Army West Point Athletics
Army-UNH Football Game Blog
September 06, 2008 | Football
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PREGAME
Hello and welcome to Michie Stadium on this gorgeous (I wish) football Saturday for the Black Knights’ second test of the season. Army hosts New Hampshire this afternoon with an official kickoff of 1:06 p.m. (you’ve got to love when TV calls the shots!). If you’re reading this blog and I’m boring you to death, there are several ways to watch/listen to today’s action....Knight Vision at www.goARMYsports.com ... WABC 770-AM in NYC ... WLNA 1420-AM, WGHQ 920-AM, WBNR 1260-AM here in the Hudson Valley ... ESPN Classic nationwide.
Now that I’ve given you the low-down on all of the venues to avoid my analysis of this afternoon’s game, I’ll take this opportunity to introduce myself. My name is Tracy Nelson and I am an Assistant Director in the Army Athletic Communications Office. I just started my second year and am primarily responsible for taking care of the press needs for women’s basketball, volleyball and women’s tennis (I like to joke that I have the highest combined winning percentage of all of my co-workers) here at the Academy. Among some other duties, I’ve been tagged to blog from all home football game this season (lucky readers!).
I strongly encourage feedback/questions/concerns/complaints during today's blog, so give me a shout at tracy.nelson@usma.edu if you see fit ... I won't be offended and will certainly try my best to answer ya!
The whole blog initiative started in our office last December and has since blown up to include many sports. If I had to guess, I would say that we’ve covered nearly 100 events since last winter. I will try to keep things light and give you as much information as possible so that you won’t stop reading too quickly! If you read last week’s blog, it was my first shot at football and I prefaced things by saying that I don’t pretend to be a football expert just merely a fan! I will try my best to keep you tuned into the action but I’ll be honest, my insight into the Xs and Os is not the greatest...I stand by my thought that football is one of those sports that you cannot truly understand and appreciate 100% until you’ve played. Being that I haven’t played anything but touch football back in the day (gym class all-star!), I can’t say that I can be inside the lines, so to speak...
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last couple of days, you are well-aware of tropical storm Hannah that has been wreaking havoc up and down the East Coast. With heavy rain and winds gusts of up to 30-40 mph expected, game day operations here at West Point have taken a hit. Black Knights Alley and the cadet review are among cancelled activities, but for the health and safety of our fans, it was the only decision to go with. Needless to say, if you sent family or friends to the game today, I hope they brought a poncho!
One activity that is still on, just making a location change today is the game day giveaway. This week, the first 10,000 fans 15 and over will receive a commemorative New York Giants mini helmet in recognition of New York Giants Appreciate Day. A couple Big Blue players made their way to West Point for an autograph session Tight end Kevin Boss and defensive end Dave Tollefson offered their John Hancock before today's game.
Lt. Col. Greg Gadson, a former Army football player who was a fixture on the Giants’ sidelines during the magical playoff run, was expected to participate in the festivities and receive his Super Bowl ring from the organization. Instead, Gadson will play a special part in the halftime ceremony via a video board message. He is presently in Beijing, China, after being chosen as a part of President George W. Bush’s Delegation for the Paralympics.
The good news for Army fans is the fact that with the team’s new option-based offense, whipping winds shouldn’t have a huge impact on the offense’s game plan. For New Hampshire, which is expected to rely heavily on the arm of QB R.J. Toman, it could be a different story.
While the Black Knights already have one game under their belt, bowing to Temple last Friday night here at Michie, UNH is opening its 2008 campaign this afternoon. The Wildcats are out of the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly and to me will probably always be I-AA). Army has a 48-9-1 record against FCS schools.
The last time Army and UNH met on the gridiron, Warren G. Harding was president. The year was 1922 and Army shutout the Wildcats, 33-0, to even the series at 1-1. UNH won the first installment the previous season by a 10-7 score.
