 39. Mooney bangs ahead for a couple of yards. Mooney for a couple of more, but he heads right into a pile of players. A three-yard gain brings up 3rd and 5 from their own 44. Bowden looking long for Mike Wright, but the pass is way ahead of Wright near the 20-yard-line. Andrew Rinehart is on to punt for Army with Marvon Sanders deep for the Eagles. A great, 43-yard punt for Rinehart, which puts the ball on the EMU 13.
Priest is on the run again for a three-yard gain on the play. Priest on the carry for another three-yard pick-up. EMU takes a knee and we are at halftime here at Michie. I'll be back with some stats momentarily....
HALFTIME
ARMY - 7
EMU - 13
First Downs
EMU - 10
Army - 6
Rushing Yards
EMU - 22-113
Army - 21-135
Passing Yards
EMU - 42
Army - 0
Time of Possession
EMU - 17:02
Army - 12:58
While I'm thinking about it here and have a couple of minutes, one fan emailed in asking about the Black Death Award, which coach Brock awarded to Collin Mooney after his near-perfect game at Tulane last week. Brian Gunning, one of the football contacts in our office actually picked up one of the awards on Friday. Honestly, that thing is no joke! It's a mounted knife that looks like if it came within inches, it would slice your finger right off. For more info - or at least the info that we have - on the coveted Black Death Award, click here.
THIRD QUARTER
15:00 - EMU starts off the second half with a 31-yard return and takes over on their own 30. The Eagles going back to what's been working pretty much all day and that is Dwayne Priest. He has no gain on this play, but has 15 carries for 110 yards already this afternoon. QB Schmitt goes back to the air and his pass is incomplete. A big play here for the BK defense as EMU faces 3rd and 10. A wide open Tyler Jones drops the ball and EMU is now forced to punt.
Jameson Carter is deep for Army. He goes on to drop the ball and the fumble goes unforced. Army's Steve Erzinger recovers, thankfully, as one EMU player almost came up with it. Army taking over now and they go back to Mooney for a four-yard gain. It's now 2nd and 7 on the Army 41. Mooney breaks loose!!! He is off and running for a 54-yard gain. He did a great job of evading a couple of tackles on the way and the BKs are now 1st and goal from the four. Mooney going to work again and picks up two. Bowden keeps it and picks up one. Army's crowd is back into it now! Mooney on the carry and he is stopped just short, bringing up 4th and inches. Stan Brock opting to go for a FG here. The 18-yard attempt for Matthew Campbell is good!
Drive: 6 plays, 61 yards, 3:22
ARMY - 10
EMU - 13
10:00 - Dontayo Gage comes up with a 21-yard return of Campbell's kick. Schmitt goes through the air and finds Marvon Sanders for a 15-yard gain at midfield. Tyler Jones with the carry and he is brought down by Fritz Bentler after a one-yard gain. It's now 2nd and 9 from the EMU 44. Schmitt's pass is dropped by Jacory Stone. The Eagles having a bit of trouble catching the ball today. Schmitt is pretty accurate, but his recievers just can't connect. Look at that, as soon as I type that, Schmitt moves around and finds Jacory Stone. We have a flag down, however, and its holding against EMU to bring up 3rd and 19 from the EMU 34. Big break there for the BKs I would say. Schmitt looking way upfield for Darrion Brown. He is tracked by Army's Lawrence Brown and his whistled for a pass interference, giving the Eagles 1st and 10 on the Army 49.
Priest on the carry for a four-yard gain. Schmitt looking way ahead and finds Ben Thayer for a 23-yard gain. Schmidtt now finds Josh LoDuc, who shows a nice vertical going up for that ball. EMU looking at 1st and goal on the six. Blevins on the carry with nowhere to run. He picks up one and Schmitt goes back to work. Looking for LoDuc, but Army's Lowell Garthwaite is there for the breakup. Schmitt forced to run all over the place and he finally spots Tyler Jones. Army's Richard King is there to breakup that pass and EMU is on to attempt a 22-yard FG. IT'S BLOCKED! Senior Victor Ugenyi with his second block in a row! He just got straight up there and made a heck of a play to keep EMU from extending its lead any more ...
5:00 - Mooney picks up a first down for the BKs. At his own 41, Bowden's pass lofts out of bounds. Mooney on the carry again. He motors ahead for a 7-yard gain and Army 1st down. Mooney with the carry again and he gets eight yards. Mooney really piling up the yards today as he picks up another yard. He is at 19-184 so far today. Mooney picks up two more here and it's enough for an Army 1st down. Bowden goes to Mooney again for four yards. Bowden keeps it this time and gets a couple of yards, but there is a flag on the play. Offsides EMU and Army now looking at 2nd and 1 from the EMU 31. Mooney on the carry and it's enough for another Army 1st down. Army now with 11 first downs on the day. Mooney just registered a new career-best with 193 yards on the day. No doubt that number will increase as we continue into the fourth quarter.
Bryson Carl with the carry for a five-yard gain. Bowden with the keeper next and he is able to get a couple and its enough to warrant a measurement on the field. Army looking at 3rd and 1 from the 17 when we come back. I hear the cannon, so that means we are now off to start the fourth quarter.
FOURTH QUARTER
15:00 - Well ladies and gentlemen, 15 more minutes for Army to go to work here at Michie. Today's official attendance is 27,096 fans and they would like nothing more than to see an Army comeback here in the fourth.
Ian Smith with his first carry of the day and it's enough for a clutch Army 1st down from the EMU 13. Mooney goes up the middle and picks up four. Bowden on the keeper ... he finds a gaping hole and scampers in for his first career TD!!! Matthew Campbell on for the PAT and it's good!! ARMY BACK IN FRONT!!
