Army West Point Athletics
Army Closes Season Ranked In National Polls
January 08, 2019 | Football
WEST POINT, N.Y. – Army West Point football achieved its final goal of the 2018 season when it was announced that the Black Knights were ranked in both national polls to close out the year.Â
The Cadets found themselves at No. 19 in the Associated Press Poll and No. 20 in the Amway Coaches Poll.
"We are incredibly excited to have earned the recognition of the Associated Press and the Amway Coaches Poll as one of the nation's top teams in 2018," head coach Jeff Monken said. "Our team set a pre-season goal to finish in the top-25 and I am so proud of this accomplishment for our players, our staff, and especially our seniors. This honor brings distinction to West Point, the Long Gray Line, and the men and women who serve our nation around the world in the United States Army."
The Black Knights' season was highlighted by an 11-win campaign, marking the first time in program history they've achieved that feat. Another high point was winning the Commander In Chief's Trophy outright in back-to-back seasons for the first time in Academy lore.
Don't forget about Army's second consecutive undefeated streak at historic Michie Stadium as the Cadets finished 6-0 and extended their home unbeaten streak to 13-straight games. The Black Knights finished with just two losses on the year, one coming in their opener at Duke and the other in an overtime thriller at College Football Playoff Participant Oklahoma back in September. Since that loss to the Sooners, however, Army has rattled off nine wins in a row to hold the second-longest overall unbeaten streak in the nation.
And how about the Cadets' performance in the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl. Army registered 70 points to tie an FBS bowl record, while junior quarterback Kelvin Hopkins Jr. became the first Black Knight ever to run and pass for over 1,000 yards in a single season. Let's also not forget what Army's defense did toward the end of the season. The Cadets finished the year allowing just 14 or less points to their last five opponents.
Army's final AP ranking is its best since 1958 when it closed out the year the No. 3 team in the country. This is the Black Knights' first finish in the Amway Coaches Poll since ranking 24th at the conclusion of the 1996 season*.
*The 1996Â poll was named the USA Today/CNN Coaches Poll.
To view the polls
Associated Press Poll
Amway Coaches Poll