If you’re catching the game on ESPN Classic this afternoon, let me draw your attention to the wonderful talent, Eric Collins and Shaun King. This is the second week in a row that we’ve had this pair at West Point...what a treat! No matter what he says on air, I have to give Shaun some props on his fashion. About two hours before kick, he wandered into our press area here in Hoffman looking for some advice. With roughly six ties in hand and 4-5 judges, the perfect tie was selected. I was partial to a gold (no bias there!) number, but the winner was picked by our very own Mady Salvani! The “coach” as we call her is not usually one to give fashion advice, but she earned some cool points today for sure!
Alright, now I’ll break for a second, grab some coffee and come back to enlighten ya’ll on some other happenings here at West Point...
ALSO AROUND WEST POINT
Although head coach Stan Brock’s troops are in full-swing, they are not the only team here at West Point to be in that same spot...
I’ll start with volleyball, since that requires the least amount of effort for me! This is my second year covering the volleyball team and I have to say that they are amazing to watch. High-energy head coach Alma Kovaci has her BKs off to a 4-0 start to the year. Army has not even lost a set yet, including a 3-0 win over an impressive Temple club last night. The Black Knights remain in Philly today for a pair of matches to close out the Temple Tournament Fairfield at 10 a.m. and Bowling Green at 3 p.m. I’ll try my best to keep you updated on those scores as they come in.
Women’s soccer is also going full-steam ahead and is currently down in St. Louis for the Toys For Tots Tournament. A senior-laden team, Army has been getting a lot of help from its younger players early on this season. The Black Knights got a goal from freshman Deanna Clegg last night against Missouri State gave Army a 1-0 win and improved the Black Knights to 3-1. That’s the best start since 2005...keep it going coach V and the ladies! They play again on Sunday at noon EST against Southeast Missouri State.
After losing nine seniors to graduation last year, the men’s soccer team is in a rebuilding stage for this year. Head coach Curt Swanbeck and the BKs are 0-3 thus far, but have dropped each game by just a single goal. Army has a few days off before returning to action on Wednesday at home against Manhattan. Start time is 7 p.m. here at Clinton Field.
That pretty much does it for teams that are already in action. However, golf, cross country, sprint football and men’s and women’s tennis get underway in the coming week.
BACK TO GRID
Now that I’ve digressed to update you on other teams here at West Point, let’s get back to the football. Army debuted its much-anticipated option offense against Temple. Reviews were mixed, but Stan Brock assured the media and fans that the team took some positives from last week’s setback. He said that for the first time since he’s been here (2004 as an assistant O-line coach), the team came out realistically thinking that they were going to win. He said that the disappointment around the team was genuine disappointment and a feeling that they should have won that game. The defense played well enough to win, according to Brock, but the offense has some kinks to work out against UNH today.
The clock reads about 50 minutes until kickoff now and both teams are out on the field going through some pre-game warm-ups. Still no sign of significant rain, although I was told that it was "misting" a bit. A foggy ceiling has begun to develop overhead and the humidity is brutal out there. It surely feels like a storm...it's just a matter of how long until it hits.
Our "official" weather forcast brought to you by my colleague Brian Gunning here at Hoffman Press Box is as follows: 78 degrees ... wind 2 mph out of the east ... humidity of 83 percent ... head index of 84 degrees ... currently experiencing periods of rain with a chance of thunderstorms. Rain may be heavy at times. Winds increasing to 20 to 30 mph with gusts to around 40 mph in the afternoon. Chance of rain 90 percent.
There you have it, folks. I'll keep you updated as the action moves forward...
I'm off to grab a bite to eat and will be back with you as we move closer to the magical time - 1:06 p.m.
As per tradition here at West Point, the 1st Regiment of the Corps of Cadets make their way onto the field as the band entertains the Michie Stadium crowd. Based on the weather, I can assume that there will not be a paratrooper sighting today...so sad! That's one of my favorite parts week-in and week-out.