Drive: 14 plays, 80 yards, 6:51
ARMY - 17
EMU - 13
Dontayo Gage is deep for the Eagles as Campbell rolls back on to kickoff for the BKs. The ball goes out of bounds inside the two-yard-line. There is a flag on the play for a free kick against the Black Knights, which will bring the ball out to the 40-yard-line. Schmitt is chased by Stephen Anderson and his pass is ruled incomplete. The Army defense really needs to step up here. So far, so good, as Schmitt's pass intended for Marvon Sanders is incomplete. EMU facing 3rd and 10. They are 1-of-8 on 3rd down today. Army's D coming up huge again, as Schmitt was looking for Tyler Jones but that is also incomplete. Zach Johnson on to punt with Jameson Carter deep. Carter with a fair catch at the BKs 33-yard-line.
Bowden's with the pitch to Tony Dace for 15-yard pickup and an Army 1st down at the 38. Bryson Carl on the carry for a two-yard gain. Mooney with the carry and he is now over 200-yards rushing today. He is the first Army player to rush over 200 yards since Carlton Jones did it vs. Air Force back in 2004. Jones had 213 against the Falcons that day. Mooney is officially 23-204 this afternoon.
Back to the action, Carl with the carry and he gets enough for an Army 1st down. Carl on the carry again, but there is no gain on the play, so we're at 2nd and 10 on the Army 49. Bowden with the pitch to Tony Dace for a six-yard gain. Mooney on the carry again. This kid is just refusing to go down, breaking tackles left and right here when the BKs really need it. He turned that one into a nine-yard gain and gave Army a 1st down on the EMU 36.
10:00 - Mooney with the carry again and he gets two. Mooney on the carry again and he fumbles the ball under a pile of players. EMU's Jermaine Jenkins recovers. The only good news out of that play is that it is now under review and we are at a timeout. The call on the field stands and the BKs are about to really rely on its defense here with 8:44 to play.
Schmitt's pass is complete to Marvon Sanders, who turns around to make it a 16-yard gain for the Eagles. Sanders is now being escorted off the field by a couple of athletic trainers. He is walking on his own, so I'm not sure exactly what happened there. Schmitt now opts for Dwayne Priest on the carry and he picks up four on the play. Schmitt's pass fall short to Jacory Stone, bringing up 3rd and 6 on the Army 48. A big play here if Army can force the punt ...
Ask and you shall receive! Richard King and Ted Bentler swarm in an takes Schmitt down on the sack for a seven-yard loss. EMU is on to punt and the Black Knights fair catch on their own 17.
After the BKs come up with a huge stop that may have very well saved the game thus far, they take over and pick up six on the first play. Mooney on the carry again and he is just moving things with a full head of steam. He has 27 carries for 225 yards today, which is tied for 5th all-time in the Army annals. He ups that number on his next carry and the three-yard gain makes it 2nd and 7 on the Army 34. Mooney pushes ahead again a yard. Bowdin on the keeper and he picks up two. Army staring at 4th and four, and Stan Brock would like to talk about this one during a timeout.
5:00 - Andrew Rinehart on to punt for the BKs and EMU will take over with 3:22 to go. His 46-yard boot spots the ball at the EMU 17. Terrence Blevins on the carry for a 14-yard gain on the play. Schmitt's pass is complete to Jacory Stone near the EMU sideline after picking up five. Schmitt's looking way upfield for Stone, who is just short of making the catch. EMU facing 3rd and five from the EMU 36. Schmitt looking for LoDuc and Frank Scapaticci is right there to bat the ball down. It looks like the Eagles will go for it here on 4th and 5. Schmitt's pass is broken up and tipped by Stephen Anderson and the BKs TAKE OVER!!! What a stand by this BK defense...
2:00 - Bowden will start the BKs drive on the EMU 36. Bryson Carl on the rush for a two-yard pickup. EMU head coach Jeff Genyk calls timeout. Bryson Carl with a six-yard gain and EMU burns yet another timeout.
Time is ticking here for the Eagles, although Army suffers a loss of one on its next rush. Bowden on the keeper and he is just short of the first down. There is a flag on the play. They are offsetting personal foul plays after there was a bit of a scuffle out there at the end. EMU will now take over again here with 1:40 to play. They are on their own 26 to start the drive.
The Eagles pick up five on the rush, but Schmitt's pass falls incomplete to bring up 3rd and 5 from the Eagle 32. Fans on their feet and loud here at Michie now!! Blevins on the carry and there is a flag thrown and it appears to be against the Eagles. The call is holding against EMU and couldn't have come at a better time. The 10-yard setback ups the ball back on the 23. Schmitt's pass is incomplete and that will bring up 4th and 13. IAnother incomplete pass for Schmidt and the BKs take over on downs. can't say it enough how huge this BK defense has come up late in today's game. Kudos to defensive coordinator John Mumford and his kids for this one...
Army will take a knee and this game is over. ARMY WINS!
FINAL SCORE
ARMY - 17
EMU - 13
Thank you so much for joining me for a win today! It's the first one I've been able to see this year and the second in a row for the BKs! Fans are happy, the corps is looking like an uplifted bunch and the team is finally on its home field for a win!
What a great way to cap off a wonderful Homecoming weekend here at West Point. Be sure to check www.goARMYsports.com for a complete recap, photos, quotes, notes and of course final statistics. I hope you all enjoy the rest of your weekend - I know after a win, everyone here at West Point will!
GO ARMY! BEAT BUFFALO!