Army's captains - Collin Mooney, John Plumstead, Frank Scappaticci, Mike Wright - make their way to midfield to meet with the UNH captains for the coin toss. Army won the toss and has elected to receive and defend the north goal.
FIRST QUARTER
15:00 - Patrick Mealy opens the game with a bang. His 39-yard kickoff return brings gets a huge ovation from the crowd. Army goes right to work on the ground, as Collin Mooney takes the first two carries from junior QB Carson Williams. Army facing 3rd and 6. Tony Dace coralls a pitch from Williams for a five-yard gain and we have a flag on the play. UNH is called for offsides, which gives Army a 3rd and one situation. Williams goes to Mealy up the middle. He is brought down by Devon Jackson with just enough - literally - with a one-yard gain for an Army 1st down with the ball on the Army 48.
Williams goes to Dace out of the backfield. His scamper to towards the right hashmarks picks up twoyards. Another flag - illlegal block in the back - against UNH results in an Army 1st down. Williams finds Dace again He picks up four. Mooney takes the handoff and goes right up the middle for a three-yard gain. The zebras are now out to measure and the BKs are facing 4th and inches. Stan Brock opting to go for it with the ball on the UNH 38. Williams keeps it and appears to have gotten enough for a 1st down. Indeed he has! Williams picks up two.
10:00 - The BKs looking deliberate and efficient on this first drive. Much-improved from last week already. Mooney with his fifth carry of the day to pick up two. Williams goes to the air for the first time today. He finds Joe LeForte in the flat for a five-yard pick up. Army now looking at 3rd and four on the UNH 31.
Here comes the rain, folks. A steady rain is starting to fall and the yellow slickers are starting to show. The cadets have pulled out the dress gray ponchos as well - it looks like nothing but a sea of gray...
Williams on the carry for a loss of three. Army is forced to punt, as Andrew Rinehart heads out on the field. The ball goes out of bounds inside the one yard line - a fabulous punt for Rinehart! However, we've just gotten word that the spot of the punt is now under review. The play stands as called. UNH ball on their own 1.
UNH starts the drive with decent yardage, as Robert Simpson finds a gap for a 14-yard gain. QB R.J. Toman's pass falls incomplete. Toman started one game last year, but played the previous two years behind Walter Payton Award winner Ricky Santos - that basically means that Santos was the MVP of the FBS and the program's best player ever. Toman with some big shoes to fill...
He has the Wildcats their first 1st down of the game. Toman working out of the shotgun, but he opts for the ground. Chad Kackert picks up five yards and Toman's next pass is incomplete after Army's Lowell Garthwaite breaks up the pass. Facing 4th and two, UNH out to punt.
Carlo Sandiego is deep for the Black Knights. He hits a wall in UNH's John Clements at the 23-yard-line for an eight-yard return. Army will take over when we come out of this TV timeout.
5:00 - Mooney goes up the middle for a short gain as the rain gets heavier here at Michie Stadium. This place is normally such a beautiful sight, but when it's gloomy outside, everything just turns gray and blends in. Like I said though, when the sun is shining, I would go out on a limb and say that there is no better setting in whcih to watch a college football game.
Williams' pass to Jameson Carter on to his right pays off! Carter takes off ahed of the defense for a HUGE 59-yard pickup. Army moves up to the UNH 16. I'm just told that's Army's longest play from scrimmage this season ... it was also Jameson's career-long ... stick around ... good things to come!
Mooney breaks open following an Army timeout to organize. His 12-yard gain gives Army a 1st and goal from the four. Williams pitches to Dace, but he is unable to gain any yardage. Williams hands off to Mealy next. His picks up two, pushing Army to the UNH two yard line.
Williams slings the ball up to Mike Evans who ran through two defenders to the left corner of the goal. ARMY TOUCHDOWN! Adam DeMarco completes the PAT and the BKs are on the board, 7-0!!
Drive: 6 plays, 77 yards, 3:03
Army - 7
UNH - 0
That was Mike Evans' - a senior out of Oklahoma City - first career TD reception. Williams also just took sole posession of seventh in the Army record books for TD passes.
A speedy John Clements lets loose on the very next play and it seems like deja vu for the BKs from last week. He breaks through a couple of tackles and proceeds to run 87 yards for a UNH touchdown. The PAT is good, and we're all tied up with 2:19 to play in the 1st quarter.
Army - 7
UNH - 7
Last year Army's special teams ranked among the highlights of the team's accomplishments. It's no doubt that they have taken a hit this year, but hopefully that will rectify itself soon.
Mealy is deep for the BKs. He is brought down by Ryan McGuinness at the Army 31. Williams goes to Dace, but there's no gain on the play. Williams drops back to pass, but is only able to pick up one on the snare from Mooney. Army facing 3rd and nine with just over a minute to play in the quarter. Don't ask me why, but this first quarter seems to be lasting forever.
Williams goes to the air again, finding Jameson Carter for a 10-yard gain and enough for an Army 1st down. Things looking up here for the teams and the fans, as the rain seems to have let up a tad. Mooney on the next carry. He picks up one and now has eight carries for 26 yards on the day.
I hear the cannon in across the resevoir, so that means the end of the 1st here at Michie.
Tim Volkmann - the voice of Army Athletic Communications - is on the internal PA today and running through out-of-town scores. A big smile comes across my colleague Gunny's face, as we are informed that Ohio currently leads Ohio State, 7-6. The "Gun Boat" as some like to call him, worked the last two years as the SID for the Bobcats before my boss, Bob Beretta, set his sights on him and was convincing enough to get him here at West Point. The rest is history...
SECOND QUARTER
15:00 - Army's Robert McClary with his first carry of the day. He picks up four yards to open the 2nd quarter, bringing the BKs to midfield. Williams' pass to Jamison Maehler on the left flank is good, bringing up an Army 1st down on the UNH 46. Williams goes back to McClary, who is brought down after a two-yard advance. Williams finds Mike Wright just inside the UNH sideline for an 11-yard gain. Army moving the ball well coming out of the break.
Williams goes to Ian Smith for a five-yard pickup. I can't think of Ian Smith without immediately thinking of 90210's Ian Ziering (they are both pronounced funny - EYE-on). Speaking of 90210, I think that will be my new weakness this fall...it might be horrible television and not nearly live up to the first rendition, but I'm giving it a try for old time's sake. I've found that working around sports really makes me want to limit my exposure to them outside of work...so I instead rely on terrible, gossip-filled TV to entertain me...
As I'm digressing, Mooney fumbles on the UNH 26 and it is recovered by UNH's Lance Mailloux. Wildcats take over...
10:00 - Toman's handoff turns out to be even more of a gain after a 15-yard facemask penalty on the BKs. That brings the ball up to the UNH 43-yard-line. Toman's pass to Mike Boyle is complete for a 17-yard gain. Mike Gann's bulldozes right after Toman for Army's first sack of the season and four-yard loss. Two quick plays ensue and UNH is able to pick up solid yardage. 4th and two and UNH is going for it. The Army defense looking to make a stand...
Chad Kackert had other plans in mind, as he picks up five yards and a 1st down on the Army 27. UNH is working quick, leaving the Army D little time to organize. UNH's Chad Kackert breaks down his own team's sideline for a Wildcat TD. The PAT is good, so UNH moves on top and makes Army pay for that costly fumble...
Drive: 8 plays, 74 yards, 3:00
Army - 7
UNH - 14
A noteworthy sighting - somewhat concerning - as Carson Williams is spotted around the 26-yard-line with ice on his left hand/wrist. That cannot be good for the BKs. Williams is currently 7-for-7 passing with 95 yards and one TD.
Tom Manning (I wonder if there's any relation...hmm I'll look into it) on to kick for the Wildcats. Mealy is back to receive for the BKs. He nearly breaks a tackle but is brought down by the toes at the Army 40.
Chip Bowden is now behind center for Army. Bowden got just a couple of snaps against Temple last week and had zero game experience coming into the year. Let's see what he can do - it's a golden opportunity for the sophomore out of Plant City, Fla. So far, he's guided Army ahead seven yards, as the team looks at 3rd and three. Bowden goes to Dace, who is dragged out of bounds on the Army sideline for a loss of four. Andrew Rinehart heads out to punt with Boyle deep for UNH. The ball will be downed on at the 12. A 45-yard punt for Rinehart - that's good ones in a row for him today.
UNH goes to work deep into their own territory. Toman's long pass downfield is intercepted by Army sophomore Donovan Travis!!! Along with a 15-yard facemask penalty, Army takes over of the UNH 40 with just over 6:00 to play.
Bowden still behind center for the BKs. What a quick turnaround - bad news for you I am afraid. Bowden fumbles and UNH recovers on the 20. Sloppy football today in weather that is not nearly as sloppy as expected. UNH head mentor Sean McDonnell, in his 10th season with the Wildcats, calls timeout. A quick five-yard pickup for the Wildcats. Toman is then chased out of bounds by Frank Scappaticci - officially a sack - for a loss of three yards.
5:00 - Toman's pass over the middle is complete to Mike Boyle...enough for a 1st down. The Army defense collapses around the UNH rush for a gain of just one on the next play. Toman back to pass - it's complete to Scott Sicko, but both teams fall all over the ball at the 48. Lowell Garthwaite's hit forced the ball out of Sicko's hands and ARMY RECOVERS! Mike Gann comes up with it...turnover city here at Michie today...I don't know if that's a good or a bad thing. Maybe they'll get it all out of their system now and we'll play a clean second half.
Bowden still on the field. He goes to McClary for a three-yard pickup. Bowden's pass is tipped, spinning errant and out of bounds. That marked Bowden's first collegiate pass attempt - he drops back for another, but a slip-up back at the Army 48 brings up 4th and 15 for the BKs. Rinehart is in to punt with Mike Boyle deep for the Wildcats. The ball is downed after a 38-yard punt for Rinehart on the UNH 14-yard-line.
Toman's pass, intended for Kackert, is incomplete. Kackert doing it all as he takes the handoff from Toman for a short gain. Flag on the play as UNH is called for an illegal block. The result is half the distance to the goal, pulling the Wildcats back to their own nine-yard-line. 2nd and 15 for UNH. Toman's pass goes over the middle to Kackert. He is forced out of bounds after a nine-yard gain by Army sophomore Jordan Trimble, little brother to Army great Jeremy Trimble. Their may be just a couple years between them, but they sure do look like twins.
UNH elects to punt and Sandiego goes deep for Army. He is brought down after an 11-yard return. Army takes over 1st and 10 on the UNH 49 with 1:38 to go in the half.
Bowden is back - I think its suffice to say that Williams wont' be back this half. Bowden hands off to Mooney for a big 13-yard pickup. It took two defenders to bring Mooney down on the uNH 37. Mooney showing his motor again with a six-yard gain to the UNH 30. Stan Brock burns a timeout to rally the troops - with 1:04 on the clock and just 30 yards from the promised land, there's plenty of time to tie this game before the cannon blows.
Bowden keeps the ball for himself for a six-yard rush. He then spikes the ball to bring up second down. Bowden on the keeper again. It's a loss of one on the play, but Army's Tyson Quink lays lays flat at the 18-yard line. He is attended to by Army's all-star cast of athletic trainers (yes, I will never refer to you as just a "trainer"!) Quink limps off on his own and it looks like he'll be just fine.
Bowden is back to pass, looking for Dace on the route. The crowd grunts as UNH's Ryan Hinds breaks up the pass around the five. Army's Matt Campbell is sent on the field for his first career FG attempt. The 42-yarder splits the uprights to make the drive worth it...20 seconds left before the half.
Army - 10
UNH - 14
Matt Campbell will stay in to kickoff by Army. UNH's Robert Simpson calls for a fair catch at their own 19-yard-line. The Wildcats will elect to wind the clock down....like ants from the press box view, the teams scamper off towards the locker room.
I'll be back with halftime stats...in the meantime, Ohio still up on Ohio State in the 4th - 14-12! The Gunn Boat is smiling - although keeping it inside. After all, he's a Black Knight now!
THIRD QUARTER
15:00 - Well, it never fails - I have halftime stats all written, a few thank yous for the feedback and then I get a giant ERROR popping up - gotta love technology sometimes. After restarting, I'm sorry to say that UNH has scored again - they got down the field in a hurry and it culminated in a rushing TD from Mike Boyle. Tom Bishop's PAT was good...I wish I had better news...
Drive: 9 plays, 66 yards, 3:34
Army - 10
UNH - 21
Hopefully I'll be able to keep you up-to-date in real time now - barring any more errors. Mealy is deep for the BKs. From the Army 13, Mealy is brought down by Mike Perkins at the 27 with 11:11 (make a wish!) left. An Army player appears to be down on the field...it's Robert McClary, which would be a huge loss for Brock. With the help of Head Athletic Trainer Tim Kelly and his assistants, McClary is helped off the field. I'll keep you updated on his condition as I get word...
10:00 - After a brief break, Mooney goes back to work for a three-yard gain to the Army 30. Dace takes off towads the outside for a gain of one. Army facing 3rd and six from the 31. Bowdin on the keeper - and his seven-yard gain is enough for an Army 1st down on their own 38. Bowdin is now 6-31 on the ground himself. Mooney picks up two and Bowden again opts to keep the ball. He's brought down by Clements, but not before getting about six yards on the carry. Bowdin really seems to be settling down out there - he just seems more comfortable. No matter how many snaps you get in practice, it's got to be tough getting thrown in there during a real game and expecting to be perfect out of the gate...
Mooney picks up nothing on third down, but a gutsy Brock goes for it again. Army picks up five yards thanks to Mealy, but an unsportsman-like conduct call brings the ball back to the Army 36.
Army getting fancy with a lateral to Mealy...it pays off in an eight-yard gain to the Army 34. Flags all over the field - a falsestart charged to Army - pulling the ball back to the 39. Army now has three penalties for 38 yards.
Bowdin gets sacked for a nine yard loss, and Rinehart trots out to punt. From the UNH 20, Boyle runs it back nine yards. Again, flags all over the place - the officials really getting their workout today. A block in the back brings the ball back to the UNH 12. Here's a little trivia for you (which I just found out the other day - it's only taken me a year!) ... with Army being an independent, the officials are all out of the ACC.
5:00 - Ohhhh bummer for Gunny - this just in, Ohio State storms back for a 26-14 win over his Bobcats. What can I say, I'm a sucker for underdogs! I would never tell the Horvath family that - they are the most die-hard Ohio State fans I know. Sarah was a college roommate of mine and the first time that I went to her house outside of Cleveland, her dad had just finished putting the script "Ohio State" on the roof of the house! Mr. Horvath attended OSU for dental school and his son, Denny Jr., is currently in grad school there. I'll be making my first trip out to Columbus this November with the women's basketball team, and I have to admitt, I'm kind of excited to see the place!
While I was rambling, UNH tookover and went right to Scott Sicko for a 15-yard pickup. Toman is looking confident in just his second collegiate start I must say (although my assessment means absolutely zilch). Army's defense is able to come up with a key stop, as UNH sends out the punt team. Carlo Sandiego calls for a fair catch at the Army 13.
A quick hello from everyone here at Army to Maj. Kim Kawamoto! She just checked in from Afganistan! Kim was a basketball player here - and a very good one at that - before coming back to West Point a few years back. She left her post as the Senior Woman Administrator here just a few months back, and we wish her all the best! Kim, I'll give everyone a big HELLO from you!!
After Bowden picks up five, Army's Jeff Hewitt fumbles and UNH has recovered. Hugo Souza runs it back for a touchdown, but hold on here, the play is under review....the play stands.
Army - 10
UNH - 28
Mealy with a 12-yard return. After the play, a personal foul on UNH pushes the spot ahead to the Army 39 with 43 seconds on the clock. Mooney goes through traffic for a five-yard gain. Bowdin on the carry. He picks up another five yards to close the quarter. Army will have the ball on their own 49 when we come back....
FOURTH QUARTER
15:00 - Collin Mooney picks up three and a 1st down for the BKs! Bowdin carries twice but it's not enough as Rinehart goes back out to punt. Boyle is deep for UNH. It's a touchback at 12:30.
Now that we have a break - I have to give a shameless plug. It's now 3:30, which means that the Army volleyball team should be about midway through perhaps its toughest test of the season vs. Bowling Green at the Temple Tournament. The girls defeated the host Owls last night and Fairfield earlier this mornng to stay a perfect 5-0 on the season! In case you haven't heard, the BKs are hosting powerhouse USC in the marquee game of the annual West Point Challenge during Hall of Fame weekend festivities. The match is set for 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 19, and will be played at Christl Arena (rather than the usual Gillis Field House). Coming to the Akron game in a couple of weeks??? Make it a weekend and catch some great volleyball in the process!
Back to the action...UNH picks up a 1st down out of the gate. The rain is starting to pick up - although we've managed to skirt the severe weather thus far. I'm sure that the skies will open up in the Hudson Valley before the day's end, however.
10:00 - Toman finds Sicko for a seven-yard gain. UNH picks up another four for a 1st down at midfield. Another big gain on the ground for the Wildcats for a 1st down on the Army 30.
UNH's Sean Jellison on the carry for an eight-yard gain, moving the ball to the Army 22. Toman goes with Robert Simpson on the next carry and another UNH 1st down with 8:15 on the clock. Chad Kackert on the carry, trying to find a hole on the outside, but picks up three. Kackert on the carry again, but he is met by co-captain John Plumstead and stopped dead in his tracks for no gain. The Army defense coming up again, as UNH sends Tom Bishop out for a FG try. He goes wide right and the score remains 28-10 in favor of the Wildcats.
Army takes over 1st and 10 on their own 20 when we come back...
Carlo Sandiego now behind center for the Black Knights. He started to take snaps this spring with the new offensive system, but has not seen time at QB until now. He engineers an Army 1st down and goes with Bryson Carl out of the backfield. Army now 1st and 10 on the 50.
5:00 - Sandiego on the keeper for no gain. Stan Brock calls timeout with 4:47 on the clock. Carl gets the ball again for a gain of two. Army facing 3rd and 8 from the 48. Wesley McMahand with the carry - his first of the day. He picks up three yards before being shoved out of bounds. Chip Bowdin now returns at QB. His first pass is incomplete.
I have to say that one of the joys of working in this field is when things get screwed up! Keeping stats for anything from soccer, to volleyball to football are at the mercy of technology...sometimes life just doesn't work out....I'm sorry that I didn't get a chance to finish up the game, but I got called on stat duty for a hot minute to help out the crew here. Fortunately, we all make a pretty good team here in the AC office, so we worked together to recreate the 4th quarter from our back-up hand stats and we're good to go...to check out the fruits of our labor, look for a box score shortly.
As you could probably guess after my last real entry, UNH will walk out of here with a 28-10 victory....
We take a week off (try not to miss me too much!) before returning back here to Michie for a Sept. 20 contest against Akron. The game time is yet to be set due to television. Check back with www.goARMYsports.com early this week for an official time.
I guess it's that time to sign-off. Everyone have a great rest of the weekend and try to stay dry! Also, thanks for all of the emails and comments - I really appreciate it. Hope to hear from you in two weeks!
GO ARMY! BEAT NAVY!
